CHARLOTTE — The large-scale Eucharistic Congress at the Charlotte Convention Center may be off, but several smaller events featuring Bishop Peter Jugis at St. Patrick Cathedral are being offered for the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte:
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- • Eucharistic Procession and Holy Hour of Reparation: At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, Bishop Jugis led a candlelight Eucharistic Procession around the cathedral grounds. A Holy Hour of Reparation followed from 8 to 9 p.m. inside the cathedral. Nocturnal Adoration began at 9 p.m. and end at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
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• Votive Mass of the Most Holy Eucharist: Bishop Jugis celebrated a votive Mass of the Most Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, and again at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at St. Patrick Cathedral, located at 1621 Dilworth Road East in Charlotte. The 5:30 p.m. Saturday Mass was livestreamed to the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel, and the 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass was livestreamed on the cathedral's website.
All events are open to the public. The cathedral asks attendees to wear a face covering and practice safe social distancing.
In his homily for Mass Sept. 6, Bishop Jugis encouraged people to find ways to celebrate during the weekend of the Eucharistic Congress, Sept. 11-13, to foster unity and devotion to the Eucharist.
“Jesus is really and truly and substantially present” in the Eucharist, he emphasized. “Jesus the Good Shepherd is really present in the Eucharist, and He’s bringing His flock together around Himself.”
The diocese’s annual congress is meant to bring “the whole diocese together as one family in Christ. Though we are separated in 92 parishes and missions, when we come together for the Eucharistic Congress we are celebrating our unity in Christ.”
Baptism unites us to Christ and to each other, he said, and “the Holy Eucharist serves to make our union with Jesus and make our union with our brothers and sisters even stronger. It’s strengthening that bond which begins at baptism. The Eucharist deepens it, renews it, and makes it even stronger.”
Through the various Eucharistic-themed parish celebrations across the diocese this weekend, he said, “it will be the Eucharist uniting us, even across the miles, as one Body in Christ.”
He encouraged people to celebrate our faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist – to deepen our devotion and closeness to Jesus, to give thanks for “this beautiful gift Jesus has given us,” and to “keep alive our desire to live holy lives so that we worthily receive the Body of Christ in Communion.”
For more information about Eucharistic Congress events at St. Patrick Cathedral, go to www.stpatricks.org.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress Planning Committee is organizing the 18th Annual Eucharistic Congress, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Charlotte Convention Center.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the annual gathering to shift to parish-based celebrations in 2020 and 2021, it will be a blessing to gather again in person for prayer, learning and fellowship, organizers hope. The date is earlier than usual in 2022 because of scheduling conflicts with the City of Charlotte and the convention center.
The theme for the 2022 congress reflects the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte: “Faith More Precious Than Gold,” taken from 1 Peter 1:7.
In a recent letter to pastors announcing the Eucharistic Congress theme, Bishop Peter Jugis explained that the First Letter of Peter exhorts us, “so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
“Gold is recognized as a precious commodity, but even ‘more precious than gold’ is the gift of our Catholic faith, including our faith in the Eucharistic Mystery of Christ’s Presence,” Bishop Jugis said.
The Eucharistic Congress brings the diocese together as one family to celebrate our faith in the Lord’s Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. The event also strengthens the local Church for the New Evangelization.
Plans are still being developed, but the congress is expected to include Byzantine Rite Vespers on Friday evening; Holy Mass; a Eucharistic procession through uptown Charlotte on Saturday; a Holy Hour; the sacrament of confession; speakers and programs geared especially for adults, children and college students; vendors offering Catholic merchandise and information; and more.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
For updates
At www.goeucharist.com: Look for updated information to be posted online as the 2022 Eucharistic Congress nears