NEC programming in Spanish brings an opportunity to unite around the Lord

By Maria-Pia Negro Chin, OSV News

(OSV News) -- The 10th National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21 in Indianapolis is an opportunity to "come together in faith, as brothers and sisters," said Jaime Reyna, who is responsible for the congress' multiculturalism and inclusiveness.

There will be many opportunities to grow in faith, experience personal renewal and praise Jesus in the Eucharist. And many of these opportunities will be available in Spanish, Reyna added as he extended an invitation to the Hispanic community and answered the question that many people who call the organizers' offices have.

"The congress is going to offer Masses in Spanish, presentations in Spanish," and the sessions in English will be translated into Spanish, Reyna said. This congress is a great chance, he stressed, "to give glory to our Lord because it was necessary for our church (to show) that we are all united saying that we love and believe in Jesus in the Eucharist."

This event will draw tens of thousands of Catholics of all ages to participate in worship, prayer, and moments of formation and unity in Christ. It will begin on the evening of July 17 by uniting the four routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and culminating with the arrival of the Eucharistic Jesus to Lucas Oil Stadium. This opening ceremony will include testimonies (in English), speeches and prayer, and Eucharistic adoration.

Organizers said each day is designed to facilitate an encounter with Jesus. After morning Mass, attendees can go to impact sessions in the morning -- with the themes Encounter, Encuentro, Empower, Renewal, Cultivate, Awaken, and Abide -- and breakout sessions in the afternoon.

The Encuentro sessions are for Hispanic Catholics "who desire a deeper renewal of their faith and a richer understanding of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and who are wondering what the next step will be in their faith journey," the conference website explains.

It also is a time for people serving in different ministries to stand alongside other laypeople from across the U.S. who have the same desire to give glory to God, Reyna said. "I hope these sessions touch the hearts of those present."

Speakers for the Spanish-language impact sessions include Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas; Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio; Auxiliary Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat of New York; Kathia Arango, director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and chair of the National Hispanic Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the U.S. and Canada; Mabel Suarez, current representative of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Region 8; and Dora Tobar, international speaker and researcher in theology and family ministry.

Andrés Arango, director of evangelization for the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, will moderate the sessions, with Nico Cabrera and Kairy Márquez leading moments of praise and worship. "Aside from the presentations, we want to be united in prayer," said Reyna, adding that even for bilingual people, having opportunities to pray in Spanish is very important.

By choosing one of the afternoon breakout sessions (July 18-20), attendees will focus on topics like how to explore strategies to ensure that people with disabilities fully celebrate the sacraments and how the Eucharist calls us to listen to the cry of the poor and respond to Jesus' command in the Gospel to "feed the hungry."

Speakers for the Spanish-language breakout sessions include theologian Hosffman Ospino from Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry and Marilyn Santos, associate director of the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Additionally, well-known Latino speakers, such as singer and guitarist Tony Melendez, will give talks in English.

On Saturday, July 20, attendees can choose between three Spanish-language sessions: a conversation with Paula Umaña, a former professional tennis player who, after giving birth for the fifth time, suddenly fell ill and became a quadriplegic, who will talk about how Mary's yes leads us to communion; a talk by Andrés González, host of the program Actualidad y Fe on ESNE TV and radio, who will analyze why so many Catholics in the U.S. doubt the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and what to do about it; and a presentation on "St. Mary of Guadalupe, Mother of the Eucharist," given by Monsignor Eduardo Chavez, rector and co-founder of the Institute for Guadalupan Studies in Mexico City and postulator for St. Juan Diego's sainthood cause.

After the sessions, tens of thousands of Catholics will process through the streets of Indianapolis "adoring our Lord Jesus Christ, as we do on the feasts of Corpus Christi," Reyna said.

The congress also will include a display of a replica of the Shroud of Turin and an expo hall that will include art exhibits, musical performances -- representing the country's cultural diversity -- and information on formation and service opportunities. There will be perpetual adoration at St. John the Evangelist Church near the convention center, and attendees can receive the sacrament of reconciliation at the congress.

This National Eucharistic Congress is part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year initiative launched by the U.S. bishops in 2022 to deepen Catholics' relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.

In Indianapolis, all attendees can attend evening revival sessions (in English but will be translated) that will feature profound discourses on God's love and moments of Eucharistic adoration accompanied by sacred music and moments of silence to contemplate the Lord.

On the closing morning of the congress, Mother Adela Galindo, founder of the Miami-based religious order of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and Chris Stefanick, a popular speaker and president of Real Life Catholic, will lead a revival session on how to become Eucharistic missionaries. The final liturgy with the papal delegate will be followed by Eucharistic adoration. The congress will conclude with a grand commission to joyfully proclaim the Gospel, kicking off the National Eucharistic Revival's Year of Mission.

Reyna invited those still deciding whether to attend to register soon since, according to a congress press release issued April 26, less than 20% of the seats are available. He also said that, although the congress lasts five days, one-day passes are available for purchase. He added that some scholarships are still available, advising people to visit the congress' website for more details. He also clarified that there are still accommodations available around Indianapolis. He also said that there are other ways to get involved, whether by praying, volunteering or being a "padrino o madrina" and sponsoring someone to attend the congress.

The body of Christ is coming together -- something that "hasn't happened in 83 years," said Reyna, referring to the most recent National Eucharistic Congress held in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1941.

"God is inviting us to have this moment," he said. "For me, the vision is like a tabernacle in Indianapolis, where we are all going to be there, with our Lord, adoring him ... to be a witness to the whole world, that we are Catholics, that we love our Lord in the Eucharist, that we are here."