Alaska’s Catholic faithful pilgrimage to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress

Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau’s (AOAJ) Catholic faithful join the thousands pilgrimaging to Indianapolis in July for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress — the first in the United States in 83 years.

Some of those traveling from the archdiocese are ten individuals who registered early with the archdiocesan Eucharistic Revival committee and a group of five traveling with Catholic Native Ministry, according to Mary Gore, a member of the archdiocesan Eucharistic Revival committee.

Gore said additional parishioners from across the state who did not register with the archdiocese plan on attending as well.

The National Eucharistic Congress is a five-day event beginning Wednesday, July 17. At the National Congress, attendees will attend pre-selected series of impact sessions for the morning and breakout sessions for the afternoon, as well as a variety of other exhibits and keynotes. Then, gathered together as one, the whole assembly will experience revival sessions in Lucas Oil Stadium each evening.

The National Eucharistic Congress is expected to be livestreamed, according to its website.

Where it all began

The first Eucharistic Congress to ever occur was in Lille, France, in 1881. The international gathering was themed, “The Eucharist Saves the World.” This launched a movement of Eucharistic Congresses worldwide, inspiring Catholics to unite in worship around the Eucharistic table.

The United States held its first National Eucharistic Congress in 1895 on the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.

Belgian-born American prelate Bishop Camillus Maes led the first and four subsequent National Congresses — 1901 in St. Louis, 1904 in New York City, 1907 in Pittsburgh, and 1911 in Cincinnati. Under Bishop Maes’ leadership, the National Congresses were mostly gatherings of clergy, which included prayer, presentation of papers on Eucharistic themes, and discussions.

The next National Congress occurred 19 years later in Omaha. Between then, the 28th International Eucharistic Congress took place in Chicago in 1926.

The passing of Bishop Maes left the reins of the National Congress to German-born prelate Bishop Joseph Schrembs, who issued the first national invitation to laity in the history of the Congress movement. The 1930 Congress, held on the campus of Creighton College, included an evening rally consisting of addresses, music, and prayers that was attended by 50,000 people.

Under Bishop Schrembs, the National Eucharistic Congress would return three more times — 1935 in Cleveland, 1938 in New Orleans, and 1941 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

World War II disrupted plans for Congresses all over the globe. International Congresses resumed in 1952, including a historic gathering in Philadelphia in 1976. The Philadephia Congress saw 1,500,000 people, including 44 Cardinals and 417 bishops, according to a report from the 41st International Eucharistic Congress’ special guests committee.

The National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis will be the first to take place in 83 years.

Experience of a lifetime

Upon learning about the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress, Sister Frances Vista, D.C., said she originally had no intention of attending. However, after weeks of prayer and reflection, the sister understood the importance an event like this could have on young adults and the next generation of Alaskans to come from them.

“I want some of these young adults to speak about it and understand the importance of the Eucharistic Congress and the experience of it,” Sr. Frances said. “The last time a National Eucharistic Congress occurred was 83 years ago … I thought, ‘It would be nice to send younger people for them to tell their future families.’”

Other than Sr. Frances, the other four people in her group are young adults, with the youngest being 19 years old. The attendees — Jenay Mike, Jessica Hunt, Theresa Uisok, and Angelika Woods — are Alaska Natives.

“I think Indigenous people should be represented in a huge church conference,” Sr. Frances said.

The AOAJ’s Catholic Native Ministry group will be part of the anticipated 80,000 individuals attending the National Congress, joining other Native Ministry groups from dioceses across the country.

“The conference is for everybody,” she said. “I’m hoping that it will truly help develop their faith through the experience of what they will hear and see at the conference.”

Sr. Frances noted that she bought an Alaska flag to wave in the stands of Lucas Oil Stadium and other events throughout the five-day Congress.