Bishop Martin leads Holy Hour
CHARLOTTE — Multitudes of Catholics swarmed the Hornet’s Nest early Saturday morning, forming one of the largest Eucharistic Processions in the nation. More than 10,000 people sang, danced and prayed their way to the Charlotte Convention Center for the second day of the 2025 Eucharistic Congress, followed by a Holy Hour led by Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv.
Marie Desmarattes traveled from Rock Hill, South Carolina, where she attends St. Mary Parish. She stood along the sidewalk taking video of the procession and prayed the rosary as the procession went by. This was her second time making the trip up I-77 for the Eucharistic Congress.
“I am here for the Holy Spirit, to feel the Holy Spirit,” she said. “What I get from the Holy Spirit here helps me make changes in my life and change my heart. I want to continue to attend events like this to study and learn more about God. This brings me closer to God.”
The 21st Eucharistic Congress opened its doors Friday night. Singer Matt Maher headlined the evening with a praise-and-worship concert. Catholics sang and swayed to Maher's voice, listened intently to the bishop’s keynote address of Hope, and watched a screening of “Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality,” which featured the soon-to-be-canonized saint.
This year’s Eucharistic Congress, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” showcases 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 countless Church organizations.
The cornucopia of regalia, umbrellas, habits, hats, vestments, incense, musical instruments, banners, signs, and faith-slogan T-shirts enlivened the Queen City skyline.
Catholics from various nations knelt in unified reverence as the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament passed by on the city streets.
The Eucharistic Procession culminated inside the convention center, where Bishop Martin presided over the Holy Hour in front of a standing-room-only crowd. The faithful knelt on the concrete floor, gazing at the monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament, the room of thousands silent in awe.
The bishop's Holy Hour homily conveying a message of hope was inspired by the Gospel of Luke reading about the loaves and fishes.
“Too often we look to Jesus for the quick fix; we believe somehow the answer we need most can be found in the healing of a sick relative or an increase of salary or the obedience of our children…” He cautioned, “Jesus, His ways are slow.”
He explained that instead of Jesus’ disciples working to feed the hungry crowd, they waited for God to do a “quick fix.”
Sometimes, the bishop said, we can do the little things on our own while trusting God to take care of the obstacles we are not able to.
“We need to see Him as the power to transform us,” Bishop Martin said, “so that we can be part of the solution, so that we can help to feed others.”
Margaret Clark of St. Pius X Parish in Greensboro had one simple word to explain what drew her to the Eucharistic Conference and procession: “Jesus.”
“Jesus brought us out here,” she said. “Jesus is everywhere around us, but I just wanted to be here with Him and spend the day praying to Him.”
Attendees plan to spend the rest of their Saturday reflecting and acting on Bishop Martin’s words by going to confession and being uplifted by inspirational speakers including Chris Stefanick, Paula Umaña, Father Tito Serrano and Father John Riccardo before attending the closing Mass.
— Lisa M. Geraci and Christina L Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull, Patrick Schneider, Amy Burger and Olivia DiGiovanni
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Thousands of Catholics from across the Carolinas walk in the Eucharistic Procession
21st Eucharistic Congress begins with the end in mind
