Two local Catholics who participated in last month’s National Eucharistic Congress said the event not only strengthened their love of and devotion to the Eucharist, but has prompted them to share that love and devotion with others.
“Simply put, the National Eucharistic Congress was amazing – the highlight of my summer,” said Magistrate Paul Bauer Eason, who serves on the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County and is a member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
He was among several members of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council who traveled to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress.
The July 17-21 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis was the culmination of a three-year National Eucharistic Revival initiated by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 2022 to inspire greater understanding of and love for Jesus in the Eucharist. The congress had about 60,000 registered participants who gathered Masses, Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, workshops, prayer, a Eucharistic procession and other events.
“As to the fruits of the Congress … I cannot speak for all of the 60,000 attendees, but I am confident that the vast majority left energized, inspired and renewed,” Eason said. “Now it is our turn to do our part ... we are called to become Eucharistic missionaries and share with others our Catholic faith – especially our certain belief in the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist.”
That call to share love of the Eucharist with others was also felt by Sister Romana Uzodimma, a member of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus who is the senior program manager for Catholic Charities Health Care Network in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
“The Congress has entrusted me with the radiant graces of the Eucharistic renewal and the need for me and everyone to be attentive to these graces ... and in turn be God’s vessels for love, conversion and renewal in others,” she said. “Our mission is to make the Eucharistic Christ known, believed, adored, loved and served.”
She added that she feel “deeply blessed” to be a witness to “the event that revived and celebrated our oneness in the Lord, our call to repentance, conversion, love and holiness.”
Bishop Andew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, served as board chairman of the group that produced the congress as an opportunity to gather with others who share their faith in the True Presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament and to inspire a greater love for and devotion to the Eucharist.
“Bishop Cozzens and his team did an absolute fantastic job putting the Congress together, it was a logistical grand slam,” Eason said, added that each day started with recitation of the rosary, followed by the celebration of Mass and ended with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.
Each day, the National Eucharistic Congress had a different theme and included English- and Spanish-language catechesis, breakout sessions, Mass in both the Latin and Byzantine Rites, Confession, Adoration, exhibits and entertainment. Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar was part of a panel discussion.
“The presenters were a veritable Who’s Who of Catholic luminaries – Bishop Robert Baron, Father Mike Schmitz, Sisters Bethany Madonna and Josephine Garrett, (pro-life advocate and television host) Chris Stefanik and (actor) Jonathan Roumie,” Eason said.
He added that Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory had the honor of presiding over Mass on the second day of the Congress and delivered an inspiring homily.”
During his Mass, Cardinal Gregory said the congress is important because recent surveys and studies “suggest that the darkness of doubt and denial has cast an unwelcome shadow over the once widespread acceptance of our Church’s heritage of faith in the Real Presence.”
“Our Eucharistic Congress seeks to reaffirm and to intensify the light that illuminates the truth of Christ’s unique Presence in the Most Blessed and enduring Sacrament,” the cardinal said.
Sister Romana echoed the cardinal’s sentiment. She said the congress reminded the faithful that “together with Christ, we are encouraged be light to each other and to the world. We should go forth and share the Eucharistic light and blessings with every one we encounter in our everyday activities.”
Eason said that the “theme and mandate” of the congress was for each Catholic “at a minimum to share the Good News with one person – a child, a friend or a coworker that Jesus Christ is surely the Bread of Life, and as the Second Vatican Council rightly proclaimed, ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ ”
