Pope Francis encouraged and imparted his blessing to all those participating in the National Eucharistic Congress in the USA, to be held in Indianapolis from July 17 to 21, 2024, in a letter published on July 9 and addressed to his papal representative to the event, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
“All participants in this event will be encouraged so that, united with Jesus in the Most Sacred Sacrament of our redemption, they are fully aware of the universal gifts they receive from heavenly food and can impart them to others,” the Pope wrote in the letter, published in Latin. “The faithful who approach the heavenly banquet, strengthened by the protection of heaven, are able to work more vigorously and diligently in supporting their daily duties.”
“For from the angelic bread, springing forth as if from a spiritual fountain, the wholesomeness and abundance of the Lord's benefits flow abundantly and flow down,” the Pontiff wrote.
He asked Cardinal Tagle, who is the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, to “encourage a more vigorous worship of the Eucharist” and to “express our benevolence to all participants.”
A long journey ...
The Church in the US has been preparing the National Eucharistic Congress, the first in the country in over 50 years, for the last year as a central point in its National Eucharistic Revival.
This initiative has been filled with events and activities promoting a rediscovery of the Eucharist and the faith, including four pilgrimage routes that have spanned across the country with Indianapolis as the final destination.
After the National Eucharistic Congress, the Revival will go into its final phase, the Year of Missionary Sending, to coincide with the 2025 Jubilee celebrated by the universal Church.
“We were very pleased to hear the news about the National Eucharistic Congress in the United States of America,” Pope Francis’ letter said. “We wish that the faithful, refreshed with heavenly food, may achieve a happier age and spiritual prosperity.”
“Be the conciliator of the heavenly truth of the gifts and be the announcement of the blessing, which we most willingly impart to you, Our Venerable Brother, in the Lord, and which we wish to extend to all those assembled,” the Pontiff wrote to Cardinal Tagle.
Cardinal Tagle's role
The Filippino prelate was nominated by Pope Francis as his envoy to the event last May and will celebrate the closing mass at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana on July 21.
“We are certain that the sacred mystery of Christ's Body and Blood will still occupy a visible place in all churches throughout the world,” the Pope wrote “Again and again we fix our eyes on him, in which, hoping for the multitude of God's mercies, we ask God for days that we may have some share with the holy apostles and martyrs born in heaven.”
