Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • August 16, 2024 11 Thanks to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary for prayers answered. LD I saw it. The church in the United States has wit- nessed the defining moment of a generation. There’s no other way to describe it. I had high hopes for the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, but, to put it simply, Our Lord brought me to my knees in In- dianapolis. In the months leading up to the congress, I joined hundreds of other volunteers in planning meetings, be- ginning to do my part to make this gathering possible. OSV was the first major benefactor, pledging a million dollars to support the congress when it was first an- nounced. It was important for us as an organization. But it was important for me personally. I’ve spent the last year and a half trav- eling across the country, sup- porting the National Eucha- ristic Revival as a Eucharistic preacher. I believed in the call for revival from the start. I knew we had to do something. And I fervently hoped this ini- tiative would help. Like many who served the congress, I had my frustra- tions. I’m not proud to admit it. I was cross and exasperated with various organizational decisions. It wasn’t a perfect event (no one is claiming that). But I have a bold- er, more important observation to share. The moment the first revival session began in Lucas Oil Stadi- um, the Lord began to work in my heart in a new way. I shouted and cheered with joy at the triumphant entry of the perpetual pilgrims. These were the young people who, for 60 days, traveled to testify to the Real Presence and bring revival to towns and cities across the country. They had done something marvelous for Jesus. I had the pleasure of getting to know many of them through- out their pilgrimage, catching up with them in unlikely and marvelous situations. I admire them (and the priests who accompanied them). And I’m deeply grateful for their witness. But this moment -- which I had eagerly awaited -- wasn’t the moment that rent my heart. In a dark stadium, a spotlight shone bright, illumi- nating the immense monstrance that bore a dinner-plate- sized host. The same God who created heaven and earth, the God who declared “Let there be light,” was present. It was when the Blessed Sacrament entered Lucas Oil Stadium. That was the moment the Lord began a transformation, a moment He began something within me. He was at work among us. Drawing us near. And -- to my delight -- He did something for me. It wasn’t that I doubted what Jesus taught about the Eucharist. But I had hedged my interior bets about how He would be at work at the congress. I was withholding, not fully surrendering. I had been worried, anxious and critical. I had been under the impression that everything I had been working for was for someone else, for the experience of all the congress attendees. But Jesus took all that from me when He arrived. And He showed up for me. He was there. Present body, blood, soul and divinity. I heard Him speak to me. And finally, I could surrender all of this work to Him. My experience at the congress was electrifying. And I wasn’t alone. Tens of thousands joined me in silent prayer on our knees in an NFL stadium. Tens of thou- sands will go forth from Indianapolis, sharing what God has done for us. Each of us. Personally. The 10th National Eucharistic Congress wasn’t an event. It wasn’t a celebration or festival. It was the de- fining encounter of a generation. It was the decisive moment when Jesus began to do something transforma- tional for His Church. It was a work fashioned in the hearts of everyone present who was open to Him. In a word, it was a revival. Father Patrick Briscoe, OP, is editor of Our Sunday Visitor. Follow him on X @PatrickMaryOP I have tasted revival Guest Columnist Father Briscoe Las Misas Celebradas en Español / Masses Celebrated in Spanish Sábado/Saturday Laurel: Immaculate Conception Parish, 8 p.m. Pascagoula: Sacred Heart Parish, 6 p.m. Domingo/Sunday Bay St. Louis: St. Rose de Lima Parish, 12 noon Biloxi: Blessed Seelos Parish, 11 a.m. Gulfport: St. John the Evangelist Parish, 2 p.m. Hattiesburg: Sacred Heart Parish, 1:30 p.m. Laurel: Immaculate Conception Parish, 4 p.m Ocean Springs: St. Alphonsus Parish, 2 p.m. Picayune: St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 12:30 p.m. Lunes/Monday Biloxi: Our Lady of Fatima Parish, 6 p.m. Jueves/Thursday Laurel: Immaculate Conception Parish, 7 p.m.