10th National Eucharistic Congress – Indianapolis, Indiana (2024)
The first National Eucharistic Congress in over eight decades was an opportunity for Catholics throughout the U.S. and the world to reaffirm the presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Four pilgrimage routes converged in Indianapolis after travelling through the country for sixty days. One of those routes passed through my parish. During adoration and a Litany of Penance, my heart was touched to renew my dedication to the Eucharist and to living my Catholic faith. This desire brought me to Indianapolis to participate in most of the five days of preaching, healing, and learning. Here is what I felt, learnt, and experienced.
Day 1 – “From the Four Corners”
Wednesday, July 18, 2024
I had to start the Eucharistic Congress remotely owing to work commitments. On the first day the speakers discussed the significance of Eucharistic adoration and the need to encounter Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. They emphasized the importance of personal conversion and surrendering to God’s will. They shared stories of how God’s love has transformed lives and brought about healing and redemption. They also highlighted the role of the Church in evangelization and defending the dignity of life. The participants expressed their desire to be true disciples of Jesus and to share the joy of the Gospel with others. The Revival Session concluded with a call to trust in God and to allow His love to guide their lives.
Wrap up of Day 1 watching from my living room in New Jersey.
Screen capture showing map of four pilgrimage routes converging in Indianapolis.
Day 2 – “The Greatest Love Story”
Thursday, July 19, 2024
11:15 am. I’m travelling by train and plane from the Diocese of Metuchen where I live and going to Indianapolis. Landing at 6 pm tonight and hoping to catch the evening session.
12:34pm. Now that I’ve gotten through security at the airport I’m early for my 3:14 flight. That’s enough time to catch up on the morning sessions that I missed.
Morning mass began with a procession of clergy accompanied by a full choir. Familiar hymns accompanied them.
Following sharing of the word from the Book of Exodus and the Gospel of John, His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan of New York gave his homily.
He interspersed humor at the beginning and throughout, making a joke at the expense of the good people of New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. This got laughter from those in attendance. Cardinal Dolan also referred to the friendship between the Catholic and Jewish community in New York. He recounted how a Rabii once told him all Jewish feasts had in common three things: 1) they tried to kill us, 2) God saved us, and 3) let’s eat. Manna prefigured the Eucharist with Jesus as the bread of life. Eating also came to accompany the ministry of Jesus (miracle of the loaves and fishes, etc.) and after his death when he came to eat with the Disciples.
Dolan drew from diverse references such as Alfred Hitchcock requesting Holy Communion on his death bed, Walter Ciszek and his 23 years in a gulag during five of which he could not have access to the Holy Eucharist. Ciszek’s hunger of soul was as great as his physical hunger. Then Cardinal Dolan mentioned Holy Father Pope Francis who claimed “no Eucharist, no Church.” At a time when 25% of church goers consider the Eucharist as the Lord and Savior, it underscores why this is a hard time for belief.
Then Cardinal Dolan movingly concluded by inviting attendees to the supper of the lamb. “That’s you and I right now in the sacred meal called the Holy Eucharist.”
Mass featured moving gospel music as priests and servers prepared for Holy Communion. Cardinal Dolan presided. As Holy Communion neared its end, a more contemporary piece with singers and instrumentalists had the refrain “Our God is Greater, Our God is Stronger, Our God is Higher than Any Other God.” As His Eminence recessed there was mellow keyboard and strings background giving walking music and evoking a deep meditative calmness in the room.
Following a break before the next portion of the morning sessions began, a video of Mother Angelica told the story of how she would pray hours daily in adoration. She established the first Catholic satellite television network that is active now 43 years later.
Contemporary musicians took the stage. People stood and clapped along to “We Worship the God Who Was, We Worship the God Who Is…” The refrain, “There is joy in the House of the Lord today,” was fitting for the moment and the gathering. Next up was “Glory be to the father, Glory be to the son, Glory to the Spirit three in one…” This was the bridge to “You are the helper and guide, you are the fire inside… there is none who is more worthy than you.”
Following the music set the lead singer encouraged people to take a deep breath in and out, “in an inner posture of surrender and openness to God.” Then they asked people to repeat the words “Come Holy Spirit” (or in Latin, Veni Creator Spiritus.”) This led into the song that started “As the Spirit was moving over the waters…” with the refrain “Come rest on us.”
Katie Prejean McGrady
Several speakers followed the musical set. Before the remarks participants prayed a “Hail Mary.” A layperson, Katie Prejean McGrady, led off. She also has a daily radio show on Sirius XM Catholic channel. Referring to comments last night, she started by saying “It is good to be here.” Formerly a teacher and youth minister, she had a rapport with the audience. Speaking of the Congress as a “big event,” comes with it expectations and lofty goals of what we will get out of this. Though expectations come with it an expectation of control. She then reminded God looks at these expectations and says, “watch this.”
She shared a story of being invited to The Vatican and visiting the Sistine Chapel on May 10 earlier this year. Moments later Garth Brooks walked in and Katie was asked to give him a tour of the Sistine Chapel. This illustrated the point that “God takes what you want and shatters your expectations.” The next day she visited with Pope Francis. “What the Lord wants to do in our lives… is take our expectations and exceed them. In a lot of ways he wants to surprise us.”
An introduction followed of two Sisters of Life. Sister Veritas and Sister Mary Grace took the stage. They related to the Eucharist as a time when, “God broke into my life.” At World Youth Day Sydney was the first time she saw “women in love with God.” There she thought about wanting to know Jesus like that. Back at the tabernacle she asked what it would be like to encounter like that. Jesus calls us to heights of love and takes us seriously. After entering the convent she experienced Jesus’ Eucharistic love, especially in adoration and depth of sorrow, where He met them there too. He is source and summit of faith but everything in between – He is solace and sustenance. Sister asked people to let the love of Jesus be with you now.
Sister shared her story of being called as a young child. Love is stronger than fear. Being in front of the Lord at Eucharist melted barriers of her heart to vocation. At that moment of surrender Sister shared peace and joy like she never felt before. The Eucharist frees you to be yourself, “you are good, you are good, you are good.”
Katie went on to ask about liturgy. At Eucharist there is an intimate encounter of the Lord and should do something. Recounting Sister Bethany Madonna last night, everyone is vulnerable. “The Source” event in New York City involves putting Jesus on altar, opening doors, and inviting people into the Catholic Church. “In the Eucharist we find the greatest measure of our worth.” Despite obsessions, stresses, and what overwhelms – Jesus always sees your call which is good, beloved. “I think it is amazing to think that we’re made in God’s image and likeness…. That you are so good I’m going to give you the Eucharist, an immensurable gift of my love, because I don’t want you to just exist in my likeness, I want to be with you, I want to live inside of you, I want you to know that you are lovable and wanted.” We can’t satisfy our need for love. The reality of God’s love if you let his love in, then we can give something that comes from us. Sister shared the loving power of God’s mercy.
Katie spoke about the presence of the Sisters of Life and their “centeredness” because of their daily religious practice. Then she asked how we can make the Eucharist “the center and the source” of all we are doing.
Sister shared evangelists “are baptized souls that receive the Eucharist and the love and power capable of evangelizing the world” or “Jesus’ power to bring down the kingdom.” “If we believe in Jesus and his presence in the Eucharist, radically rely on him, Jesus will move through us.”
St. Seraphim said “a soul at peace will save a thousand souls.”
The next video segment shared the story of a first responder who encountered a priest who had a terrible accident while biking. He shared how “when things get chaotic, I get very calm.” GPS guided him on a windy road to the priest who had fallen from his bike, was struck by a truck, and badly injured. The man stopped the bleeding and secured the priest’s spine and kept him still until emergency services arrived. A helicopter took him to the hospital next due to his seriousness of his injury. A second uninjured bicyclist mentioned seeing a rosary in his car. He introduced himself as Father John. The person who was struck was Father Jason. From this point forward a relationship emerged, with Father Jason becoming his spiritual director. “Throughout your day to day, God is not only present continuously… if you are just present to the things around you, that God can continue to use you as an instrument of His.”
Katie reflected on the story as “a moment of encounter with another. That we can walk with one person and it can truly change the world.” Mother Teresa said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family. If you want to change the world, encounter one person and love them well. Speak truth to them in a beautiful, personal, and particular way.”
Next speaker was Monsignor Shea, the President of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Monsignor started in prayer, ending “Give me only your love and grace, that’s enough for me.” The 1976 Congress in Philadelphia started with the words, “You satisfy the hungry heart, with gifts of finest wheat.” Monsignor told a story from childhood about hunger. This reminded Monsignor of the Prophet Amos, saying “Yes days are coming, says the Lord, when I wall bring famine upon the land.” From this he shared a story and spoke about how most people in history were hungry and how hard they worked to find their next meal, while today we have the food to feed our hunger. Speaking of the satiety score of different foods, he emphasized how some foods fail to satisfy. Foods like broccoli with a high score satisfy, while junk food has a low score and does not satisfy. “God made us so we are incomplete unless we are feeding on him. Human beings are famished for God and we aren’t satisfied unless we are feeding on him. We have to feed on God or something else. Whatever something else is will leave us hungry.” Monsignor spoke then about God, the aching desire of every human heart. “God has no need. God determined to create and bring into being realities.” All creation depends upon God for its existence.
In the living world, living beings need things from outside brought in to exist. The need for nutrition is the deeper reality of the dependence of all things upon God. Human beings are the most dependent of all creatures – their bodies, minds, and spirits cannot thrive or function without constantly taking into themselves which is outside. “They need food for their minds. Realities outside of themselves… They have a thirst for righteousness, for justice… They are hungry of body, intellect, and heart. This constant craving for food, truth, and love is an expression of a craving for life, which is a craving for God without whom there is no life.”
St. John Damascene said God “set man in paradise, not for only earthly hungers, but for their minds and souls too.” He gave freedom to choose where to go for their sustenance. Freedom of what to do with constant moment by moment dependence. It was a test… that free beings must have freedom.”
Once Adam and Eve lost their true food, God, it spoiled their hunger and mind. It spoiled their hearts. They were dependent as before, but now slaves. Death became the consequence of cutting off from the source of all life. From Cain and Abel, to the tower of Babel, human history became story of hunger and thirst – “humanity in a state of malnutrition.” Sacrifice emerged to make expiation.
Abraham depended on God moment to moment. This led him to Melchizedek who offered food of bread and wine. On a mountain in Salem, Abraham began to sacrifice his son Isaac. “God was not thirsty for blood but for obedience.”
When famine gripped the earth, God raised Moses free from slavery. “Teaching them to depend on him moment by moment, day by day.” Water came from rocks, and manna from heaven.
To teach lawful sacrifice God raised David and a line of kings. When unlawful sacrifice destroyed the Temple, Israel was sent into captivity. Later they returned and rebuilt the temple, then subsisted through cycles of bondage and freedom. “Then God determined to intervene definitively… It was the most astonishing thing every believed by human beings. It reduces us to helpless amazement.” “Now gave real food again to restore to life… So he became one of them…. To be their life-giving food.”
Mary went to Bethlehem and gave the fruit of God in human form. God of the universe heard the crying out of the hungry and needy. Jesus and the Sacred meal was a theme throughout his life and ministry. When he went fasting in desert for 40 days, this was meant to mirror the 40 years that Moses spent. He multiplied bread by the thousands. He ate and drank among scoundrels and outcasts. Raising a small girl from dead, he said “Give her something to eat.” “Blessed are those who hunger and third for holiness.” He gave a thirsty woman water. “Give us this day our daily bread.” The true food is my flesh and my blood. “The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will never die.” Last supper. From the cross, Jesus cried out how thirsty he was. The Tree of the Cross was revealed as Tree of Life in full blossom, with fruit hanging from it as in the Garden of Eden, to fill whole world with invincible life.
The last words of Jesus in the breaking of bread in Sea of Galilee (John 21:12) were “Come have breakfast.” He told St. Peter, “Feed my sheep.” Monsignor tied the ministry of Jesus back to the earlier theme: “Let’s talk about satisfied, let’s talk about hungry.”
“The central question of every human life is this – where will I go for my sustenance… Will I go to the only possible source, God? Will I seek the food that will satisfy me for all eternity, or will I let myself be deceived and turn elsewhere? Will I eat good food or poison…. God has made us so we are incomplete unless we are feeding on him…. We are not satisfied unless we have him or feed on him.”
“We have found it in Indianapolis. We have literally wandered from sea to sea…. We are here together as the church founded by God as the original international red cross society for the alleviation of famine. We engage in and have the one and only sacrifice that blasts away the ancient curse… We behold the only food with a satiety score of infinity. And there also on the altar is a drink which flushes away all poison. Yes, human beings are the most dependent of all creatures. We depend on God moment to moment.”
“It’s time for faithful Catholics to stop living for God, we should start living from him. The body and blood of God is the source of energy and joy. Let us eat and drink to our heart’s content. Go out into world and say starving people, listen. We have found where the food is.”
A prayer closed out the morning session. I had just enough time to hear it before my flight boarded to leave for Indianapolis. From this point forward I would be participating in person.
On the flight I began to read Bishop Barron’s short book This is My Body. This set the next few days in perfect context helping to explain the need for a Eucharistic Revival to connect Catholics with the source of their faith in the Eucharist. I gave up my aisle seat on the plane for a mother with a baby who had asked the attendant if she could be moved from the middle seat she was assigned. As I read my book from time to time I would glimpse how lovingly she bottle fed and then held her child nap peacefully. After helping her get her bag off the plane I mentioned her child had wonderful vocal tone and joyfulness. Then I suggested as I often do to include music in their life and education. As we said our goodbyes she said “God bless you.” This was the most beautiful welcome to Indiana I could possibly imagine. The blessings would continue to flow with every step and breath from that point forward.
Departing the airplane on the sky bridge it was nice to feel a sense of connection with the past that brought me here, but also the future before me. I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity of everything that was about to unfold, and more joyful than I’ve been in a very long time.
In the airport we were greeted by a customary welcome sign. Another display board has the messaging, “Every movement needs a moment.” My stepmother met me at the airport with a car and the credentials I needed to enter the stadium. We drove a short distance, found a free parking spot, and proceeded to make our way in.
After a long walk and trying several seating areas that were all filled, we finally made it up the ramps as far as it was possible to walk and then found some seating at the top tier. Entering the stadium at this level was a perfect moment for a photograph. Despite the long journey I was so joyful to have finally made it and to now be part of the Eucharistic Congress.
When we finally found our seats in the uppermost tier it was truly inspiring to see the people before us. Rarely if ever have I been in an NFL stadium. To see it this full with so many faithful was remarkable.
I prayed my first rosary at the Congress in response to a prayer request from a good friend in Metuchen. I prayed for a return to the faith for all of those who have walked away from the church for whatever reason. My rosary is one passed on to me this year from my great grandmother. Whenever I pray the rosary it gives me such peace and I feel connected with all the faithful departed in my family and the entire Body of the Church.
The presentation by the Sisters of Charity recounted Eucharistic Miracles. Mother Olga spoke about the importance of sharing stories about Jesus and prayer. Her life story living in war zones and ministering to the injured and traumatized was quite moving. Mother told three stories of individual encounters. The first was of Mighty Quinn, a young cancer patient who fought several bouts against cancer successfully. Mother arranged to give him the Eucharist before an intensive 33-day chemotherapy treatment. This was despite the fact that he was younger than the typical age. In speaking with an official at the Diocese they agreed it was right to administer First Communion given the circumstances of treatment and the seriousness of the disease. After prevailing in his battle with cancer, the Eucharist became a comfort and strength for Mighty Quinn. He and Mother Olga have continued to connect with one another in health as they did in sickness. Baby Emma was born premature and spent over 100 days in ICU, though today she is a healthy one year old. The Eucharist was brought to her in ICU and became a source of comfort and strength. These stories brought me to tears. Then there was the story of David who contended with a forty-year history of treatment for addiction, that originated when he was nine. Despite his struggles he found great comfort in the Eucharist and mass, even sponsoring other addicts in their Confirmation. He gave small amounts of money as he was able to the ministry for single mothers to make penance. Mother Olga left us with a pledge to “see you in the Eucharist.”
Just before leaving the upper tier we saw a video and heard from the Knights of Columbus. I captured the video to send and share with brother Knights back home. Elayne was now getting tired after several long days of travel and preparation, so I walked her back to the car, before I returned to the stadium again.
As we exited, a subtle detail caught my eye. Rays of the setting sun streamed in and illuminated areas of the arena like a natural spotlight.
As I approached the stadium a second time the sun was setting. This reminded me of a moment in the liturgy when the priest says from the rising to the setting of the sun.
When I returned to the stadium it was just as the Eucharist was brought out for adoration. Seeing people streaming out, likely to safely get home or to wherever they were going before dark, meant that I was able to get the closest yet to the main floor. To see people worship and praise the Lord was a beautiful experience. We were asked to kneel as we were able. I did for as long as my body would allow. Though admittedly the metal floor of the bleachers was not the easiest or most comfortable of places.
The most beautiful moment of the evening for me was to hear the schola group chanting. Sometimes lyrics were on the digital display boards for everyone to sing along. And many people did. At other times the group sang on their own. A forty minute recording of how this sounded from my spot in the stadium is here.
In the closing moments I felt gratitude for the opportunity to be present in person for something I was only able to watch in my living room the night prior. The program for the night fittingly ended with the refrain, “I’ll see you in the Eucharist.”
Following the end of the program full lighting went up. The made it easier people watching as the crowd exited the stadium. There were people of all ages, races, and backgrounds together. It was a fairly constant stream of humanity. This is the historic strength and beauty of the Roman Catholic faith – how it welcomes everyone. Particularly inspiring were the young people in attendance, and even more poignantly families with young kids who attended together.
As the crowd filtered out and away from the stadium I wanted to share the incredible peace and joy that I felt. For people and groups I did this by listening and watching their response to events of that evening. While I could not capture it out of respect, particularly moving was to see groups of laypeople with their clergy member guiding them, or sitting in a circle together outside the stadium. For these people together it was truly an Emmaus moment – walking together as they depended their understanding of the Gospel and faith.
As I walked it was impressive to pass by the convention center. This was a rallying spot for many people as they went between the stadium and the cathedral. “The Revival Starts Here” graphic was particularly effective over the main entrance.
Perpetual adoration was available at St. John’s. Inside was a painting of Saint Theodore Guerin, Patroness of the Diocese of Indianapolis. This rustic painting reminded me lovingly of French realist painting of Bougereau, one of my favorite artists.
I prayed the five decades of the Rosary before St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary each separately. Before St. Joseph I lit a candle closest to the monstrance to remember a recently deceased parent of a friend who has passed on to eternal life. I felt the comfort from the Holy Family envelope me and by extension my friend, and all souls in purgatory.
Ongoing perpetual adoration occurred with the monstrance so beautifully placed between the chapels for the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph.
The Divine Mercy of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Jesus were together in the same chapel, one facing the other from opposite ends.
As I went by the last chapel it was for St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was special for me because over a month ago I prayed before her in Cranford, New Jersey and still had the prayer from that chaplet to utilize. I made my final prayer to St. Anne that evening.
Eventually I did end up catching an Uber. Took some delight crossing Kentucky Ave at midnight. Reminded me how the four years I lived in Kentucky coincided with my “Jesus year,” or shorthand for the year in His earthly life that our Lord was sacrificed for our salvation.
Day 3 – “Into Gethsemane”
Friday, July 19, 2024
I participated in the mass this morning remotely, as I had offered to take my stepmother to breakfast and then her plane flight home.
His Eminence Wilton Daniel Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, presided over mass giving the homily. He spoke to doubts about Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. He emphasized the importance of actions in deeds towards others as opposed to adoration only. “The highest forms and acts of charity… the determined pursuit of justice, and the genuine compassion outreach to the poor and neglected… is a spiritual journey. It is the light that comes from faith. The brilliance that comes as a response to that faith. He underscored that the homeless are a reflection of Christ himself among the poor.
“The adventure of a pilgrimage is a religious legacy for many religious traditions.” The Canterbury Tales was about pilgrims on the journey of the shrine to Thomas Beckett. This story is 800 years old. Our Muslim brothers and sisters long to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Some go to Compostela to view the shrine of St. James. In each journey people travel to visit a holy place. “In your journey to Indianapolis you are bringing the very one who is our… spiritual goal. The way, the truth, and the light. You brought him along with yourselves in his Eucharistic presence.” He then shared how Jesus walks along the spiritual path with us and will never leave us as we travel with him as sacrament and ultimate goal. “He stays with us as a companion and food for the journey.”
10:45 am. Impact Sessions. Empower.
Following the morning liturgy where everyone was together, people broke out into different tracks for smaller and more immersive impact sessions. In the Empower session, the participants discussed the topics of healing, the call to be missionaries, and the importance of remembering our own healing and the miracles of our call. They emphasized the power of God to heal and the need to proclaim the good news to others. The speakers shared personal stories of healing and emphasized the importance of recognizing our own brokenness and the transformative power of encountering Jesus. They encouraged the participants to remember their own healing experiences and to go out and share the love and healing of God with others.
Later on during a prayer session participants prayed for their families, extended families, and regions of the country. They asked for forgiveness for personal and collective sins and sought God’s mercy and blessings for the United States. The focus then shifted to healing and reconciliation, with an emphasis on forgiving others and oneself. The participants acknowledged their brokenness and the need to surrender control to God. They expressed a deep need for God’s presence and acknowledged that their nation, ministries, priests, bishops, and children all needed God’s intervention.
The sessions concluded with a call for healing. Bishop offered a blessing, and participants were encouraged to leave promptly. Overall, the session centered around prayer, seeking forgiveness, and healing, with an emphasis on the need for God’s mercy and intervention. As I walked out into the convention center, this session left me on the verge of tears. It was a joyful sadness, however, for everything I had just experienced up to that point.
Participated in a volunteer activity to package meals.
2:45 pm. Afternoon Breakout: Invest in Beauty.
Probably the most impassioned appeal for excellence I’ve heard from any layperson was provided by David Calivita of Seen & Unseen. He began with a simple premise that the human heart longs for truth, goodness, and beauty. Then he stated “Quality isn’t expensive, it’s priceless.” Then he showed the opposite of quality and excellence is mediocrity. When people encounter mediocrity they are not in love or excited about the thing they are doing. David then recounted how God invites and calls on us to build with quality.
The Eucharist was presented as the source and summit of everything we do as Catholic’s but at the same time David said it shouldn’t be an excuse to not surround this sacrament with every level of excellence that we can. Examples were provided through the history of the Church for how truth, goodness, and beauty have been prioritized. The Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s Pieta, and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona were just a few examples. David then asked what quality looks like in 2024? For parish websites, campus and signs that are welcome for someone wandering in for the first time and looking for hope, the sound system, the air conditioning. In all of these things David emphasized, “When you love someone, mediocrity is not acceptable.”
Today there is a need for new cathedrals, that inspire and show people something bigger than themselves. Something that tells people that they matter to us. The key to achieving quality like this is a vision. First we have to see in our mind what can be, then cast it in a way to orchestrate resources to rise up to it. Vision also directs investment, guiding people where to put their time, people, effort, and money. Closing with Antonio Gaudi’s vision for Sagrada Familia, while started in 1882, it is not expected to be completed until 2026. Gaudi’s vision was not based on current resources of his time – whether it be technology, money, or construction techniques. His “vision went far beyond current circumstances and what the world thought possible.”
David concluded by saying if we can do something without God, it is not a vision, it is a project. The vision for the Sistine Chapel was a vision, not a project. The Eucharistic Congress is a vision, not a project. Likewise, the vision God has for a parish is not a project. The talk concluded that quality too often is stopped by excuses: something costs too much, let’s do what is easier, or let’s do what is good enough, rather than giving the first, best, and everything that we can.
7:00 pm. Revival Session 3: Into Gethsemane.
Sister encourages those presence to take the chalice as Jesus did at Gethsemane, rather than to let it pass. She also urged all present to do penance and seek forgiveness.
adoration
Day 4 – “This is My Body”
Saturday, July 20, 2024
8:00 am. Family Rosary Across America.
8:30 am. Morning Liturgies. We had a special treat to see and hear the Q’banna liturgy from India. The presiding bishop recently left India to set up in Chicago.
10:45 am. Impact Sessions: Empower.
3:00 pm. Downtown Indianapolis Eucharistic Procession
7:00 pm. Revival Session 4.
Day 5 – “To the Ends of the Earth”
Sunday, July 21, 2024
8:00am. Family Rosary Across America.
8:30am. Revival Session 5.
10:00am. Closing Liturgy. Cardinal Tagle presided over the closing mass. He had a remarkable emotional warmth and was able to connect easily with those assembled.
Incredibly moving to watch the religious recess. There was a brief pause with the bishops at the end of the procession line. Several were joyfully presence and acknowledged laity standing in line nearby.
All that was left was to go out into the world. Having parked near the conference center I passed by one last time before a more than ten hour drive home to New Jersey. This gave me ample time to reflect on everything that happened the last five days and to feel gratitude.
