Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau
Sr. France Vista, the Director of Catholic Native Ministry for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau is grateful to have been able to take four young adults to D.C. to attend the 10th Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July 2024.
From the first day to the very last day, it was overwhelmingly inspirational to witness thousands upon thousands flocking to the stadium and to the convention center. To see many faithful Catholics who had planned their personal time, to witness an unimaginable event, to not know what to expect except for what was advertised about the sessions one signed-up for, three hours of revival every night, star studded speakers and the long, long lines. But this did not deter the faithful and they were ready to be surprised. One of the attendees said, that she was hoping that the congress would be everything she was hoping it to be and her young daughter replied, it won’t be everything you are hoping it to be, it will be everything you need it to be.
What made the people come? I believe, the visual advertisement of Jesus (bread) in the monstrance and the very title of “Eucharistic Congress “was the “hype” “the excitement” “the hysteria” “the frenzy”. One may want to give it another name, but I think, God’s people heard the calling and the faithful of all ages came: the blind, the lame, the young, the old, the people in wheelchairs and on crutches, many young families with children, the clergy, women and men religious, the bishops, the cardinals, etc.
The congress did not disappoint the faithful. Despite the evangelical megachurch atmosphere of the Lucas Oil Stadium setting with some unfamiliar Christian electronic infused music led by worship bands, interspersed with known speakers, some familiar traditional songs and then the unexpected presence of the Monstrance culminated the nightly revival. The exposition was accompanied by the traditional eucharistic songs, and the 50,000 people filled stadium turned into silence, people fell on their knees, the unfamiliar became familiar, the crowed was transformed and the reverence took over. “…the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it”. (John 1:5) What was presented for five days may not last in everyone’s memory but Jesus’ presence with God’s people worshiping Him nightly and people processing to follow Him on the streets on the last day will never leave one’s memory.
My four young adults, who grew up far from the hustle and bustle of urban civilization, have not experienced anything close to this, much more so a church sponsored event as vast as this. After watching them and hearing their comments, they were inspired by the many people who came to witness, pray, listen, and learn. They were enthused and touched by many testimonials of God’s love for them and what the eucharist means to them.
