Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana | Priests and lay people conversing with the homeless, nuns praying on the sidewalk, a stranger sharing his conversion story on a curb, smiling crowds singing prayers in the streets – these scenes represented the Eucharist alive in downtown Indianapolis. The hope is that the lasting effects of the National Eucharistic Congress, held from July 17-21, will be carried home by each participant.

Ricardo and Ana, along with their children Isabella and Isaac, traveled from Altamonte Springs where they are parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen. They are already implementing what they learned at the congress into their daily lives.

Ricardo and Ana’s love for the Eucharist dates back to their childhoods. Ana recalled feeling Christ’s unconditional love during Adoration at age 13. Eighteen years ago, her first date with Ricardo included a stop at the tabernacle to pray before dinner. Ricardo said they attended the congress as a family “because we also want the children to have that deep love for God in the Eucharist and to encounter Him.” They also wanted them to experience the diversity and vibrancy of the Church.

Mornings began with Mass and “impact sessions” aimed at opening pilgrims’ hearts to divine messages for that day. Talks catered to everyone from beginners to theological experts; youth, families, and clergy were catechized. Evening “revival sessions” featured prominent Catholic speakers such as Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota; Father Mike Schmitz from Duluth; and Sister Josephine Garrett of Hope Stories podcast fame. Music accompanied evening Eucharistic Adoration.

Ricardo noted it would take time before they fully understood their experiences at the congress. He planned to spend a week praying, meditating, and reflecting on what God wants to reveal through this experience. Sharing his reflections with friends, he stated: “The Lord is wanting to give us all these graces we haven’t realized yet. But if we spend time with Him, we can start to understand and savor them.”

One such grace involves healing within his own family dynamics. Ricardo mentioned growing in patience with family members: “As we heal from those mistakes...we can really heal those relationships and start living as God envisioned.”

Ana found practical tips suited for her family through attending sessions like “Cultivate.” She shared insights about integrating prayer, play, work, and talk into their lives: “We’ve talked about sharing...so we don’t forget all we learned,” she said.

Isabella was particularly moved by meeting joyful religious sisters whose testimonies inspired her faith journey: “The sisters were so happy...I feel more prepared to help [my friend] grow in faith,” she said.

Ricardo appreciated his children witnessing such joy firsthand: "It was beautiful for them to see other young women in religious life that were so full of joy."

Eight-year-old Isaac participated in leading a Eucharistic procession through downtown Indianapolis on July 20th alongside other children who made their First Holy Communion this year.

More than 50,000 pilgrims walked one mile to Indiana War Memorial where they gathered around the Blessed Sacrament perched above them on memorial steps.

A large banner reading "These roads lead to revival" marked the beginning of this procession – encapsulating U.S bishops' hopes for parishes nationwide as articulated by Diocese of Orlando Bishop John Noonan: "The Eucharist came alive with people," he said adding how deeply touched he felt witnessing it all unfold firsthand.

Click here for a reel on the Eucharistic Congress.

By Glenda Meekins of Florida Catholic Staff

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