21st Eucharistic Congress takes Christ into the streets of Charlotte – and beyond
CHARLOTTE — In his homily for the closing Mass of the 21st Eucharistic Congress, Bishop Michael Martin encouraged nearly 9,000 people to go out into the world and “bring hope to the darkest places that need it the most.”
The bilingual closing Mass wrapped up an inspirational two-day celebration at the Charlotte Convention Center that was a joyful mix of music, worship and fellowship, all centered around the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Catholic faith. The Eucharistic Congress, themed “Pilgrims of Hope” in acknowledgment of the Vatican’s Jubilee Year, opened its doors Sept. 5 with a praise-and-worship concert headlined by contemporary Catholic singer Matt Maher.
It resumed Sept. 6 with one of the largest Eucharistic processions in the nation as thousands of people sang, danced and prayed their way through the streets of Uptown Charlotte to the convention center. It was followed by a Holy Hour led by Bishop Martin and talks by nationally known speakers in an event that overall drew an estimated 14,000 people.
This year’s Eucharistic Congress saw changes that reflected the growth and diversity of the diocese. Programming was consolidated onto one main stage, exhibit space was expanded to serve 84 vendors, and the chapel and confession areas were moved to better accommodate long lines.
Sounds of praise
More than 4,000 people turned out Friday night for a concert by Maher to kick off the 21st annual event.
In an interview before the concert, Maher said sharing his music at the Eucharistic Congress was special to him.
“As a Catholic, what’s central to my faith is the mystery of the Eucharist,” he said. “The whole Church is built on Jesus, and at the very center, the very seed of our faith, is His Real Presence in the Eucharist.”
Before the concert, Bishop Martin welcomed the crowd.
“My hope is that we are so empowered by the Holy Spirit during the next 24 hours that we don’t just use this as a spiritual pep rally,” he said. He asked the crowd to commit “to take the message of hope that only Jesus Christ can give and take it out into every space,” he said. “Into every space, every square foot – not just of our diocese, not just of North Carolina, but to a world that so misunderstands what true hope is.”
Maher has performed for four popes – St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, and in August for Pope Leo XIV.
Maher said despite those prestigious events, some of his favorite moments have been playing music during Adoration.
“Adoration shows us the true message of the Eucharist – that the gift of Christ’s peace is waiting in the Eucharist,” he said. “A lot of times in this world, people avoid the suffering they’re feeling … Silence and contemplation can help us get through that outer level and bring everything to the Lord.”
Maher’s performance ended in adoration, as concertgoers fell to their knees.
It spoke to Ellen Gil, a member of St. Matthew Parish: “Seeing everyone kneeling during the adoration was amazing … I still have chills.”
Processing through Charlotte
The Congress resumed Saturday morning with one of the nation’s largest Eucharistic processions as thousands of people sang, danced and prayed their way through the streets of Uptown Charlotte.
The procession showcased the diversity of the Church, with representatives hailing from the diocese’s 93 churches, 20 schools, 36 religious communities, Belmont Abbey College and eight campus ministries, St. Joseph and Mount Saint Mary seminaries, and other organizations.
The cornucopia of regalia, umbrellas, habits, hats, vestments, incense, musical instruments, banners and faith-slogan T-shirts enlivened the Queen City skyline.
Marie Desmarattes traveled from Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she attends St. Mary. She prayed the rosary as the procession passed. This was her second visit to the Eucharistic Congress.
“What I get from the Holy Spirit here helps me make changes in my life and change my heart,” she said.
The Eucharistic Procession culminated inside the convention center, where Bishop Martin presided over the Holy Hour.
His homily conveying a message of hope was inspired by the Gospel of Luke’s reading about the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The bishop explained that instead of Jesus’ disciples working to feed the hungry crowd, they waited for God to do a “quick fix.”
Sometimes, he said, we can do the little things on our own while trusting God to take care of the larger obstacles.
“We need to see Him as the power to transform us,” the bishop said, “so that we can be part of the solution, so that we can help to feed others.”
Attendees acted on those words by going to confession and being uplifted by inspirational speakers including TV and radio personalities Chris Stefanick, Father John Riccardo, Father Tito Serrano and author Paula Umaña before attending the closing Mass.
Closing Mass ends in a charge
Bishop Martin referred to Stefanick’s talk in his closing Mass homily. “I was so impressed to hear Chris Stefanick today, here on the stage, say two-thirds of the word ‘God’ is ‘Go.’
“Go, get out!” the bishop exclaimed. “You’ve got work to do.”
Referring to the first reading from the Book of Kings, in which the prophet Elijah was fed by an angel, Bishop Martin noted, “That refreshment is given him for the journey. He’s got more to do.”
Likewise, he said, participants should share the spiritual nourishment they received from the Congress with the people in their lives: “My brothers and sisters, we’re called tonight to take this
Eucharist and go out into the spaces of our private and public lives, where sin and evil reign most, there where the Eucharist wants to be shared.”
Jesus, the bishop said, wants us to be disciples and bring Him “to the worst places, to those cracks and crevices of your life and the life of our community. Why? To bring hope there. Bring hope to the darkest places that need it the most. That’s why we come with our need, our deep hungers and why we’re fed at this table, so we can bring that hope to a hopeless world wrapped in sin.”
The message was inspiring to Silvia Church from St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte.
“It’s always spiritually uplifting, it gives food for thought and food for the soul,” she said. “What I get here helps me go forward.”
Bishop Martin ended the Congress by tying into an earlier theme: overcoming the fear that often holds us back. He noted that the temptation to fear, particularly among many in the Hispanic community right now, is great.
He drew a round of applause as he appreciated their attendance and said, “Join me in thanking them for overcoming that fear and giving witness to faith which is greater than every fear.”
— Story by Lisa M. Geraci, Christina Lee Knauss and Trish Stukbauer. Photos by Amy Burger, Rachel Burgess, Travis Burton, Liz Chandler, Edward Chaplinsky Jr., Olivia DiGiovanni, Lisa M. Geraci, Troy C. Hull, Christina Lee Knauss, David Puckett, Patrick Schneider, Brian Segovia and provided
Read more about the Eucharistic Congress:
21st Eucharistic Congress begins with the end in mind
Thousands of Catholics from across the Carolinas walk in the Eucharistic Procession
We belong together walking in faith
‘Go, get out. You’ve got work to do’
Gallery: Sights of the Eucharistic Congress
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