As I write these words, I am returning from the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Over several days, more than 100,000 people visited the Congress with daily gatherings of 50,000. The daily schedule included Mass, adoration, talks, prayer of every kind and fellowship across acres of hotels, restaurants and the massive convention center. Each evening, we filled Lucas Oil Stadium for three hours of song, inspiration, and adoration.
I have been a priest for more than 30 years and a bishop for five. I have participated in Papal Masses and lived in Rome during the 2000 Holy Year. Still, I never experienced anything quite like this. It was not the massive scale of the event, but the spirit that made this gathering so unique. Something happened in Indianapolis that is hard to describe. The witnesses that were offered, the praise of God and the adoration of Our Lord overwhelmed me and so many others with a deep sense of joy, gratitude, and love. On the last night I stood in that throng belting out the songs with tears streaming down my face and knew in my bones that the Spirit was moving in that place.
We came from every state in the Union and beyond. More than 100 pilgrims came to the Congress from Rhode Island and we brought our flag and our “state of hope” with us. One of the highlights for me was to celebrate Holy Mass with our Rhode Island contingent. I am so grateful to Rev. Phillip J. Dufour for his leadership of Eucharistic Revival efforts. All of our pilgrims, myself included, also owe a debt of gratitude to Paige Gorewitz for her amazing efforts over more than a year to plan and organize our trip. Strengthened by her husband, Ben, Paige shepherded us through the details and events of this massive gathering with generosity and grace. I think that Paige could run a small country and the world would be better for it!
During the pilgrimage, I spent much time praying for our diocese and its priests, religious and faithful. More than once, I wished that all of you could have been with us there to experience the grace of the gathering. It is a blessing that we had our group of pilgrims to represent and intercede for the whole diocese and I will count on our pilgrims to bring something of that experience home with them. Please know that we carried you in our hearts.
Many of the talks and liturgies are available through EWTN and YouTube. I hope that you take the opportunity to watch some of those videos. They cannot entirely capture the spirit of that place and moment, but the content in those talks is superb and will bring blessings to any that hear them with an open, trusting heart.
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress, the first one in 80 years, has concluded. Just as at the conclusion of Holy Mass, the participants were told to “Go!” and share the love, mercy, and grace of the Lord. Even as the Congress concludes, the Revival continues. I know that this extraordinary gathering was a beginning and not an end. In those days I saw the greatness of God and the deep and abiding faith of His people. We have been through decades of institutional decline and many of us have become tired and discouraged. Take heart, even in the depths of winter God awakens the seeds of spring! God’s goodness never fails, and His promises are true. It’s time to remember the Lord, to acclaim His Holy Name, and to live His Eucharistic gift. It’s time for REVIVAL!
