The Church is about to enter a new season of apostolic mission. But before we answer this timely call, Jesus is inviting us to a renewed encounter with our first love: his Eucharistic Heart. He wants to heal us, to restore our hope, to mend our divisions, and to set us ablaze with unquenchable zeal for his kingdom.
From July 17–21, 2024, our shepherds are calling us together for a powerful moment of encounter with Jesus. This will be the 10th National Eucharistic Congress—both the rebirth of a rich legacy and the beginning of something new.
It’s been 83 years since the United States has gathered for a National Eucharistic Congress. Read on to discover what this means, why we’ve waited so long to hold another, why it matters right NOW, and how this Congress bears a uniquely apostolic character that will propel us into a new chapter of Eucharistic mission and faith in America.
Since 1881, Eucharistic Congresses have played a big part in shaping Eucharistic faith around the globe. Early Congresses were mostly made up of clergy. Participants presented theological papers, discussed the great mysteries at the heart of our faith, and celebrated beautiful liturgies.
Soon this tradition made its way to the United States. America held her 1st National Eucharistic Congress in 1895 in Washington, D.C. The Church in the U.S. continued to gather in this way every few years, and God blessed these Congresses with much fruit that poured out into the wider Church.
In 1926, Cardinal Mundelein shook things up by inviting the laity to the International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago. Over 850,000 people were at the closing Mass—a significantly larger crowd than any Olympic opening ceremony on record at the time! Visitors came from as far away as China and New Zealand. A special train had to be built to carry the many Cardinals and bishops who participated, and more than 3,000 priests were called in to hear confessions! Chicago’s roads were so packed that they had to close down all traffic going the opposite direction, allowing more room for movement toward the Congress.
Bishop Schrembs continued this openness in 1930, calling all Catholic laity to gather in Omaha for our 6th National Eucharistic Congress. This was the first time a National Eucharistic Congress was open to laypeople, had a lay committee, and complemented the sessions for clergy with sessions and programs for Catholic men and women of all vocations.
America’s most recent National Eucharistic Congress was held in St. Paul, MN, in 1941. Only a few months later, the attack on Pearl Harbor launched the United States into World War II. We haven’t gathered in this way since.
International Eucharistic Congresses resumed after the war. Philadelphia hosted one in 1976—coinciding with the bicentennial celebration of the founding of the United States. It was a major moment that brought together 1.5 million people, including Venerable Fulton Sheen, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, and Servant of God Dorothy Day. And yet, we have not gathered as a nation for a Eucharistic Congress in 83 years!
From July 17–21, 2024, this legacy will be reborn at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, and YOU are invited to join us for this historic moment! Gathered by our shepherds around the family table, we will now resume the work begun long ago to understand and adore the greatest gift humanity has ever received. This will reverberate for generations to come.
Simply put: because the Church needs healing, and the world needs Jesus.
God hears our prayers for revival and will answer them through a life-changing transformation of our own hearts. The Holy Spirit is calling our Church to enter a new missionary chapter, but first we have to open ourselves up to profound personal revival.
The Congress will fulfill, in a moment, the vision of the National Eucharistic Revival. Together, we will encounter the living Jesus Christ, experience renewal, and be sent out “for the life of the world.” Throughout these five days, our Church will experience a new Pentecost and be anointed for the Year of Mission to come.
This is a defining moment for our generation. Whether you can come for only one day or all five, we invite you to be a part of the rebirth of this legacy. Register today!
Both a Congress and a Catholic conference share the same dual purpose—to worship and understand the mysteries of our faith—but there are some important differences.
1. Scope – Many conferences have quite a large draw, but the beauty of the National Eucharistic Congress is in its capacity to be a true spiritual family reunion for the Catholic Church in America. As an official gathering, it is hosted by our spiritual fathers, the bishops, rather than a single apostolate or Catholic organization. Tens of thousands of your brothers and sisters from across the country plan to be there. We know what the Bible says about when two or more are gathered—what happens with thousands?
2. Focus – A Congress is profoundly Eucharistic. Growing in love and understanding of this great gift is the sole focus of a Eucharistic Congress. At the upcoming Congress in Indianapolis, many of the greatest minds in the Church today will be speaking on this great mystery. Together, we will dive deeper into the great mystery at the heart of our faith. We will be formed and equipped to live more Eucharistic lives.
3. Liturgical Nature – Conferences and retreats are beautiful opportunities to grow in faith, but they are different from a Congress. The National Eucharistic Congress is an official gathering of the whole Church in the United States for unified worship and communal study of the Eucharistic mystery. It’s not put on by an apostolate organization; it is held by the Church herself. This is why we call the Congress “the Church’s moment.”
Eucharistic Congresses have evolved over time to meet the needs of the faithful, but a few key elements are always present:
Since about the sixth century, the Catholic Church has held what we call “stational liturgies.” This is when the Bishop of Rome would travel on a certain day to a particular Church, where representatives of the entire diocese would join him for a single Eucharistic sacrifice. This was an especially powerful manifestation of the unity of the Church.
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress will be a continuation of this tradition. What makes this particular Congress especially significant is its national scale. Pope Francis will send a papal delegate to join us in Indianapolis, where hundreds of bishops, thousands of clergy, religious brothers and sisters from many orders, and tens of thousands of laypeople will gather from every corner of America. Every parish and diocese is invited! When the entire Church is gathered at the feet of Jesus—every vocation, rite, and walk of life—we will ask Our Lord to heal and unify us as his Body, and send us out “for the life of the world.”
The primary purpose of this gathering is to worship Jesus in the Eucharist as one Church. We will have Mass every day of the Congress, as well as powerful opportunities for Eucharistic adoration and procession.
Imagine thousands of on-fire Catholics from every corner of the country, gathered before Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time in 83 years—ready to encounter him in a new way and eagerly anticipating a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As one Church, we will present our wounded hearts to the God who loves us and reconsecrate ourselves as instruments of his love.
We know this is not an easy trip for everyone. Many Catholics will be traveling long distances—some with young children—to be a part of the Eucharistic Congress. By our very presence, we profess publicly the mystery at the heart of our faith and witness to its importance. We become a witness to the power of this sacrament to unify, heal, and fortify the people of God. Those who gather in Indianapolis will return home to their communities on fire and overflowing with grace to share, spreading the fruits of the Congress to every diocese and parish in the nation!
Eucharistic Congresses often have themes—a particular aspect of the Eucharistic mystery chosen to be studied, discussed, and taught in great depth. For example, the first Eucharistic Congress ever held had the theme, “The Eucharist Saves the World.” Other past themes include “Hungers of the Human Family” and “Eucharist, the Bond of Love.”
Experts would study the theme in preparation for the event, sometimes leading to the publication of a base text for the event. Then, speakers would share the fruit of this study with everyone in attendance, so that all might gain a deeper understanding of the Paschal Mystery.
At the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, you will enjoy the fruit of this same extensive prayer and study—only this time there will be a variety of themes organized into what we call impact sessions. That way, you can customize your experience, choosing the sessions that best align with your vocation and mission. Click here to explore impact sessions and how you can participate in the Congress.
“The National Eucharistic Congress marks a significant moment in the life of the Church in the United States.” – Pope Francis
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress comes at a particularly powerful moment in the history of the Church in the United States. Through the National Eucharistic Revival movement, the Holy Spirit is calling every Catholic in America to a greater encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist in preparation for a new apostolic chapter.
Before every great mission in the Bible, there was a commissioning—an anointing, a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We stand on the threshold of this moment in 2024. At the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, we will gather as one Church to encounter Jesus anew, experience his power, and receive the fresh grace he desires to lavish upon his people. Then we will be sent out as Eucharistic missionaries in a new apostolic age!
This is REVIVAL for a world that needs it. A moment like this doesn’t happen twice. Will you be there? Register now!
