Gulf Pine Catholic

4 Gulf Pine Catholic • August 16, 2024 Pilgrims from the Diocese of Biloxi recount experiences at National Eucharistic Congress BY TERRY DICKSON INDIANAPOLIS -- On the first evening of the National Eucharistic Congress, as more than 50,000 people gathered inside Lucas Oil Stadium for the culmination of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, Deacon John Jennings was overcome with emotion at the thought of what the Church in the United States had accomplished. “Imagine, our Lord processed on four separate routes for over 60 days and covering over 6,600 miles. Then the main ‘headliner’ was brought to center stage, Jesus Christ Himself in the Blessed Sacrament was carried in by a bishop and placed on the altar for a period of Adoration,” said Deacon Jennings, who is assigned to Holy Spirit Parish in Vancleave. That bishop was Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, who also chaired the board of the National Eucharistic Congress. Deacon Jennings was moved profoundly by the words of Bishop Cozzens, who set the tone for the five-day congress by saying the first thing partici- pants should do is speak with God. “Over 50,000 people dropped to their knees in Adoration, joined together by our common belief that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist,” said Deacon Jennings. “Not a bad way to begin the evening. My experience can be summed up in two words: joy and love.” In fact, the love and joy that was on display that first night permeated the entire event, which was attended by approximately 250 pilgrims from the Diocese of Biloxi, including Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III and his vicar general, Father Adam Urbaniak. “There was great joy present throughout the Congress,” said Deacon Jennings. “I noticed it first in the many religious sisters that were present. Each of them radiated great joy. You could see it in their smiles and the way they interacted with everyone. It finally occurred to me the reason, or rather source, of their joy; they were in love! They were in love with Jesus Christ and it showed.” Deacon Jennings called the joy “contagious.” “As the week progressed, you could see and feel more and more people experiencing this same Joy,” he said. “Each night over 50,000 people kneeled in Adoration of our Lord present in the Eucharist. Each day thousands of people received our Lord’s mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our God made His presence and love known to each of us.” SEE NEC24, PAGE 5 Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III is pictured with pilgrims from the Diocese of Biloxi at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Photo/Juliana Skelton