More than 8,000 Catholics from parishes across western North Carolina gathered this month to celebrate their faith at the Diocese of Charlotte’s “family reunion,” the 18th annual Eucharistic Congress.
The event, which this year commemorated the diocese’s 50th anniversary, took place Aug. 5-6 at the Charlotte Convention Center and featured educational talks and musical programs in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, along with a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and a closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis. More than 100 vendors participated.
A CHANCE FOR TRANSFORMATION
On Saturday morning, a procession from St. Peter Church through uptown Charlotte culminated with a Holy Hour led by Bishop Jugis in the Charlotte Convention Center. The bishop noted that they were gathering on the Feast of the Transfiguration and that the day’s events offered everyone a chance to be transformed by an encounter with the Eucharistic Lord.
“At the Transfiguration,” the bishop said, “St. Peter spoke to the Lord in words that are just as appropriate for us to say now in this moment of Adoration: ‘Lord, it is good that we are here.’ It is good that we are here with You in Your Presence.”
The Lord’s Presence was a focal point of the Synod listening sessions held throughout the diocese earlier this year, Bishop Jugis recalled.
“In the Synod, people said that the most significant signs of the Lord’s presence in their lives include Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the sacraments and especially the Holy Eucharist and confession and prayer. They also acknowledged that their faith is nourished by their family life, by participation in parish life, by the good example of our priests and deacons, by Scripture study, and by works of mercy and service to others.”
“It is evident that across the diocese faith is strong, and that we desire to be with the Lord and to be close to Him,” he said. “And so we are with Him now. May these moments of Adoration nourish our souls and bring us Christ’s peace.”
‘IT GIVES ME HOPE FOR HUMANITY’
Those who attended the Eucharistic Congress for the first time praised the experience.
“Seeing so many people from our diocese of all ages and backgrounds who are all here to follow Christ is overwhelming. It gives me hope for humanity,” said Maria Dawkins, a member of St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem.
“I think this Eucharistic Congress just shows you what a wonderful diocese we have in Charlotte. That’s my overall impression. The fact that we can get this many people who are this faithful into this single location for a couple of days is a visible sign of contradiction to the secular, nihilistic world,” echoed Mark Adderley, a parishioner from St. Michael Church in Gastonia.
‘IT’S A JOY TO BE BACK’
This was the first in-person Eucharistic Congress since 2019. For the past two years, pandemic restrictions forced events to be held virtually and in parishes. Past attendees said they were glad to return.
“It’s a joy to be back after the virtual years during COVID – to see so many faces, celebrate the Eucharist, and enjoy the speakers. I’ve been attending since 2014.
My favorite part is the closing Mass. I love a large Mass celebrating the Eucharist together with so many cultures, parishes and people, as well as seeing the procession,” said Rosheene Adams, a member of member of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte and director of the diocese’s African American Affairs Ministry.
Adams noted, “There’s still a lot of people who don’t know the diocese has an African American Affairs Ministry that focuses on African American education, agriculture and spirituality. It’s a great way to meet people I would not otherwise get to see and tell them about the ministry. It is outreach.”
Patrick Valentine, a member of the Knights of Columbus and parishioner from St. Michael Church in Gastonia, said, “I’ve been to the Eucharistic Congress about seven times. I’m loving every minute of it. It’s so great to see so many Catholics together in unity of heart and mind in the faith. The 50th anniversary is very important. To go from a small number of Catholics to the number that we have now is incredible and a testament to the vibrancy of the Church here in western North Carolina.”
Marianne Donadio of St. Leo Church said she’s attended 12 Eucharistic Congresses, and she finds each one spiritually uplifting: “What I love about it is seeing all these different people from all over the state – from all over the world, really, with so many different cultures, whether it’s the Hispanics or the Vietnamese or the Koreans, or the Africans or the English speakers, all coming together to adore the Eucharist. It makes me so happy.”
AN EXAMPLE TO THOSE WATCHING
The procession had an impact not only on Catholics but on those who witnessed it, participants said.
“The Eucharistic Congress is a wonderful occasion for Catholics to come together from different parishes with the Eucharist, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the bishop, priests and religious. My favorite part is everybody in procession, everybody praying together. It’s an example to the people around who are watching us.
Everybody is praying for the whole world together,” said Sister Christie Kunnel of the Sisters of Charity in High Point.
A CELEBRATORY CONCLUSION
The Eucharistic Congress culminated with worship, pageantry and joy during a closing Mass offered by Bishop Jugis, who again emphasized the theme of change.
“The Eucharistic Lord changes us. The Eucharist changes us,” he said. “We have been refreshed spiritually at this Congress by being with the Lord, and by being with our brothers and sisters in the faith.”
He noted that change is present at every Mass – not just at the Eucharistic Congress.
“At the consecration at Mass, the whole substance of the bread is changed into the substance of the Body of Christ our Lord, and the whole substance of the wine is changed into the substance of His Blood,” he said.
“This amazing miracle happens at every Mass, for as we know, Jesus the Risen Lord is alive, and He continues to be active in His Church and in the world.”
It is our part to respond to that miracle, Bishop Jugis urged. “At the end of this Mass, the Lord will once again send us forth as His missionary disciples. Let us be missionaries of Christ’s Eucharistic love and Eucharistic joy to others.”
— Catholic News Herald
More Eucharistic Congress coverage
At catholicnewsherald.com: See hundreds of photos from the Eucharistic Congress including the Eucharistic Procession and highlights of all of the events.
At youtube.com/DioceseofCharlotte: Watch highlights from the Eucharistic Congress in English and Spanish including the Eucharistic Procession, Bishop Peter Jugis’ English and Spanish homilies from the Mass and Holy Hour, the entire Mass, complete talks from Vinny Flynn, Dr. Bill and Mary Thierfelder with Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B, Monsignor Patrick Winslow, and Byzantine Vespers.
At Facebook.com/EucharisticCongress: Look back at candid photos and videos as thousands of faithful participate in the weekend event.