Joyful Witness / Kimberly Pohovey

Congress illustrates there’s a place for everyone in our universal Church

I sat at home, my eyes glued to my laptop screen, transfixed on the monstrance. The camera slowly zoomed in, engaging me deeper and deeper into a prayerful conversation with our Lord.

To be honest, I wasn’t all that thrilled about attending the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) held in Indianapolis in July. While I understood the need for it as well as its historic significance, I felt the weight of having to spend an entire weekend in attendance. In my role at the archdiocese, I attend many evening and weekend events and meetings. My time off feels sacred. However, I quickly experienced an about-face.

A few days prior to the start of the NEC, I injured a foot and ended up in a shoe boot. It was not advisable that I attend the event due to the amount of walking, standing and climbing stairs I would do. Feeling the obligation to participate, however, I resolved to watch as many of the live-streamed events as possible from home. I knew it wouldn’t be the same, but it was the best I could do given the circumstances.

All it took was the opening revival session on the evening of July 17 for me to be hooked. The music was inspiring, the speakers’ messages were unbelievable, and I couldn’t help but be moved watching the camera pan the audience of approximately 50,000 Catholics from all over the country gathered for the purpose of renewing their devotion to the Eucharist. I couldn’t wait for the next live stream I could view.

During the course of the next four days, I watched liturgies, adoration and a whole lot of inspiring speakers from the likes of Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens, chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc.; to Holy Family of Nazareth Sister Josephine Garrett and Mother Mary Olga of the Sacred Heart; to popular Bible in a Year podcaster Father Mike Schmitz, to Word on Fire founder Bishop Robert E. Barron, to Jonathan Roumie, the actor who portrays Jesus in the series “The Chosen.” Each had a message that resonated with me.

Each day I watched, I observed more and more details that, frankly, renewed my faith in the Catholic Church. There were so many cultures represented throughout the congress—Latino, Asian, African-American, eastern European and many more. The music ranged from traditional to Gregorian chants to contemporary—a wonderful mix of music genres to appeal to everyone. The liturgies were as diverse as our Church: Masses said in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, the Roman Rite, the Eastern Rite and the traditional Latin Mass. Again, there were many options to appeal to those who normally attend one type of Mass or wanted to learn about the others. And I was pleasantly surprised to see so many religious and lay women appear front and center as emcees and speakers.

As the congress concluded, I was struck by two points. The first is that, as the congress progressed, I longed to be at the events in person. But I have to say I felt unbelievably engaged just by watching from home as well. The live-streamed coverage was outstanding. If you were unable to attend all or missed certain events at the congress, it’s not too late. Visit www.eucharisticcongress.org/streaming. Many videos are offered free of charge; others require a subscription.

The second and most important takeaway for me is that there is a place for everyone in the Catholic Church. No matter your political persuasion, your Mass or music preferences or your personal story, everyone can find a place to belong. I can’t say I have felt that way in recent years, but this gathering of energetic, faith-filled Catholics illustrated to me that our universal Church is comprised of many people celebrating their faith in different ways, but all worshiping the same God and rejoicing in the gift of the Eucharist.

In this respect, we couldn’t be more united.
 

(Kimberly Pohovey is a member of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis. She is the director of major and planned gifts for the archdiocese.) †