‘The Eucharist changes us’
CHARLOTTE — The 18th annual Eucharistic Congress culminated Saturday with worship, pageantry and joy during a closing Mass offered by Bishop Peter Jugis.
More than 8,000 Catholics from parishes and communities across western North Carolina came together for the celebration of the Eucharist with the bishop and clergy of the Diocese of Charlotte at the Charlotte Convention Center.
The Eucharistic Congress was a highlight of the diocese’s year-long 50th anniversary celebrations, and during his homily Bishop Jugis reflected on the historic moment.
“This Eucharistic Congress is a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte,” he said. “This Congress truly is an entirely unique diocesan celebration of our 50th anniversary.”
“We have been celebrating in our parishes and at other local events all year long, and we will continue to celebrate throughout this year. But at this Congress, we have come from many
parishes across the diocese to be together as one family in Christ,” he said.
Bishop Jugis emphasized the theme of change during his homily and other remarks at the Eucharistic Congress – especially as Saturday, Aug. 6, marked the feast of the Transfiguration, when Jesus appeared in dazzling glory before three of His disciples atop Mount Tabor.
“The Eucharistic Lord changes us. The Eucharist changes us,” the bishop 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.”
Yet, he noted, 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 explained.
“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.”
“Jesus, our High Priest, is present with us now at this Holy Mass,” Bishop Jugis said. “We are delighted to be here with Him in His Presence. He is presiding invisibly over this Eucharistic celebration, just as He does over every Eucharistic celebration – over every Mass that is celebrated.”
During Mass we encounter the saving Presence of Christ in the Eucharist – and change is affected in us and in our world, he said.
“We come into intimate union with Christ, and He satisfies our soul.”
Referring to the Gospel reading from Luke (Chapter 9) that recounts the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, Bishop Jugis said it “reminds us of the amazing miracle of the Lord’s Real Presence in the Eucharist that we are blessed to experience at every Mass, and how in Holy Communion He satisfies our soul’s deepest hunger for God and His grace.”
Once changed, we are called to share the message of God’s love with others, he said.
He urged everyone, “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. Photos by James Sarkis, Patrick Schneider Photography, Amy Burger, Liz Chandler, SueAnn Howell and Giuliana Riley
Bishop Peter J.Jugis' homily
Eucharistic Congress 2022: Homily for Closing Mass
Jesus, our High Priest, is present with us now at this Holy Mass. We are delighted to be here with Him in His presence. He is presiding invisibly over this Eucharistic celebration, just as He does over every Eucharistic celebration – over every Mass that is celebrated. (Catechism #1348). Lord, it is good that we are here with you. (Mt. 17: 4).
We have just heard the Gospel story of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to feed the thousands who were with Jesus that evening long ago. It reminds us that there is another miracle – a far greater miracle – that we will witness this evening at this Mass: the miracle of the Eucharist! The power of Christ’s words, and the action of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit (Catechism #1353) will change bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood, and Christ will make Himself present. (Catechism #1374).
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. (Catechism #1376). 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.
The Gospel story of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes goes on to tell us that the thousands of people who ate the loaves and fishes blessed by Jesus that evening “were satisfied.” “They all ate and were satisfied.” (Lk 9: 17). This reminds us, more importantly, that our partaking of Christ in Holy Communion “satisfies” the deepest hunger of our life – the spiritual hunger for God and His grace. The crowds ate and were satisfied, and we eat and are satisfied because Christ Himself becomes our nourishment in Holy Communion. Jesus is really, truly and substantially present in the Eucharist. We come into intimate union with Christ, and He satisfies our soul.
This Gospel story of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, reminds us of the amazing miracle of the Lord’s Real Presence in the Eucharist that we are blest to experience at every Mass, and how in Holy Communion He satisfies our soul’s deepest hunger for God and His grace.
This Eucharistic Congress is a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte. We have been celebrating in our parishes and at other local events all year long, and we will continue to celebrate throughout this year. But at this Congress, we have come from many parishes across the diocese to be together as one family in Christ. This Congress truly is an entirely unique diocesan celebration of our 50th anniversary.
We have been refreshed spiritually at this Congress by being with the Lord, and by being with our brothers and sisters in the faith. The Eucharistic Lord changes us. The Eucharist changes us. 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.
