Indianapolis to host 80,000 Catholics in first Eucharistic Congress in 48 years
Indianapolis will once again play host to a major national gathering.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently selected the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to host the national Eucharistic Congress in July 2024, marking the first congress in 48 years, according to the Archdiocese.
The event is expected to draw 80,000 people, organizers said.
“If you give us the green flag to this project, we’ll be ready with the checkered flag," Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson said at the conference's Fall General Assembly in Baltimore last week.
The congress is part of a three-year revival initiative planned by the Conference of Catholic Bishops, with hopes of rekindling devotees' relationship to the Eucharist.
Eucharist is the sacrament where Christians eat blessed bread and wine to commemorate Jesus' last supper and sacrifice.
When choosing Indianapolis as a location, the conference cited other major upcoming events, including the College Football playoffs and the Indy 500, and Indiana's proximity to other areas in the country.
The Eucharistic Congress will take place July 17-July 24, 2024.
Contact Rashika Jaipuriar at rjaipuriar@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @rashikajpr.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Indianapolis in 2024
