Although the event is more than a year away, the capstone of the national Eucharistic Revival in the United States has opened for registration. Organizers are hoping to fill a 70,000-seat stadium and other venues in Indianapolis for the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress.
“The National Eucharistic Congress is the milestone moment of a three-year initiative of the USCCB designed to renew the Catholic Church in the United States by bringing forth an encounter with the living Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” according to a press release from the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc. “A reinstitution of a fruitful tradition not seen in America since the start of World War II, and fit for our Church's moment of mission, the 10th National Eucharistic Congress invites a movement of the faithful, by way of pilgrimage, to share in a celebration of the gift of Christ’s love in the Eucharist July 17-21, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.”
“On behalf of the executive team for the National Eucharistic Congress, we are thrilled to finally extend an open invitation for Catholics across the country to officially reserve their spots at this once-in-a-generation event,” said Tim Glemkowski, executive director of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc. “God is doing something big here. It is our hope that this movement of the Holy Spirit brings healing, conversion, and unity to our Church.”
God is doing something big here. It is our hope that this movement of the Holy Spirit brings healing, conversion, and unity to our Church
The Congress – the first such event in the U.S. in decades – has been planned as part of a multi-year effort to renew Catholics’ faith in the central sacrament of their Church.
The revival came about following reports of public surveys showing that disturbing proportions of Catholics believe that the Eucharist is merely a symbol, rather than the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
5-day event
Lucas Oil Stadium, with a capacity of nearly 70,000, is the hub of the five-day Eucharistic Congress. Additional events within walking distance will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Convention Center, and other venues. Registration, which includes a “Congress Pass,” offers participants entrance to all Congress programming such as general sessions, catechetical sessions, and breakouts along with arena seating at Mass, evening concerts, and all entertainment.
Additionally, registrants are welcome at Congress Central with a vendor hall located in the Indiana Convention Center, open daily featuring more than 200 Catholic organizations and artisans. Access to the National Eucharistic Congress app is included with registration, and special discounted rates are being offered at more than 25 area hotels where pilgrims can reserve lodging.
The large-scale event will feature personalized track experiences based on one’s individual ministry journey. Youth groups and families are also invited to attend with special programming geared toward children ages 12-18.
Opportunities for faith enrichment will abound at the Congress. There will be numerous chapels, prayer experiences, various areas for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and multiple liturgies from a variety of rites offered daily with a final liturgical celebration on the last day that will unite all participants in worship of the Eucharist.
“There is power when Catholics gather in worship and prayer before the Eucharist – Jesus is going to move, not only in our hearts, but He is going to bring hope and healing through our prayer to a world in desperate need of it,” said Joel Stepanek, Chief Mission Officer for the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc.
A preliminary schedule of events for the Congress is available at www.eucharisticcongress.org.
More details including speaker lineup, talk/track titles, and room locations/assignments will be added in the months leading up to the event. Individuals are encouraged to sign up to receive event updates by email and to download the National Eucharistic Congress app for notifications in real time.
Registration for individuals and groups can be completed at https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/.
