We Came Rejoicing and Adoring

I attended the 10th National Eucharistic Revival Congress July 15-21 and I have SO MANY THINGS TO REFLECT ON!!! I won't flood you the reader with them all at once, but I will be releasing reflections over the next couple of months. Please enjoy, and let me know if you were also there and what your thoughts were!

________

I really wasn’t ready for just how many people would attend the Eucharistic Congress. I knew The goal was to fill Lucas Oil Stadium as much as possible—it can hold 80,000 people max—but to say it and fully understand it are two completely different things. Fill it they did! 

The final count was somewhere around 60,000 in attendance, as folks trickled in throughout the Congress from Wednesday to Sunday. Even during check in I still couldn’t grasp the fact that tens of thousands of Catholics were practically taking over Indianapolis! All four streets surrounding the stadium and conference center were barricaded from ongoing traffic—which was incredibly helpful!

It took what seemed hours to find the end of the line to begin the checkin process, let alone actually walk the line! When my group finally found the end of the line there was dancing and cheering from an incredible hospitality team. It was too contagious not to greet others reaching the end with us in the same manner. I was quickly reminded of the Israelites first leaving Egypt and escaping the clutches of pharaoh, some tasting true freedom for the first time in their lives. We hadn’t attended our first talk of the Congress by this point and I was already set on fire by the witness of so many people. 

Even as we thought we’d never reach the end of the line, I couldn’t help feel overwhelmed yet again with joy. Joy from seeing so many religious brothers and sisters, as well as families and individuals who had traveled for this historic moment. People were literally singing praise and worship songs, passing out ministries fliers and bottles of water, and taking every opportunity to meet new faces. I even ran into people I wasn’t expecting to see while in line! 

Throughout the week there was a parish located across the street from the convention center, St. John the Evangelist. The parish community was generous enough to give up their home to us pilgrims for the entire week so that we could have perpetual adoration all day every day. After I was checked in I decided to go over to the church and sit in adoration for a little while. 

I tend to people-watch when there are a bunch of folks gathered in one area, and this church was no exception. Many people had the same idea after checking in since there wasn't a main event until that evening, and a sister was leading those there through a guided meditation for the hour. It was incredibly peaceful, and if anything it was a chance to simply get out of the heat for a brief moment and sit with Our Lord. 

While in my holy hour I noticed something I’ve never witnessed before. Although the church was crowded, a handful of individuals chose to never turn their back on Christ in the Eucharist. They slowly walked—some of them even crawled—backwards when they left the church. They made sure not to run into anyone, but still others saw this simple act of faith and helped ensure their path was uninterrupted. Out of reverence and love of the Lord, they didn’t turn away from Him while in His presence. I couldn’t stop staring and felt myself drawn to watch in curious wonder. Those individuals made it seem like they were alone with their Lord, even among all of these people. How beautiful it was!

I was never brave enough to do it myself, but I truly took that moment to heart and held onto it for the rest of the week. I allowed myself to feel alone in a crowded room, as long as I remembered I was always alone with Christ and doing everything for Christ. It was in those simple, small moments that my heart felt joy and peace, rejoicing, and adoration all at once. I didn't always have to concern myself with what my group was doing, it was ok if I wanted to go explore on my own. I could still be present with them throughout the Congress, but I also allowed myself to retreat to the quiet places of my heart in the packed stadium and confrence center, surrounded by the TRU presence of Our Lord.

I never thought I’d feel all of this before the Congress even started! The fun was still yet to come…

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord,         for he is highly exalted.     Both horse and driver         he has hurled into the sea.     The Lord is my strength and my defense         he has become my salvation.     He is my God, and I will praise him,         my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:1-2, The Song of Moses and Miriam

You can find the full keynote talks from the Congress at Relevant Radio

---

Want to help me leave social media behind? Share my blogs with someone who you think would enjoy my little nuggets of wisdom! Please feel free to also check out my ongoing projects and ways that you can support me as a freelancer—and avid crocheter!

________

________

---