Local Attendees Call Eucharistic Congress 'An Experience of a Lifetime'

Nearly 60,000 people attended the event, which included 3,866 clergy and religious. At least 8,000 of the attendees were under 25 and 5,000 were under the age of 18. 

To be inclusive of people of various ethnicities, 19 different languages were spoken at the Congress. 

Representatives from many churches from the Diocese of Baton Rouge attended the Congress. 

The first day of the Congress began with an evening revival as the 30 perpetual pilgrims, who had walked the four National Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes, took their final official steps of their eight-week journey into the stadium carrying icons of each route's respective patron saints – Marian Route (North); St. Juan Diego, (South, which included a stop in the Diocese of Baton Rouge); St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (East); and St. Junipero Serra (West). Attendees fell on their knees during Eucharistic adoration as Jesus present in the monstrance passed by. 

Each of the following days included Mass (with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, presiding as celebrant of the opening Mass); Impact sessions, which had tracks specifically focused on issues for youth, clergy, families, and Spanish-speaking Catholics; and breakout sessions, which were more specifically focused and presented by various ministries. Service opportunities were also provided, such as packaging food for the hungry. 

Father Josh Johnson, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge and director of vocations for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, had the unique role of serving as one of the Congress’ three emcees. 

“I am so humbled that I was invited to serve our church and our nation in this capacity,” said Father Johnson. “I have been to many conferences and retreats over the years but in all honesty, this was the most anointed event I have ever served.”  

The entire Congress was surrounded by prayer, according to Father Johnson. 

“We had a team of intercessors praying for the Congress behind the scenes and I believe the fruit of their prayer to Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament was manifested in the joy, peace, healing, and renewal that was experienced during Mass, Adoration, the presentations and the opportunities for fellowship. I think we will be unpacking the graces from this Eucharistic Revival for the rest of our lives. 

“Now that we have gathered as a Church in prayer, it is time to go out and make disciples of all nations as Marian Missionaries of the Eucharist.”  

The Revival sessions featured messages from Catholic evangelists and theologians including Father Mike Schmitz, Bishop Robert Barron, Jonathan Roumie, Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, Sister Josephine Garrett, Sister Bethany Madonna, Tim Glemkowski, Gloria Purvis, Chris Stefanick, Adela Galindo, and Mike Hopkins. 

Seminarian Huy Tran, who is scheduled to be ordained a priest in the Diocese of Baton Rouge in 2025, was particularly impacted by Father Mike Schmitz’ keynote address. 

“In his keynote address, Father Mike Schmitz said, ‘The presence of Jesus is not the point of the Mass. Yes, the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is to be reverenced and adored, but it is his sacrifice, represented at every Holy Mass, that brings about sanctification and renewal of the world.’” 

He was likewise inspired by the large number of clergy present, including Bishop Michael G. Duca and priests from the Diocese of Baton Rouge. 

“It’s hard not to be moved when seeing 200 bishops and 1,170 priests process into Mass. How many Masses have been offered between them all? How many lives changed? How many souls saved? It was powerful to be kneeling alongside more than 50,000 brothers and sisters as the sacrifice of the Son was offered to the Father in the Spirit for love for us.  

“God willing, in less than one year I will be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ, able to offer that same holy sacrifice. It’s terrifying to think about at times. ‘Me, Lord? Really?’ But in the same breath, it is also a place of intimacy to encounter the Lord in that place and discover again and again a peace, love, and excitement in following him and in offering my life, my body, for love of him and his people. ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” (Luke 22:19.) 

Dr. Brian Pedraza, associate professor of theology at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) in Baton Rouge, said the Congress allowed the church to be a beacon of light and hope in the midst of turbulent times in our country.  

“This is a time when we as a country are experiencing radical polarization, division, and even hatred,” said Pedraza. “The Congress was a powerful reminder of the necessity of reconciliation and communion in our land. It was refreshing to hear speakers place Jesus first over political parties and cultural identities; not to do away with these, but that those things might find their true unity in the Body of Christ. We are a broken people, not just my ‘opponent’ or the people different than me, but me, myself. And Jesus is the only one who can reforge together our brokenness.” 

At the end of Sunday evening’s closing Mass, Eucharistic Congress chairman Bishop Andrew Cozzens urged Catholics to participate in the “Walk with One” initiative that will encourage all Catholics to evangelize one person over the course of the next year. For more information, visit eucharisticrevival.org/walk-with-one.