Embracing a time of building community around the Eucharist

I arrived at the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) on July 17, the first day of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress (NEC). Saint John the Evangelist Church, with perpetual adoration, was already full. Adorers were kneeling, sitting, standing; and those like me, rushing in, looking hard for a tiny spot before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Squeezing myself into a bench with enough space to kneel, my tears began to flow. It felt overwhelming and freeing at the same time. New life in Christ! Could this be what Eucharistic Revival mean?
 
In a few moments, I became aware of the people in front and around me. At St. John the Evangelist everyone – priests, women and men in consecrated life, lay faithful representing varying ages, many young families with babies – prayed in silence. There before the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar of sacrifice in an elevated gleaming gold monstrance, people knelt on the marble floor and on the steps leading up to the altar. Some prostrated to the floor and stayed in that posture for an extended time. Packed in like sardines, lost in emotions of repentance, I was deeply inspired by this community of adorers – by their faith, devotion, and reverence. I reached for my rosary looking to Mary, our Blessed Mother, for all, especially in a significant moment such as this.
 
On one day, as we rushed to get good seats and be next to family members or friends, someone said, “Can we pray together?” Spontaneously, a small group of the pilgrims whom I had never met before that day, formed in a circle holding onto one another. We bowed our heads with eyes closed praying in earnest, especially for those who, throughout our visit, expressed opposition for our belief.
 
Afterwards, members of the impromptu sidewalk prayer group exchanged cell phones, learning about one another. Some had their spouse and children who had just caught up and joined. We, total strangers, became friends. One can never underestimate the power of prayer. It binds us together in amazing ways as one Body in Christ.
 
On Saturday afternoon, at the grand Eucharistic procession to War Memorial Plaza, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament took the streets. “Viva Cristo Rey!” came in joyful shouts from a small group of pilgrims, waving their flags, playing their musical instruments, and dancing their cultural dance in the streets. Others soon joined when they realized, “Long Live Christ the King!” was being chanted. Dignitaries, children and families packed the streets. A sea of religious sisters and brothers in songs and prayers accompanying our Eucharistic Lord, stepping in witness to their life in consecration. Many were nuns who came from cloistered communities on special permission to attend the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. That was a ‘Vocation EXPO’ in perfection!
 
I had to wonder how many of the religious congregations have the Eucharist as central to their founding charism. In my own congregation, the Sisters of Christian Charity, there is documentation to the following. Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, our foundress, wrote in a letter, “The Blessed Sacrament is my life, my bliss. To it I owe the grace of persevering in my holy vocation amid the turmoil of the world.” The gift of the Eucharist endures. This August 21 the Sisters of Christian Charity are celebrating our 175th anniversary of founding. Without knowing all the communities present at NEC, I would venture to say, that the Eucharist is at the heart of all of the congregations universally.
 
Perhaps, part of this missionary work is to tell others what we have seen and heard at NEC. Looking inward, what happens to the blind, the lame, the lepers, deaf, the dead, and the poor within us? Looking outward, what do we see? Who is in our view? We can always find Jesus, the Messiah, on the altar of sacrifice. What about on the sidewalks and the streets? Many on our path may still be asking Jesus, “Are you the one…?