United with 60,000 by the power of the Holy Eucharist
By Josh Low
The Eucharist being God’s response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, given so that Christ Himself is in our midst to nourish, console and sustain us, was the focus of last month’s National Eucharistic Congress in the United States.
Held in Indianapolis, Indiana, a host of Australians made the journey across to what was the United States’ 10th Congress, and the first in 83 years.
Among the Australians to make the trip over was Archdiocesan Parish Projects Officer, Ruth Sternberg.
“I had been following the Eucharistic Revival Movement in the US when I saw the slogan describing the congress as the World Youth Day for adults.
“I have never gone to World Youth Day but have heard about the experience from others of how transformative it can be, so I decided to go on a personal trip for myself and my own faith journey,” she said.
The congress saw a plethora of notable Catholic speakers, including Bishop Robert Barron, Fr Mike Schmitz, Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, Dr Scott Hahn, Chris Stefanick and Jonathan Roumie of ‘The Chosen’ among many others.
“The line-up of incredible presenters was a huge drawcard,” Ruth said.
“The standout experience that is etched in my soul is experiencing Eucharistic Adoration with 60,000 people in silence and with great reverence in the Lucas Oil Stadium, with the Eucharistic Procession through the streets with 50,000 people also an experience I won’t forget,” she said.
Her favourite presenters at the congress were Mother Olga, Fr Mike Schmitz, Bishop Barron, Chris Stefanick and Jonathan Roumie.
“Mother Olga shared heartwarming stories about the miracles she has witnessed with the Holy Eucharist.
“Fr Mike Schmitz spoke about how you cannot have a revival without repentance and that the road to love is repentance, with a key takeaway I had from his speech being, ‘Knowledge can make one great but only love can make a saint.’
“Bishop Barron emphasised howChristianity is not a self-help program designed to make us feel better about ourselves, but something to be shared with the world.
“He explained that the Eucharist is not for us as a little private possession but meant to conform us to Christ who gives us His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity for the world,” she said.
“Jonathan Roumie spoke about the Real Presence and the Bread of Life Discourse and Chris Stefanick delivered a mesmerisingly energetic talk on living a more radical response to the best news ever by sharing the Gospel of Jesus with confidence.”
Although she travelled on her own, Ruth said she never felt isolated at the congress but rather connected to the worldwide Catholic family, united by the power of the Holy Eucharist.
“This experience has given me more zeal to share the joy of Christ with others.
“There is transformative power in gathering together and walking with fellow Catholics in worshipping God and connecting on faith matters to encourage us on the journey to be missionary disciples on fire for the Lord,” she said.