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

Cathedral Woman Named Director of Pilgrimages with the National Eucharistic Congress

Corbin Hubbell, Southern Nebraska Register: I want to talk a little bit about how you got involved with this National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. How were you selected to help organize not one, but two of these national routes?

Maria Benes: Through our work with the Before Gethsemane Initiative, (my colleague) Chanel Shaw and I have made a lot of connections, and great friends, at the national level. And one of our friends, who was the founder of FemCatholic, Sam Pavlok, told Chanel they were looking for these project leads. Chanel applied and said, “Maria, they need another one. You want to work together on a second job?” And obviously I love working with her, and I applied.

…The Eucharist has been such a huge part of my faith story. St. Clare of Assisi was my Confirmation saint, and I know many people are familiar with her story of the soldiers holding up the monstrance and protecting the convent, knowing that our Lord and the Blessed Sacrament was going to keep them all safe. And so it just seemed like a great fit.

I know they were also looking for individuals with experience talking to different groups of people. And both Chanel and I, through our work with the Before Gethsemane Initiative, and my work with (teaching political science at a university), being a Focus missionary; we both had quite a lot of experience talking to different groups of people.

SNR: I’m sure you had challenges or difficulties or bumps in the road. Can you tell us a little bit about how you might have overcome some of those challenges?

Benes: I learned very early on that Jesus was the architect behind this or it would have never happened. Tim Glemkowski, the CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress often (said) this almost didn’t happen—the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. They tried asking several groups to do this, and it was thought impossible. And to be honest, I think even our pilgrimage team would say it would have been impossible without Jesus behind it.

One of my favorite stories to tell is when I got to San Francisco at the beginning in May. I arrived a few days before we’re about to cross the Golden Gate Bridge with Jesus, and I go to the Chancery and the team there starts by saying “we have a huge problem”—not something you want to hear right before you’re about to start this major thing.... We’re so thankful for all the authorities and their help around the country but in this case at the last minute there was a change from authorities that we had to be off the bridge by 3 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., And then on top of it… we had 975 people register but then over 4,000 showed up! We had to somehow get 4,000 people off Golden Gate Bridge from this Eucharistic procession in an hour!

And thanks be to God we don’t know how we did it but we got front line off in time—(there were) still people trickling behind—but authorities were happy and it all worked out beautifully! (To this day still hear) stories how that procession impacted people around country—and world actually.

Then obviously there were challenges throughout two months—our perpetual pilgrims were rock stars—those young adults seriously heroic could not done without each every one them.

SNR: I'm curious how this pilgrimage has impacted your devotion to our Lord in Eucharist?

Benes: I was cradle Catholic so obviously grew up believing in Eucharist but there's something said doing something scale really letting our Eucharistic Lord lead—I’ve done lot amazing things career which thankful for but first time it's been something completely centered Blessed Sacrament Him leading way—in fact many pictures videos priests carrying monstrance can’t even see priest’s face—it is Jesus center focus—that itself has been just so beautiful really let Him lead receptive Holy Spirit.

Final thing would say when teaching University Nebraska-Lincoln one semester taught class honors program students…several US professors teaching different sections—it life skills class way—and one weeks theme religion personal beliefs values—one questions asked students “Are there values or people you die for?”

Think had about 90 students semester would say only half actually someone value die for—a lot like ‘you know really believe this really love person but not enough die them’—and really interesting thing reflect on—

Have thought lately when go receive Eucharist Mass that would die Jesus Blessed Sacrament—our world hungry someone die for—Jesus died us now give lives Him carrying crosses daily—that’s just something thought whole process being involved Eucharistic pilgrimage—

SNR: Looking forward next Eucharistic Congress 2033 nine years now what long-term vision until then what plan?

Benes: That’s important question right? Will say some fun news likely will be another Eucharistic Congress before then because reception overwhelmingly positive—not sure yet likely won’t wait nine years fortunately—but talked end Congress called go message does not stay us idea those 60k people five days came Lucas Oil Stadium commissioned go forth share message others—

National Eucharistic revival started campaign “Walk One” that's everybody! Know not everybody able attend Congress if weren’t many keynotes even breakout sessions online especially recommend watching Masses adoration gosh praying 60k stadium whether house impactful moments me—

But called go walk person Jesus calling natural way look already circle continue form relationships invite relationship Jesus God amazing things do that—

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After interview Maria Benes promoted Director Pilgrimages National Eucharistic Congress

“I will coordinate next summer’s pilgrimage Indianapolis Los Angeles hope one pilgrimage every year,” she said “I big shoes fill following Will Peterson excited keep mission going!”