The National Eucharistic Congress with Our Lady of the Sierra Parish, Oakhurst

Article by Erlinda Teisinger, Our Lady of the Sierra Parish, Oakhurst

By the grace of God, I had the privilege of representing Our Lady of the Sierra Parish in Oakhurst as a “point person” in the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 17th to the 21st. The events were well-covered by EWTN and various Catholic media, which I encourage you to view. Even on TV, you will be as amazed as I was. This article is but a glimpse of the multitude of happenings at the Congress.

DAY 1 - From the Four Corners. First off, the Congress was all about Jesus Christ in the Eucharist - welcoming us in eloquent silence and magnificent glory. My first Gospel thought was of Jesus welcoming the crowds who traveled from up, down, andaround the Sea of Galilee, the Decapolis, and beyond. Thistime, 2,020 years later, the crowd - 54,000 strong - came from every nook and cranny of the United States. They responded to Jesus’ personal invitation to “come and see.” The opening ceremony featured the culmination of the “four corners” pilgrimage that crisscrossed the United States in the form of a cross, meeting at the beautiful Eucharistic altar set up in the Lucas Oil Stadium. When a beautiful golden monstrance was displayed, a holy and reverent silence fell upon the crowd. You could have heard a pin drop. In awe, we all dropped down to our knees in our first Adoration experience at the Congress.

DAY 2 - The Greatest Love Story. At the morning revival session, the speech that moved me the most was that by Monsignor James Shea, who talked about hunger, thirst, famine,and the only sustenance - the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ- that satisfies. I encourage you to watch him (Youtube, James Shea National Eucharistic Congress).

In-between venues I went to a jam-packed Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Later I attended a session called “The Biblical Theology of the Eucharist.” Most inspiring was Liz Lev’s talkon art and the Eucharist, featuring Michelangelo’s Pieta, and Caravaggio’s Entombment. The day ended with a revival session called The Greatest Love Story featuring Mother Olga and Fr. Mike Schmitz. 

DAY 3 - Into Gethsemane. The morning impact session called“Encounter” included eucharistic healing, with Dr. Mary Healyand Fr. Mathias Thelen conducting a healing service. I, along with many others, was a recipient of healing: my persistent back ache suddenly melted away!I attended a special “point person” breakout session with about500 others. Most of us taught several sessions of the “Jesus and the Eucharist” small group study in the Fall and Spring of Year 2. We were given a new name, “Eucharistic Missionaries.” We also received ideas and tips on how to facilitate Year 3 in our parishes.Later I waited in a Disney-style confession line, awaiting my turn to go into a large darkened hall with over 60 priests administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation.The evening revival session featured Sister Josephine Garrett,who stressed the importance of repentance in healing. Watch Her powerful testimony on Youtube! 

DAY 4 - This is My Body. After receiving the Eucharist at a Syro-Malabar Qurbānā Mass, where the entire liturgy was sung, I met up with Fresno Diocese friends to prepare for the grand Eucharistic Procession on the streets of downtown Indianapolis.We joined the crowd, which had now increased to 60,000 souls.It was a joyful, peaceful, powerful, and impactful event – certain to remain engraved in our memories.

DAY 5 - To the Ends of the Earth. Keynote speakers Mother Adela Galindo and Chris Stefanick delivered powerful messages about the Eucharist gifted to us by Jesus, which we are now commissioned as “Eucharistic Missionaries” to live and spread. We Must begin first with ourselves, then share the message with those immediately around us. The Congress ended with a majestic procession of several thousand clergy, religious, and laity at amass officiated by His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Pope Francis’s special envoy to the Nat’l. Eucharistic Congress.