By Paul Ainslie, President, SVdP Indy
In fall 2019, Pew Research, a reputable non-partisan opinion center, reported that only about 3 in 10 Catholics understand and believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Such a belief is fundamental to our Catholic faith, yet the majority of Catholics either don’t understand or don’t believe.
The Church has identified this as a serious challenge to the core of our faith. In June 2022, a National Eucharistic Revival was launched nationwide with solemn processions in many cities, including Indianapolis. Perhaps you participated.
The culmination of this Revival will be here in Indianapolis next year when the National Eucharistic Congress convenes at Lucas Oil Stadium July 17-21, 2024. This will be the first such event in 83 years in the U.S. Over 80,000 Catholics are expected to attend. Registration is open now at www.eucharisticcongress.org.
Members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul are reminded by our Rule that our “journey together towards holiness will be all the more fruitful if the members’ personal lives are characterized by prayer, meditation on the Holy Scriptures and other inspirational texts and devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, whose protection we have always sought, and to the teachings of the Church.” (Part I, 2.2)
The National Society will have a special part in the 2024 Congress, and our Indianapolis Council will be the local host. As details are being finalized, please prayerfully consider what active role you might take in this once-in-a-lifetime event.
