Black Catholics help kick off 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — The 10th National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) kicked off on Wednesday with thousands of attendees from around the country pouring into Lucas Oil Stadium. The most recent event of its kind took place 83 years ago and this year’s conference was the first to be preceded by a nationwide pilgrimage. 

The perpetual pilgrims followed four routes for over 6,500 miles before reuniting at the arena to start the first night of the conference under the theme “The Four Corners.” The stadium fell silent as the crowd worshiped the Eucharistic Jesus in the center of the dome-covered venue.

The opening session was hosted by congress emcees Montse Alvarado of EWTN, Fr Josh Johnson of Baton Rouge, and Sr Miriam James Heidland, SOLT. Johnson led the arena in prayer as the conference began. 

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the U.S. apostolic nuncio, opened by sending a message of hope on behalf of Pope Francis and calling on American Catholics to contemplate the gift of unity under the Roman pontiff. He encouraged Catholics to turn inward and examine themselves, while also embracing those who challenge us by thinking differently. He also challenged listeners to contemplate the blessing of a healed, united church in the U.S. 

“Christ, the firstborn of all creation, wants to be a bridge between people who are members of the same human family: people who are children of the same Father in heaven, and whose destiny is to be united in love within the same eternal household,” said Pierre. 

“If we are experiencing true ‘Eucharistic revival,’ then one of the signs will be a greater movement on our part to build bridges of unity.”

The NEC, which runs through July 21, features several Black Catholic voices, including Danielle Brown, the associate director of the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. She gave a talk concerning renewal in ministry on Thursday morning. 

Gloria Purvis will speak during Saturday evening’s revival session, while Paul Albert and Chika Anyawu will lead revival talks encouraging evangelization. Sr Josephine Garrett, CSFN is slated to give multiple talks over the weekend. 

Several musical artists performed on day one of the congress in the expo hall, including representatives from the National Association of African Catholics in the United States and gospel choirs from two local Black parishes in Indianapolis, St. Rita and Holy Angels. 

Several Black clergy were among the procession that led into the arena on Thursday, including Fr Johnson. Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, the Church's lone African-American cardinal, will lead an 8:30 am ET Mass on Friday morning in the stadium. 

The NEC is the culmination of two years of revival sparked by the troubling statistics of disbelief concerning the Eucharist, with a 2019 Pew study indicating that nearly 70% of U.S. Catholics do not believe in the dogma of the Real Presence. 

The NEC is the crowning point of efforts that the nation’s bishops hope will spark ongoing revival, produce miracles, and inspire the U.S. faithful to be a stronger, healed, and unified church going into the 2025 Jubilee Year. 

Briana Jansky is a freelance writer, author, blogger, and host of the Geeks For Jesus podcast.

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