Historic revival energizes faithful
August 13, 2024
The historic National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis last month fed the hearts and souls of 60,000 people who attended, including about 300 from the Diocese. And many people will continue to learn, deepen their faith, and find healing from the insights of the speakers through their talks available online.
“The thing I love the most about this conference is the Church is alive,” said Julie Nelson, of Sacred Heart Parish in West Des Moines. “Seeing all the priests and the bishops really melts my heart and gives me so much hope.”
Joy and love permeated the air at the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years.
“We are big and powerful and beautiful in Christ Jesus as the Catholic Church,” said Tom Quinlan, also of Sacred Heart and director of the St. Joseph Evangelization Center in West Des Moines. “I’ll be going home to Des Moines with joy and hope in our renewal in our Catholic faith.”
Evening adoration, particularly on the first night, left people in awe.
The four National Eucharistic Pilgrimages converged at Lucas Oil Stadium for adoration.
“It was breathtaking,” said Shannon Nye, of St. Patrick Parish in Neola. “There are no words to describe the feeling. They said ‘He is here.’ You got goosebumps. The whole room was silent. It was just... tears. You could hear sniffing.”
Maryanne Dailey, of St. Patrick Parish in Imogene, agreed.
“Just being in adoration with 50,000 people was so moving and so beautiful,” she said. “When there was just silence, everybody was feeling Jesus. I don’t know how you couldn’t feel Jesus last night. And the Holy Spirit was alive. I can’t explain it. It was wonderful.”
“My favorite part of the Eucharistic Congress was adoration on the first night,” said seminarian Mike Posegate, of St. Pius X Parish in Urbandale. “Just to see everyone be silent and adoring our Lord in the Eucharist was really a powerful and beautiful moment that I’ll never forget.”
Despite lines to get in and for food, people seemed to be energized by the crowd.
“It’s overwhelming the number of people,” said Deacon Mark Campbell of the Basilica of St. John. “There’s so much joy. Everybody seems to be happy.”
“It’s been an awesome experience to be here,” said Father Julius Itamid, administrator of St. Patrick Parish in Neola and St. Columbanus in Weston. “It’s been a renewal of my faith, my priesthood, my zeal for the Eucharist, my soul and my love for the Church.”
Speakers focused on the gifts that stem from the Eucharist like healing and hope.
“Our hope is in the Lord who has already won the victory and delivered us,” said Bishop William Joensen, adding that Jesus wants to be with us and to have us bring others to God, the Father.
Colleen and Paul Tauke, of St. John Parish in Adel, were amazed by the connections weaved through meeting various people, by adoration opportunities, and the Masses.
Colleen, a quilter, said all those small conversations about families, kids, and parishes have something in common.
“We’re all trying to make that love connection,” she said.
What struck Paul was when one of the speakers said knowledge is good but love makes you a saint.
He wondered how pilgrims to the Eucharistic Congress could bring back to their parishes the energy they found in celebrating the faith.
“How can we share that love you get from the Eucharist with people, especially people who have left the Church? How can we bring them back?” he said.
Nelson pondered the same.
“How can we bring this back to Des Moines? How can I bring this back to Sacred Heart? How can we as a Church keep this going after the conference is over?” she asked.
Father Litto Thomas, of St. Patrick Parish in Perry, said the Eucharistic Congress was “a testament to the strength and vibrancy of our Church. The Eucharist truly brings us together. It’s a sacrament of unity.”
Seminarians and Father Max Carson gather before a session at the National Eucharistic Congress.
Parishioners of St. Patrick Parish in Imogene traveled to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress.