Thousands join in prayer and praise at Eucharistic Congress opening
CHARLOTTE — More than 2,500 people turned out Friday night as uplifting praise-and-worship music, prayer and a stirring message from Bishop Michael Martin combined to kick off the 2024 Eucharistic Congress.
Organizers estimated it was the largest opening night attendance ever in the event’s 20-year history.
The Congress continues on Saturday with one of the largest Eucharistic processions in the country, which typically draws 10,000 people walking through uptown Charlotte as a witness to Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist.
The two-day Congress is the first for newly ordained Bishop Martin, installed in May as Bishop of Charlotte, and featured robust Friday programming with a concert, keynote speech by the bishop, special movie screening, and Spanish-language play – geared toward youth and young adults.
“It’s beautiful. It’s so holy the minute you walk in,” said Our Lady of Grace parishioner Chryste Hofer, who traveled from Greensboro with friends to participate in her third Eucharistic Congress.
“You just melt when you see so many religious sisters and brothers in one place – you just feel like you’ve walked into home.”
‘IT’S SO SPECIAL TO BE HERE’
Nashville-based Catholic singer Sarah Kroger had audience members from teenagers to senior citizens – even the bishop himself – clapping and dancing in the aisles. Kroger, who has been nominated for a Dove Award, was fresh off a rousing performance at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July.
Young families gathered in one section, dancing and twirling with toddlers in their arms during Kroger’s performance, which included upbeat and more introspective worship songs, including music from her latest album “A New Reality.”
Alaina Evangelisto of Charlotte and her husband Gianna were among them, with their year-old twin daughters.
“We started coming here together in college and now it’s so special to be here with our babies,” Evangelisto said. “I love that there’s a concert this year…it’s great to have a different type of worship experience this year.”
After Kroger’s concert, the Benedictine monks from Belmont Abbey led the crowd in chanting Evening Prayer, also known as Vespers.
The evening also featured an appearance by “Adoration Ultra” runner Jimmy Coleman and others who were greeted by the cheering crowd inside the convention center after running 13 miles from St. Matthew Church to St. Ann Church to St. Patrick Cathedral.
‘GOD DESIRES US TO BE HERE’
Bishop Martin’s keynote address drew a standing ovation.
He reflected on ways that today’s world makes people feel disconnected, and he offered solutions for how to reconnect through faith in Christ. He assured the crowd “You belong here,” saying people from across the Diocese of Charlotte and the world can all find a place as followers of Christ.
“We claim a space among the People of God and not one of us can be left out,” he said. “…We must first acknowledge that we belong here, that this is our rightful place. God desires us to be here. God desires you and me to recognize our sacred calling as His children, and to give witness not just in the streets tomorrow morning, but throughout each and every day of our lives…”
Bishop Martin encouraged people to remember Christ’s promises and seek connection with Him in all parts of their lives, from the workplace to their relationships with family, friends and everyone they meet. He called out actions that cause people to disconnect from God and from others, including being judgmental of others.
The Congress offers a chance not only for Catholics to connect with Christ through the Eucharist, but also learn ways to offer that vital connection to others who are searching for meaning.
“We have the power to transform that, to make a difference here in western North Carolina,” he said. “…You belong here. I belong here. May we bring that message to our world that needs it so much. It will be the Eucharist that will remind us daily of who belongs, and the answer to that is always – everyone.”
St. John Neumann parishioner Ramon Aleman was moved by the bishop’s words.
“His message is phenomenal because he is challenging people not only to believe but to try to live more like saints,” Aleman said.
The message also spoke to Hofer, the Our Lady of Grace parishioner who traveled from Greensboro with friends to participate in her third Eucharistic Congress: “We’re all disconnected. We all judge in some way. How does this not speak to you?”
Her friend Nellie Jimenez, a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle in Greensboro, agreed.
“The bishop inspired us to bring others back to the Church, to let them know that no matter how things are going out there – they belong. And with help of Christ we can conquer anything. We just have to ask for forgiveness and for His help.”
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Patrick Schneider, Troy Hull, Kimberly Bender, Liz Chandler and Binh-An Nguyen.
More online
- More than 10,000 turn out for Eucharistic Congress
- Catholics fill the streets of Charlotte for Eucharistic Procession
- Bishop Martin: ‘May this Congress not stop here, but rather go out into the world’
Eucharistic Congress pilgrims reflect on Friday activities
Cathy Young (center)Cathy Young from St. Therese Parish in Mooresville returned to this year’s Eucharistic Congress for the first time in 15 years.
“My friends invited me to come, and I’m so happy to be here,” Young said. “I think it's really cool that there is an aspect for young adults on Friday night. That was really cool and really interesting to me.”
Cindy O’Brien, a member of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro, has attended every Eucharistic Congress since 2005 and
Cindy and John O'Brien said she hopes to meet the new bishop.
“It’s different every year because the Holy Spirit moves in different ways,” O’Brien said. “We love the procession and the chance to proclaim your faith publicly to Charlotte. You’ll see some of the workers stop and they'll look at us and they'll stop working, stare and ask what's going on, and then you get to witness to them. They're just stunned.”
High school senior Maggie Foppe has been coming to the Eucharistic Congress for more than 10 years. She recalls being reluctant at first to go to the youth tracks, but soon changed her mind.
“Every time I would come back smiling. It was a good experience being with a bunch of other Catholic kids my age and talk about the faith,” she said, noting her excitement for the other youth and young adult programming. “I knew things would be different walking in this year, but it was cool to see the different layout. I feel like we can fit more people in now.”
Matteo MaldonadoMatteo Maldonado from St. Mary Parish and Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro, is attending his third Eucharistic Congress this year and was eager to share his experience.
“This is pretty fun. I love it. I love coming here,” he said. “I love getting signatures of priests to pray for them, and they are going to pray for me, too. Probably one day in the future I'll get to come here as a priest.”
Martha Fenn from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Monroe was attending her third Eucharistic Congress. She also attended the
Norma Zitnik and Martha Fenn National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July and noted that it was a special experience, especially seeing Bishop Michael Martin there.
“Coming from the national event, I really felt like we have to support our local Eucharistic Congress. I love that we have programming in multiple languages. That’s very nice. I moved from another diocese, and they have tried to imitate the Diocese of Charlotte because it’s all organized and well thought of. It goes with the theme: ‘You belong here.’ The bishop’s message goes with the times because people are feeling lonely and anxious, and there are a lot of mental health issues, but people belong, they have a purpose, and that’s a good message.”
Norma Zitnik from St. Mark Parish in Huntersville has attended at least five Eucharistic Congresses.
“I think all the Congresses are beautiful,” Zitnik said. “Of course, this year is a little different because of the new bishop, but tonight is special for me. I usually attended on Saturdays, but it's not only for young adults, it's for everybody. So that’s why I came here.”
— Annie Ferguson