Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

An impressive number of religious orders were visibly present at the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC), including the Marian Sisters, the School Sisters of Christ the King, and the Knights of the Holy Eucharist from the Diocese of Lincoln. Sister Cecilia Joseph Nguyen, CMRM, also attended. Back home, many members of these orders were able to watch the Congress via EWTN.

Organizers have not yet determined how many different religious orders were there. Bishop Andrew Cozzens joked, “There’s a saying in the Church that even God does not know how many religious orders there are.”

Among various orders wearing grey habits were three Marian Sisters, including Sister Kathryn Maney.

One of the things that struck Sister Kathryn about the Congress was the wide array of people she saw there.

“I kept thinking, these people are from all walks of life in the United States and elsewhere, who all want to know the Lord and grow in their love and knowledge of Him and share that with others,” she said. “I will never know the magnitude of what I just experienced, especially on the supernatural level.”

Just two days before boarding the bus to Indianapolis, Sister Kathryn had celebrated her 25th jubilee with the community—the 25th anniversary of her final profession of vows—so her heart was already full of gratitude for her vocation when she arrived. However, the celebration had just begun because everywhere any religious sister went during the congress, people would thank her for her vocation.

Then, as Sister Kathryn and all other religious sisters assembled to take their part in Saturday’s Eucharistic procession, more than a thousand priests spontaneously erupted into grateful applause to see so many women who had answered "the call to be a visible sign of the Church," she noted.

“It’s humbling because all I did was say yes,” Sister Kathryn said.

She and other religious remained faithful to their daily rhythms of prayer and adoration despite an unusual schedule. Plus there was "the inevitable decibel level" with more than 60,000 people in one space. So much did Sister Kathryn long for silence that when she found herself alone for "the first time all day," she felt prompted by God to go to perpetual adoration across St. John The Evangelist parish for a break from excitement.

“It was packed,” Sister Kathryn recalled. “Every day we began with Mass and closed with adoration." Since it was a Eucharistic Congress," it was fitting that those two would be bookend." Perpetual Adoration helped keep "the Eucharist centered during each day."

Mother Margaret Mary C.K., agreed: “All day long every day there were hundreds upon hundreds adoring our Lord…continuous streams making it difficult even genuflecting when entering or leaving.”

Mother Margaret Mary joined 23 School Sisters Of Christ The King traveling NEC describing experience as “a beautiful initiative renewal” within country:

“The Holy Spirit moved my heart deep desire sisters participate support experience congress.” We want Jesus known loved adored."

Mother Margaret Mary knew Congress opportunity deepen charism aspects:

“Our charism joyful fidelity Christ King developing ever-growing love instilling students bearing witness daily lives."

She found every single aspect helpful—from Mass/adoration speakers/procession—to serving Communion ushers stadium:

“Our people need vibrant joyful witness life."

Returning motherhouse near Lincoln Mother Margaret Mary observed joy gratitude awe deepened love Eucharist King greater zeal spreading His Kingdom:

“I could go on about grace-filled moving experience each us!” Fruits surely flow forth!”

Brother Michael Mary vicar Knights Holy Eucharist participated alongside nine brother Knights whose charism is adoring Jesus while striving observe Gospels imitating Saint Francis through poverty chastity obedience attending described no-brainer:

“Why miss opportunity fellow Catholics revitalizing churches fostering reverent devotion Holy Eucharist?”

Brother Michael noted importance spiritually rejuvenating experiences ongoing formation:

“Just like any human strengths weaknesses praise God both.” Continuing “We courage hearing God calling moment help revitalize awareness/adoration.”

Brothers attended impact sessions gleaned information shared renewed passion vocation:

“To see ministry 20-40-60 years same need source filled Jesus pouring out abundance Grace living within us.”

Several Knights enjoyed meeting acquaintances collecting prayer intentions laity running low business cards young men expressing interest order knowing more about order

Brother Michael expressed encouragement seeing diverse sisters brothers habits Congress:

“That apostolate presence” he stated “Witness ordinary called extraordinary vocation”