“Why do we have to go to Indianapolis when we can just go to church here?” my 12-year-old daughter asked two days before our trip to the National Eucharistic Congress. I gave her various reasons, but none seemed good enough for her inquisitive mind.

Our family of seven embarked on the long bus journey, not knowing how we would be during these five days in this pivotal movement in the US Catholic Church.  We followed the other pilgrims to the bustling stadium to await the opening ceremony.  To our delight, it was a sight to behold!  60,000 Catholics gave public witness to the honor and majesty of our Eucharistic Lord.  This is the reason we were here, to be in community with 60,000 other Catholics.  We have never seen so many seminarians, deacons, priests, religious sisters, and bishops, or people (quite frankly) in one place before.  Each revival session, worship & praise encounter, and break-out meeting had messages for us on how to live out our identity as Catholics, finding our identity in the Eucharist.  Every Mass displayed the beauty and dignity belonging to the Lord.  The impressive 30-minute entrance procession of each Mass exemplified the awe and reverence we owe to the Lord as each moment builds up more and more to a dignified and majestic liturgy.  The custom-made 4-foot monstrance is taller than three of my children.  Also impressive is the outdoor Eucharistic procession, where tens of thousands lined the streets, singing back and forth the lyrics to “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” and kneeling down in public when our Eucharistic Lord passed by.  Tens of thousands of Catholics followed in procession to an outdoor worship location and bent down on their knees in front of Jesus.  During break-out sessions, we heard from renowned Catholic speakers who encouraged our family to grow together in holiness.  Our children enjoyed the singing, dancing, and playing that came with the lessons.  The Holy Spirit spoke directly to us during these family-specific events.   

We have never been to a Catholic event so big and most likely never will again.  Our hearts have been moved in union with the unmatched energy we found at the Congress.  Catholics, whom we’ve never met, treated us like family by smiling and talking to our children, saving seats for us, and giving our children little gifts.  One 6-foot 6-inch dad kindly let my 6-year-old sit on his shoulders during the Eucharistic procession so that my son could have the best view!  Reflecting back, we realized that OLPH has the same opportunities for worship, praise, and spiritual growth.  Throughout the year, there have been guest speakers, festivals of praise, Bible studies, retreats, Eucharistic processions, VBS, All Saints’ celebrations, Holy Hours, silent adoration, Reconciliation, and, of course, Mass.  We sing the same hymns (Alleluia Sing to Jesus, Adoro Te Devote, O God Beyond All Praising, Tantum Ergo, to name a few) and have the same Jesus present in the Eucharist in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  OLPH has abundant opportunities for families and individuals to experience a Eucharistic revival.  The Congress gave us a refreshing new perspective, rejuvenated by the joy that filled the stadium, convention center, and downtown streets.  

So, the answer to my 12-year-old’s inquiry is:  “No, we don’t have to go to Indianapolis. We surely can worship Jesus here at OLPH. But by going to the NEC, we bring back a renewed heart–a heart more deeply in love with Him and conformed to His heart. Now, when we receive the Eucharist, we remember that His heart is united with ours, and we are able to love as He loves.”  

~ Reflection of the National Eucharistic Congress experience by Thuy M. V. Strong