21st Eucharistic Congress begins with the end in mind
CHARLOTTE — More than 4,000 people turned out Friday night for a concert by Catholic contemporary music artist Matt Maher to kick off the first evening of the 21st Eucharistic Congress at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Parents with children, young people and senior citizens alike danced and raised their hands in the air during his concert, which evoked a range of emotions from exuberance to reverence.
Before the concert, Bishop Michael Martin welcomed the crowd and urged them to “begin with the end in mind” by finding life-changing spiritual truths during the two-day conference.
Saturday’s events will kick off with a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Charlotte followed by a full day of educational programming and worship.
Bishop Martin began the evening by reflecting on the theme of this year’s conference and the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“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 themselves “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, a Catholic musician and native Canadian who now lives in the U.S., has performed for four popes – St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, and in August for Pope Leo XIV at the Jubilee for Youth in Rome. A nine-time Grammy nominee, he has had songs on the Billboard Christian charts and was named songwriter of the year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards.
He’s best known for upbeat songs such as “Your Grace is Enough” and “Hold Us Together,” as well as moving, slower worship songs such as “Because He Lives” and “Lord I Need You” which he played during a half hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, during which the entire hall went silent and many people fell to their knees in prayer.
In an interview before the concert, Maher said he has played in front of huge crowds at World Youth Day and at parish retreats, but some of his favorite moments have been playing music for people during Adoration, a spiritual practice he holds dear.
“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. They mask how they’re doing with piety. Silence and contemplation can help us get through that outer level and bring everything to the Lord.”
Maher’s concert attracted long-time fans who knew every word of his songs and people who had just discovered him.
Monica Elizondo of Charlotte initially knew only “Lord I Need You” but said his concert made her want to hear more.
“This concert just really touched my heart. because I got to see all of these people here loving Jesus,” she said.
Ellen Gil, a member of St. Matthew Parish, enjoyed the variety of music and the atmosphere.
“His music was faithful, moving and very reverent,” she said. “Seeing everyone kneeling during the Adoration was amazing … I still have chills.”
The rousing and inspiring concert that attracted a young crowd was followed by a screening of “Carlos Acutis: Roadmap to Reality,” a documentary on the millennial teenager that Pope Leo will canonize this Sunday, Sept. 7. Saturday starts with a Eucharistic procession beginning at St. Peter Church at 9 a.m. and ending at the convention center. This annual event attracts thousands of faithful, including many parish and ministry groups that walk behind vivid banners.
A Holy Hour led by Bishop Michael Martin will immediately follow the procession’s arrival at the convention center. The day of activities ranges from educational tracks with inspiring speakers to the opportunity to receive the sacrament of confession from dozens of diocesan priests. More than 84 vendors will have a variety of Catholic merchandise for sale. The day will conclude with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Martin, with pre-Mass music by The Vigil Project.
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by David Puckett, Amy Burger, Edward Chaplinsky, Jr. and provided
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Plan your visit at the Eucharistic Congress Saturday, Sept. 6, at https://goeucharist.com/
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Thousands of Catholics from across the Carolinas walk in the Eucharistic Procession
We belong together walking in faith
