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

INDIANAPOLIS — During the five-day 10th National Eucharistic Congress held July 17-21, 50,000 Catholics attended Masses, listened to speakers and music, and prayed in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Among the attendees were parishioners from across the Archdiocese of Louisville — clergy, parish staff, families, students, single people, and retirees.

Karen Purnell, a parishioner of St. Athanasius Church, remarked on the unity displayed at the event. “You get this feeling that it is a really big church,… bound together in the communion of the Eucharist,” she said between sessions.

The gathering in Indianapolis was part of a three-year initiative sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The initiative, known as the National Eucharistic Revival, aims to unify and renew the American Catholic Church with a focus on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Each full day of the Congress began with a family rosary and concluded with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Lucas Oil Stadium. In addition to nightly revival sessions at the stadium, registrants had access to various faith-growing opportunities at venues like Indiana Convention Center.

An exposition hall was open daily for participants to explore religious orders, ministries, and Catholic businesses. Other activities included exhibits on eucharistic miracles and listening to live recordings of Catholic podcasts. There was also an opportunity to participate in meal packaging for those in need through Million Meal Movement.

Masses were celebrated in different forms including Byzantine Divine Liturgy and Syro-Malabar Qurbānā. Liturgies were also conducted in Spanish along with a special youth Mass.

On July 20th, tens of thousands participated in a procession through downtown Indianapolis carrying the Blessed Sacrament.

“All these people are strangers but you don’t feel like strangers because of communion of faith,” said Theresa Watson from St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Fairdale, Ky.

Debbie Shearn from St. Albert the Great Church described adoration as “a true taste of heaven.” She added that during eucharistic adoration she felt like being "on Mount Tabor with Jesus at Transfiguration."

Debbie Minton from St. Athanasius Church noted that “the reverence draws you in.”

Dr. Holly Smith-Brooks from St. Margaret Mary Church mentioned being moved to tears during opening session when four routes converged into Lucas Oil Stadium followed by adoration.

Emiliegh Ledgerwood from St. Margaret Mary Church expressed gratitude for attending saying “Our cup is being filled.”

Ledgerwood recalled going for reconciliation on opening night upon encouragement by Father Josh Johnson one among three emcees at Congress saying they couldn’t wait even as line kept growing longer behind them.

Steven & Joelle Schlotter attended Congress for two days along their four children: Mary Beth (8), Ben (6), Eli (3) & Noah (2). Joelle noted her relief over making kids wear matching yellow shirts amidst many children attending Congress too participating under ‘Cultivate’ track designed specifically for families engaging them via puppet shows about Eucharist arts crafts family conversations suggesting age-appropriate ways serving each other like giving hugs or fetching mails while also including guided family adoration allowing kids not needing staying quiet throughout time spent there

Cathy Cooke reflecting emotionally how first such event held after long gap spanning eighty-three years wishing everyone could experience same feeling increasing her own faith anew reviving it once again becoming alive instead turning complacent