Indy Standard

Trent Reichley, an Indianapolis resident, said the Eucharistic Congress was a "rallying call" for young Catholics, inspiring them to embrace faith and virtue in a culture increasingly leaning towards hedonism.

“The Eucharistic Congress saw a tremendous gathering of young Catholics on fire with the Faith,” Reichley said. “As the inheritors of an American culture that has shifted dramatically towards hedonism, this moment was a rallying call for the youth to rest our hearts in the Lord and to imitate Christ in a life of charity and virtue. As Fr. Mike Schmidt said, ‘There can be no revival without repentance.’”

From July 17-21, 2024, over 60,000 Catholics gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana to experience the National Eucharistic Congress. The congress is part of a three year grassroots effort in the United States to bring about Eucharistic Revival. 

The congress was preceded by a Eucharistic Pilgrimage that featured four routes coming from the four edges of the country, all meeting in Indianapolis for the congress. This pilgrimage lasted 60 days, spanned 6,500 miles, and included more than 250,000 participants from across the country adoring Jesus in the Eucharist as the monstrance processed through the streets. 

During the congress, the Church experienced a new Pentecost, sparking a transformation that will flow out from Indianapolis and create revival throughout the whole country. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith, it is the Church’s first love, and Catholics need to be called back to that love. 

Each day of the congress featured impact sessions, breakout sessions, revival sessions, Eucharistic Adoration, and Mass. Confession was offered all day for attendees. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, located just across the street from the Indianapolis Convention Center, became the perpetual Adoration chapel for the congress. Throughout the entire congress, the pews of the church were filled so that adorers were lining the walls of the church as well. 

Catholics across the nation experienced and encountered the Eucharist in many new and profound ways, leading to conversion of heart and sparking a renewal to bring the faith into the world. 

Following the congress begins the year of mission, which is set to end in 2025. In the year of mission, Catholics across the country are called to engage in a three part plan to “Walk with One,” to use the “Year of Mission Playbook,” and to become a Eucharistic Missionary.