Denver, CO, November 15, 2023—At the USCCB Fall 2023 Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, new opportunities to attend the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress were officially announced in an effort to expand the impact of a pivotal moment in the movement to renew the Catholic Church in the United States by bringing forth an encounter with the living Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. In an update to his brother bishops today, Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc., shared plans to open new single-day and weekend pass options for next summer’s event as well as available scholarship money via the Solidarity Fund.
“We have heard well the concerns of some that find the length or cost of the Congress to be difficult, and we have worked hard over the last year to ‘open wide the doors to Christ’ in seeking ways to make the Congress an affordable and accessible gathering for the whole Church,” said Cozzens. “We believe these new options will help make the event more accessible for a greater number of people on any given day, especially Catholics from those dioceses within driving distance to Indianapolis.”
An updated schedule of events, with programming details being updated regularly, is now available on the Congress website. In early January, a complete schedule with detailed information on all of the experiences available to attendees from art exhibits, live broadcasts from your favorite Catholic networks, musical performances, and more will be posted. At that time in January, day and weekend pass sales will officially open. Single-day passes range from $49-$95 depending on the day, and weekend passes will be $125. A limited number of single-day passes will be available with an added discount for those who purchase early. In the meantime, five-day pass sales remain open with additional benefits such as premium seating and digital access to content from the Congress.
Additionally, a Solidarity Fund was initiated by the bishops in the summer of 2023 in an effort to provide scholarships for those expressing financial need. Close to $1 million dollars has been collected from diocesan operating budgets across the country along with contributions from private donors and foundations. These designated donations will make it possible for thousands of pilgrims to register for the Congress at no charge. The executive team for the National Eucharistic Congress is also working hard to identify affordable housing solutions in and around Indianapolis.
Mindful of the cost and limited availability of housing options next summer, Bishop Cozzens addressed the bishops with hope: “We are going to have to be creative and ‘help the Church welcome the Church.’ The Congress is a true pilgrimage, and we must be flexible in hosting pilgrims to the city in a variety of different ways. Dorm rooms at local colleges, parish and school housing, retreat centers, and more are all being explored to welcome pilgrims to Indianapolis.”
The Solidarity Fund scholarship application process will also open in early January. More information regarding selection criteria and deadlines will be available in the new year on the official Congress website.
For a complete press kit and to access an updated list of frequently asked questions, visit EucharisticCongress.org/day-pass-press-kit.
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