Photo by Elise Heier
By Grace Tibbetts
“Commit yourself to becoming a eucharistic missionary, someone who lives deeply a eucharistic life, and having received that gift, allows themselves to be given as a gift.” –Bishop Andrew Cozzens, bishop of the Diocese of Crookston
In July, I was blessed to be able to attend the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. It was an incredibly moving and powerful experience. The most impactful part of the Congress for me was the opening session on the very first night. As you can imagine, there was much hustle and bustle rallying nearly 40,000 people into Lucas Oil Stadium, but then, all of a sudden, there was silence; the lights were dimmed and a spotlight followed Bishop Cozzens as he processed our Eucharistic Lord to the middle of the stadium.
Everyone hit their knees as the tangible presence of our Lord was recognized. Upon reaching the altar, located in the middle of the stadium floor, nearly 100 spotlights shone on the monstrance. The silence was deafening and quite astounding. It was in this moment, I knew I was where I needed to be.
I had experienced some doubts about attending the Congress. I am a pretty introverted person, so the idea of spending multiple days surrounded by 60,000 people was not something I was necessarily looking forward to. But to start the Congress in this way—not with some motivational well-known speaker, not with flashing lights and clapping hands, but with breathtaking silence, on our knees, adoring Jesus in the Eucharist—all the doubts were washed away as I got to encounter that taste of heaven.
Over the next few days, I was able to hear many incredible testimonies and witnesses to the power and great love the Father has for his children. I experienced great joy and a deep sense of gratitude celebrating the victories of the Lord with those who shared their stories. I was moved to tears thinking about all of the lost souls who do not know Jesus, or do not know the unique and personal love that Jesus has for them.
During the Congress, Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, shared something that will stay with me forever. She said, “The Lord is not overwhelmed by you. He loves you, and he sees you and he is not deterred by anything. And if it would be okay, could you just let him come? And could you bring him to those places to transform your heart to make you free?”
It is in him that we find our freedom, our peace, our joy, our wholeness. Everything our heart desires has been placed there by him, and is only fulfilled through him.
Another thing I noticed over the course of the Congress was the beauty and awe of the sea of habits. There were thousands of religious present all week, from a variety of orders. Men and women from all walks of life who, united through consecration to Christ and his Church, were actively demonstrating the great joy that comes from living out your vocational call from the Lord. Again, in Bishop Cozzens’ words, they have “received that gift, and are allowing themselves to be given as a gift” to the world.
There was a powerful sense of unity at this Congress. The Spirit was moving and alive … but he was not confined to that space in Indianapolis. I’ve heard many testimonies since coming back from those who were tuning in online or have since watched some of the talks, and the power of what was happening in Indianapolis was palpable throughout the world. What a testament to the beauty of being part of a universal Church.
I pray everyone receives a chance to experience something like the National Eucharistic Congress during their lifetime, but more importantly, that each and every person will experience, in a very tangible way, the great love the Father has for us. May we bask in that love, so as to live lives worthy of the Kingdom of God and be bold witnesses in the world to the power of Christ.
To God be the glory.
