Father and Joe E373: Transformative Power of the Eucharist: A Journey Through the National Eucharistic Congress 2024

Father and Joe

Welcome to another episode of Father and Joe. I’m Joe Rockey, joined by Father Boniface Hicks, as we dive into the recent National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis, an event that has left a lasting impact on thousands of believers across the country.
From July 17th to the 21st, Catholics from all over the United States gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium for the first National Eucharistic Congress in 80 years. Father Boniface shares his incredible experience, detailing the profound significance of bringing the Eucharist to a massive crowd of 55,000 attendees.
"Leaving an NFL training camp to go to an NFL stadium...to actually bring the Eucharist to a massive crowd like that just is absolutely phenomenal," Joe remarks. The event, organized over three years with a significant investment of $22 million, was a bold step taken by the bishops in response to a Pew study indicating that less than a third of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Father Boniface explains, “The bishops at that time, also with the urging of Bishop Robert Barron...decided they would start this three-year Eucharistic revival, culminating in a national Eucharistic congress. And it was bold, and it was beautiful.”
The Congress featured various forms of worship each evening, including praise and worship music, different styles of chant, and moments of silent adoration. Father Boniface himself led a litany of healing and repentance, which he describes as a deeply moving experience. “The testimonies that I’ve received from the way that people’s lives were transformed through that time of prayer is just amazing,” he shares.
One of the highlights was the Eucharistic procession through the streets of Indianapolis. “30,000 people going through the streets of Indianapolis and enthroning Jesus on the monument in the center...has a way of catching people’s attention,” says Father Boniface. The procession and the final mass celebrated by Cardinal Tagle were principal moments of the Congress, reflecting the unity and diversity of the Catholic Church.
Throughout the Congress, the emphasis was on personal transformation and encountering Christ in the Eucharist. "It was not an intellectual exercise...but it was really directed at personal transformation, and so powerful for that reason," Father Boniface highlights.
For those who couldn't attend, there are numerous resources available to experience the event's highlights. "I can certainly direct you to my own litany...and I think all of the pieces are broken out now to be able to view," says Father Boniface. You can find the video of his litany at the Institute for Ministry Formation's website (imf.stvincentseminary.edu/litany) and other sessions by searching for the National Eucharistic Congress on YouTube.
We hope this episode inspires you to deepen your faith and share it with others. “If everybody shares the faith with one person, then that’s more than half the country,” Father Boniface reminds us. Join us in this mission to revitalize the belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
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