In the language of gridiron football, the Eucharistic procession at Lucas Oil Stadium the night of July 19 was a home game. Before 50,000 faithful Catholics, the consecrated host was carried around the floor by Benedictine Father Boniface Hicks. In repentance, faith, and adoration, the crowd fell from their seats to their knees in the four lower bowls of the stadium.
Today, the Eucharist goes on the road. From 3 to 5 p.m. July 19, Christ will be carried through downtown Indianapolis, from North Meridian Street to Maryland Street to Capitol Avenue to South Street. Several roads in the area will be closed from 2 to 7 p.m.
“He is walking out into the streets, into need and hunger,” said emcee Montse Alvarado. “Don’t let him walk alone.”
The solemn procession of the Eucharist followed a talk by Sister Josephine Garrett, a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth who professed her solemn vows in 2020.
“The word ‘congress’ comes from the Latin roots meaning ‘to walk together,’” said Sister Garrett.
She also spoke on the theme of Christ’s healing in the Eucharist amidst our brokenness. “Healing begins with repentance,” said Sister Garrett.
“I want to beg you tonight to not be dismayed, not become overwhelmed and not get lost in yourselves,” she continued. “We can be people who repent with courage and joy.”
James Hammes, a parishioner of Sacred Heart, Prince George, was struck by this. “When we think of repentance, we normally think of our sins, we think of a negative aspect.”
“The concept of repenting with courage and joy was a completely new concept to me,” he continued. “I’ve never thought about it like that, but it makes perfect sense. And I’ve gotten things like that on a daily basis.”
“It’s been rich,” Hammes said of the congress. “It’s the richest experience I’ve ever had in the Church, and I go to Mass all the time. And I think it will make Mass richer.”
Catherine French – daughter of Sarah French, director of faith formation at St. Anne, Bristol – will be one of many first communicants walking in front of the procession, putting down flower petals in front of Christ.
“Feel your heartbeat, and feel the beat of God’s heart within you,” Sister Miriam James Heidland, emcee, told the crowd.
“The healer is coming,” she said. “The divine physician, the one who heals us and loves us, the bridegroom is coming.”