Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

National Eucharistic Congress attendees are likely to recognize the faces of the daily revival session emcees, who are known for their prominent media presence and various ministries. Montse Alvarado, Sister Miriam James Heidland, and Father Josh Johnson will host the multi-hour sessions, which feature some of the most popular speakers at the congress, such as Bishop Robert E. Barron, Father Mike Schmitz, and Jonathan Roumie.

Alvarado is president and COO of EWTN News and founding anchor of the weekly show “News in Depth.” Sister Miriam, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, is an author known for leading healing retreats for priests and sisters and hosting the podcast “Abiding Together.” Father Johnson, a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is host of the “Ask Father Josh” podcast, in which he answers questions about living the Catholic faith. He has also written several books including the “Pocket Guide to Adoration.”

Scheduled for July 17-21 in Indianapolis, the National Eucharistic Congress is part of a three-year initiative by U.S. bishops launched in 2022 to inspire greater understanding and love for Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. The revival sessions aim to bring together approximately 50,000 participants at Lucas Oil Stadium during four evenings with a morning session planned on its final day ahead of its closing Mass.

Revival sessions are scheduled from 7-10 p.m. ET Wednesday (July 17), 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday (July 18), 7-9:30 p.m. Friday (July 19), 7-10 p.m. Saturday (July 20) and from 8:30 a.m.-noon Sunday (July 21). They will be livestreamed on www.eucharisticcongress.org and broadcast live by Eternal Word Television Network and Relevant Radio.

Father Johnson said that emcees will not only introduce speakers but also "prayerfully sit with their talks as they’re speaking" before giving follow-up reflections. For him, this role aligns with his goal of bringing people closer to the Eucharist.

“My entire priesthood has been about pointing people to the Eucharist,” he told OSV News.

The revival structure aims to provide space for pastoral care by encouraging participants to reflect deeply on speaker messages through prayerful engagement.

The sessions include Eucharistic adoration, processions, prayers for healing, worship music from Dave and Lauren Moore—co-founders of Catholic Music Initiative—and worship led by Catholic musician Matt Maher on Saturday evening.

While sessions will primarily be in English, Alvarado plans to welcome attendees in Spanish at each session. She believes her bilingual capabilities offer significant value to the congress.

“The church in the United States is so unique because we are such a microcosm of the global church,” she said.

Alvarado has been preparing intensely through prayer and adoration. She emphasized that while planning is essential, responding dynamically during each session based on audience needs will be crucial.

“There’s only so much planning you can do because you’re responding to a 40,000-person audience,” she added.

Father Johnson expressed hope that attendees leave with an increased desire for Eucharistic adoration: “My first desire is like ‘Lord I hope that people just desire to sit with you more,’” he said.

He highlighted that historically significant works were often fruits of deep adoration: “It’s ministries and apostolates that are fruit...of our relationship with Jesus Christ.”