Unity in the Eucharist: Alaskans share spiritual takeaways from the 10th National Eucharistic Congress

After more than eight decades, the highly anticipated 10th National Eucharistic Congress saw more than 50,000 Catholics gather for a five-day event in Indianapolis last month — the centerpiece of a three-year campaign launched by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 2022.

The USCCB initiated the National Eucharistic Revival as a “joyful, expectant, grassroots response of the Church in the United States” after a growing concern that Catholics have been drifting away from the Eucharist at Mass and in the belief of the core tenet of faith.

A 2019 Pew Research Center study was coined to be the cause that led to the USCCB’s National Eucharistic Revival campaign, according to multiple news outlets. The study’s findings said nearly seven-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion “are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” Just about one-third of U.S. Catholics (31%) say they believe that “during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.”

The study quizzed nearly 11,000 U.S. adults on a variety of religious topics for different religions including Catholicism. Yet, five years later, tens of thousands of people from across the country pilgrimaged to Indianapolis to experience the “Real Presence” with fellow Catholics — some of which may have been a friend, relative, priest, sister, or layperson who calls the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau home.

Julie DeKreon, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Wasilla, was reminded of the importance of the Eucharist by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio of the United States, at the opening night of the Congress on July 17.

“What brings us together at this Congress — the Eucharist — is an immense gift for unity,” the cardinal said. “As St. John Paul II said, ‘The Eucharist is the sacrament and source of the Church’s unity.’ We don’t need to look for unity somewhere else, but in the Eucharist.”

Some Alaskans took the weeklong teachings and spiritual events as a call to action.

“For those (who) attended the Eucharistic Congress, we have been sent as missionaries to proclaim the Real Presence,” said Michael Horvatin, liturgy and media director at St. Michael Parish in Palmer. “Yet, we are not only tasked with this, but also to create more missionaries to proclaim the truth in love to those that do not know or understand.”

Marcy Adkins, a parishioner of St. Benedict Parish in Anchorage, said attending the Congress helped her realize that she needs to become bolder and more open about her faith.

“To not be shy about speaking what I am trying to live out. To always remember that Jesus walks in me and with me in all I do,” Adkins said.

Others were simply overcome with emotions by the experience.

“The entire experience reminded me of the profound joy of being Catholic!” said Father Tom Lilly, pastor of St. Benedict Parish.

DeKreon said liturgies at the Congress inspired the faithful.

“Masses were celebrated twice a day in Spanish, English, and Vietnamese. Besides the Roman Rite, the Syro-Malabar Qurbana, the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, and the 1962 Missal invited people to different cultural and historical experiences,” she said. “The homilies literally rocked the rooms.”

The highlight of the Eucharistic Congress for many who spoke to the North Star Catholic was a mile-long pilgrimage across Indianapolis’ downtown area and the evening Masses at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“The Eucharistic procession outdoors was amazing watching so many clergy and religious participate, as well as the hundreds of thousands lining the streets from start to finish,” Adkins said.

Stage lights illuminate the stands of Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium during an evening Mass. (Courtesy of Dorothy Corack)

Attendees of the Congress took to the streets of Indianapolis on the afternoon of July 20. News organizations reported that event organizers estimated nearly 40,000 people walked the procession, which began from the Indiana Convention Center concluding at the Indiana War Memorial Plaza for prayer and Benediction. Organizers said there were 200 bishops and one cardinal in attendance, they also noted approximately 800 religious sisters, 55 religious brothers, 500 deacons, 550 seminarians, and more than 900 priests.

“The way was packed with cheering Catholics as the Blessed Sacrament made its way through the streets escorted by the Knights, singers, and many ministry representatives,” DeKreon said.

Adkins said being a part of the more than 50,000 people kneeling in silence within the stadium during evening Masses was her “favorite and most moving experience.”

“The Liturgies were blessed with beauty and grace,” Adkins said.

“I looked around at the 50,000-plus in attendance and thought to myself, ‘We have taken over the Roman Coliseum. It’s ours now.’ There’s a world of God’s children out there waiting for his message; it is time to bring it to them, when they need it the most,” Horvatin said.

Liturgies, teachings, and breakout sessions built up individuals’ faith, while some “boots on the ground” service opportunities put their faith into action. The Eucharistic Congress hosted the Million Meal Movement with the challenge to pack 360,000 meals over four days.

“With hairnets and gloves, old and young worked side by side to be the hands of Christ for those in need,” DeKreon said.

Susan Spindler, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Wasilla, is one of the many who joined families, religious sisters, and priests who worked together to weigh cheese mix, measure macaroni, seal shelf-stable bags, and pack them all in boxes for distribution to Indiana food banks and pantries.

A Million Meal Movement spokesperson said food packets assembled by volunteers each provide one meal for six people, and that Eucharistic Congress volunteers had, by Friday afternoon, packaged 80,000 packets, making nearly half a million meals. By the conclusion of the service project, the non-profit said 150,120 meals were packaged.

The Eucharistic Congress concluded Sunday night, July 21, with the 50,000-plus crowd praying for “a new Pentecost” in the U.S. Church.

“Here is what we need to proclaim,” said Mother Adela Galindo, the foundress of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, during her keynote speech before the closing Mass. “That no darkness is greater than the light of the Eucharist. That no sin is greater than the merciful heart of the Eucharist.”

“The Eucharist nourishes all in more ways than can be counted. Jesus Christ in the Eucharist feeds the hungry physically, emotionally, mentally, but especially spiritually, in only ways that God can do,” Horvatin said.