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

By John Shaughnessy, OSV News

INDIANAPOLIS — Bob Willoughby has a demeanor that draws people in easily, which was evident when he laughed and remarked that his photo could be found on the wall of the post office. However, his expression turned to reverence when discussing the impact of the Eucharist on his life.

“It may take a while for me to explain,” he said near the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, one of the main venues for the National Eucharistic Congress, which has drawn 50,000 Catholics from across the country from July 17-21. “It means everything to me. The church is built around the Eucharist. If we don’t have the Eucharist, we don’t have the church. That’s how important it is,” he told The Criterion, newspaper of the Indianapolis Archdiocese.

His daughter Ambrosia shared similar sentiments: “The Eucharist allows me to know that when Jesus says he remains with me always, that’s the truth. It doesn’t matter where I go or what I go through; he’s in every part of my being when I receive him.”

Ambrosia's friend Alison Vigland added, “For me, it’s just the beauty of it. I’m a big hiker. I like outdoor stuff, but when I see a monstrance with the Eucharist in it during adoration, that is just the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Their shared devotion led them — along with Bob’s wife and Ambrosia’s mother, Santiaga — to travel from Dallas for this five-day event.

John and Leigh Becker also expressed awe about the power of the Eucharist and Eucharistic adoration in their lives. John became emotional discussing how his wife has deepened his relationship with Christ over their 38 years together.

“She was my anchor who brought me closer to my faith,” he said.

He described how moving from Illinois to Iowa City three years ago affected his practice: “In our previous parish in Illinois — St. Philomena in Peoria — I went regularly to adoration for 20 some years. St. Thomas More, our parish now, doesn’t offer that, but I work up in Cedar Rapids (Iowa) and St. Patrick Church there has perpetual adoration.”

Leigh emphasized her desire to deepen her faith: “My faith is important to me and so is deepening my faith... The more I learn, the more I want to learn and just grow in that deeper relationship with Jesus.”

She noted a sense of community at the congress: “It’s amazing... To be surrounded by all these people who believe the same thing is amazing and empowering.”

Leigh looked forward to participating in a Eucharistic procession through Indianapolis on July 20: “It sounds amazing to me to have that many people pouring out into the streets for Jesus."

Regardless of media coverage on this event, Leigh maintained her focus on her relationship with Christ: “I’ve turned to Christ a lot of times in moments of difficulty... He always gives me strength.”