National Eucharistic Congress, After 83 Years!

The first time I heard about the National Eucharistic Congress was last year around May-June.

I immediately started contacting them and looking for connections, to try to be a photographer at this amazing event.

It was going slow, really slow, I finally got connected with someone from their media team, this year only like couple of months before the Congress.

Unfortunately, they didn’t have the budget for media and their team was based on volunteers. At this point it was hard to afford the hotel (everything was booked), transportation, etc.

Sadly I decided to say no…

But God had a different plan for me, I got connected with my friend Nell who was looking for a volunteer leader of a group from San Antonio and they were covering travel, and accommodation!

I said yes, without thinking, and that was it, I was in for the National Eucharistic Congress. I was super excited, but that was not everything yet.

Only a week later Relevant Radio reached out to me, to offer me a job as a videographer! I couldn’t be more happy.

It took around 4 hours to get to Indianapolis from Chicago, after checking in the hotel I headed to the Indianapolis Convention Center. The line was looking, around 1-hour wait to pick up credentials, allowing you to enter the Lucas Oil Stadium.

I could see so many people heading to the evening session and adoration. And what adoration was that! Over 50,000 people gathered to meet with Jesus Christ himself.

It is hard to describe the experience, especially as a photographer I was able to get so close, to be in the center of the events and witness it with such power.

Try to imagine 50,000 people in silence adoring the Lord in the Holy Eucharist. It was overwhelming.

This day was short but very emotional. It ended with a talk by Bishop Christophe Pierre.

But my day was not over yet, it was not done until midnight, as I had photos and videos to edit.

Day 2

We started with Holy Mass, and that is when I realized how many nuns, priests, and bishops were here, it was estimated more than 1,000 nuns and priests, around 200 bishops and we also had a few cardinals.

After I had a chance to grab a quick coffee and snack and headed to the Expo hall to get more shots of the Relevant Radio booth and meet some people.

The second day of the National Eucharistic Congress included some amazing speakers, Lila Rose, Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, Ken & Mary Ann Dupopng, and Fr. Mike Schmitz. 

With all the amazing personalities with inspiring stories, I still feel “popmed” with love and motivation to do good. 

Jesus Christ

Day 3

I started day 3 of the National Eucharistic Congress with Holy Mass, led by Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory and attended by tens of thousands of people. It was an amazing experience and the perfect start to the day. 

Got a chance to grab a coffee and then head to Expo Hall to take more shots of what was happening. One of the events was a Relevant Radio breakout session with Fr. Rocky and Patrick Madrid. 

Also meeting my friend Maricela in the meantime. 

Before the evening session, I enjoyed dinner with my group from San Antonio and stopped by the Arthouse2B event happening next block. 

At the Revival session, I found out that my credentials changed and I was not able to run around the main floor anymore, but I found a chair farther away and was still able to capture speakers! 

Sister Josephine Garrett and Paula Umaña were so great, talking about personal problems and healing through Jesus! 

Day 4 & 5

How to describe joy?

How to describe hope? 

How to describe happiness? 

How to describe love? 

You just need two words. 

Jesus Christ! 

What we witnessed on Saturday in Indianapolis was a historic moment for the Catholic Church in the United States. 

New spring of the Church, but… 

It’s up to me if the world is going to change. 

It’s up to me if I inspire others to do good. 

It’s up to me if I am going to be the witness of Christ and share joy, hope and love with everyone around me. 

So what am I waiting for… 

If not today then when, if not me then who? 

Let’s go! 

The last day of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis was a mix of joy and sadness.

I want to stay here and keep “celebrating”.

I don’t want to say goodbyes to all those great people.

I don’t want to go back to everyday life where I will see ugliness, sin, and what seems like a path away from Christ.

But…

That’s exactly where I should be and I should spread a Good News of the Gospel!