Eucharistic Congress closes with bilingual Mass
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 a two-day celebration 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 acknowledgement of the Vatican’s Jubilee Year, opened its doors Friday evening with a praise-and-worship concert headlined by singer Matt Maher.
It resumed Saturday morning 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 to the Charlotte Convention Center. It was followed by a Holy Hour led by Bishop Martin and speakers in an event that overall drew an estimated 14,000 people over the course of the day.
Bishop Martin referred to one of those speakers, TV and radio personality Chris Stefanick, in his 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 of the Mass from the Book of Kings, in which the prophet Elijah was fed by an angel, Bishop Martin noted, “He doesn’t receive that bread from the angel just to enjoy the moment, just to savor. That refreshment is given him for the journey. He’s got more to do. He’s got to get out there. He’s got to proclaim a message of salvation to the world.”
Likewise, the bishop said, participants should share the spiritual nourishment they received during 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, who has attended almost every Congress since the tradition started.
“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.”
Austine Kwokolo, a member of Christ the King Church in High Point, has only missed one Congress in the past 21 years.
“Things were a bit different this year but as always it was full of spiritual exercise for me,” he said. “I enjoyed listening to all of the different speakers. It helps me deepen my faith.”
This year’s Congress saw changes that reflected the growth and diversity of the diocese. Programming was consolidated onto one main stage, vendor areas were expanded and the chapel and confession areas were moved upstairs to better accommodate long lines of people waiting to receive the sacrament.
Bishop Martin ended the Congress by tying into an earlier theme in his homily – overcoming the fear that often holds us back. He noted that the temptation to fear, particularly among many in the Hispanic community, 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.”
— Trish Stukbauer and Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull and David Puckett
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
Gallery: Sights of the Eucharistic Congress