NE Valley Times

Jane Mullin, a Chandler resident and member of the St. Juan Diego parish, said that many Catholics are confused about the meaning of the Eucharist, highlighting the need for better education within the Church.

“We need it because Catholics are confused about the meaning of the Eucharist,” Mullin said. “Some think it's just a symbol, and others believe it is truly the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We need to educate the flock. The Church has been neglecting education for a long time. Educating Catholics needs improvement.”

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.