CHARLOTTE — The 2026 Eucharistic Congress themed “Called. Formed. Sent,” welcomed parishioners from the 93 parishes and missions across the Diocese of Charlotte to cast their nets into the streets of uptown Charlotte Saturday – and what a mighty large net it was.
Thousands of local Catholics gathered at 9 a.m., taking over Tryon, Brevard and College streets and transforming them into a sacred place with an extraordinary purpose – to share the Body of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament with the world.
The monstrance, containing the consecrated host – the Body, the Blood, and the Divinity of Jesus Christ – was held up high for all to see as the mix of parishioners from diverse cultures yet united by one faith, danced, sang and prayed their way to the Charlotte Convention Center for the 22nd Eucharistic Congress.
Melony Rayala and her husband Chris traveled across the state from Cary in the Diocese of Raleigh to take part in the procession and to offer support to others through prayer.
"It's just beautiful to see people from this diocese and other places come together to pray and show the love of Christ," Rayala said.
The procession began with clergy members incensing the crowd at St. Peter Church. Forty-five minutes later, the doors closed behind the last processors and Holy Hour began.
Father Kevin Martinez, parochial vicar at St. Mark Church in Huntersville, delivered an inspiring Holy Hour homily explaining that everyone is “Called. Formed. Sent.” through God. Disciples of Christ are given extraordinary gifts, purpose and uniqueness by God, he said.
He referenced the Gospel of Luke 5:1-11 on the apostles’ miraculous catch, and urged modern-day disciples to “not be afraid” of catching a bigger purpose through Christ.
Christ doesn’t just call the saints, nor only those who are ready, Father Martinez said.
“Every day the Lord calls people in all walks of life to be His voice, to be His hands, to be His presence, to be His light, amidst a world of darkness,” Father Martinez said.
Some may think they are not special like the disciples, but the Gospel suggests otherwise, he said.
“He didn’t call them (the apostles) and approach them at the temple or the synagogue. He called them on a boat, doing their daily duties. These were ordinary men whom God called forth to live extraordinary lives,” Father Martinez said. “And He calls all of you as well to be a light to the nations.”
Father Martinez reminded the attendees that when Saint Peter claimed he was unworthy of the call, Jesus did not cast him aside but invited him to throw his net wider, saying, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
“Formation with Messiah is not a one-time ordeal – it is a journey of walking with the Lord, day in and day out,” he said, reminding people that the same Messiah who walked the earth 2,000 years ago is still present in the Eucharist.
“In what ways is the Lord stepping into your life and asking you, ‘Put out into the deep for a catch?’” he asked. “Once you accept being one of His disciples, the Lord will ask you to cast into the deep waters, and
He will transform your ordinary life into an extraordinary one.”
The afternoon continued with programming in three languages before a closing Mass.
— Lisa M. Geraci. Photos by Jason Blanco, Liz Chandler, Edward Chaplinsky Jr., Troy C. Hull, Patrick Schneider, Brian Segovia and provided
