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1881: The Movement Begins:
The first, international, Eucharistic Congress in Lille, France, is themed “The Eucharist Saves the World.” This launched a movement of Eucharistic congresses worldwide. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK) — 1881: The Movement Begins: The first, international, Eucharistic Congress in Lille, France, is themed “The Eucharist Saves the World.” This launched a movement of Eucharistic congresses worldwide. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK)

1895: Washington, D.C.:
The first National Eucharistic Congress held in the United States takes place at The Catholic University of America and St. Patrick’s Church in Washington, D.C., 14 years after Lille. Bishop Camillus Paul Maes of Covington, Kentucky, a fervent advocate for Eucharistic devotion, plays a pivotal role in promoting this congress and the four that followed. (foto: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) — 1895: Washington, D.C.: The first National Eucharistic Congress held in the United States takes place at The Catholic University of America and St. Patrick’s Church in Washington, D.C., 14 years after Lille. Bishop Camillus Paul Maes of Covington, Kentucky, a fervent advocate for Eucharistic devotion, plays a pivotal role in promoting this congress and the four that followed. (foto: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

1901: St. Louis:
The second National Eucharistic Congress is held at St. Francis Xavier, the college church for Saint Louis University, which was founded in 1818 by Bishop Louis William Valentine DuBourg of Louisiana and the Floridas. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK) — 1901: St. Louis: The second National Eucharistic Congress is held at St. Francis Xavier, the college church for Saint Louis University, which was founded in 1818 by Bishop Louis William Valentine DuBourg of Louisiana and the Floridas. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK)

1904: New York:
The third National Eucharistic Congress is held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, now the heart of the Big Apple’s business district. (foto: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) — 1904: New York: The third National Eucharistic Congress is held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, now the heart of the Big Apple’s business district. (foto: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

1907: Pittsburgh:
The Cathedral of St. Paul in the Steel City is the site of the fourth National Eucharistic Congress. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS) — 1907: Pittsburgh: The Cathedral of St. Paul in the Steel City is the site of the fourth National Eucharistic Congress. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS)

1911: Cincinnati:
Cincinnati’s St. Peter’s Cathedral serves as the site of the fifth National Eucharistic Congress, which was the first to convene after Pope St. Pius X promulgated Quam Singulari, the decree admitting younger children to Holy Communion. The Queen City continues to be a hub of Catholicity more than 100 years later. (foto: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) — 1911: Cincinnati: Cincinnati’s St. Peter’s Cathedral serves as the site of the fifth National Eucharistic Congress, which was the first to convene after Pope St. Pius X promulgated Quam Singulari, the decree admitting younger children to Holy Communion. The Queen City continues to be a hub of Catholicity more than 100 years later. (foto: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

1926: International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago:
The 28th International Eucharistic Congress, the first to be held in the U.S., took place at Soldier Field and other sites in the Chicago area. Religious sisters made more than 4 million hosts for the event. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS) — 1926: International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago: The 28th International Eucharistic Congress, the first to be held in the U.S., took place at Soldier Field and other sites in the Chicago area. Religious sisters made more than 4 million hosts for the event. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS)

1930: Omaha, Nebraska:
The sixth National Eucharistic Congress is held at several locations in the Gateway to the West, including St. Cecilia’s Cathedral and Creighton University. A number of newsreel companies were on hand to film the event. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK) — 1930: Omaha, Nebraska: The sixth National Eucharistic Congress is held at several locations in the Gateway to the West, including St. Cecilia’s Cathedral and Creighton University. A number of newsreel companies were on hand to film the event. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK)

1930-1941: Bishop Schrembs Presiding:
Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland issued the first national invitation to laity in the history of the congress movement. In addition to the usual planning committee of clergy, there was a lay committee, and the sessions for clergy were complemented by sessions and programs for Catholic men and women. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS) — 1930-1941: Bishop Schrembs Presiding: Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland issued the first national invitation to laity in the history of the congress movement. In addition to the usual planning committee of clergy, there was a lay committee, and the sessions for clergy were complemented by sessions and programs for Catholic men and women. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS)

1935: Cleveland:
Some 500,000 Catholics from around the nation attended the seventh National Eucharistic Congress. The concluding Mass, in Cleveland Municipal Stadium, drew 125,000. Speakers included Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen and Alfred E. Smith, the first Catholic major party presidential candidate. Pope Pius XI addressed the Congress by radio. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS) — 1935: Cleveland: Some 500,000 Catholics from around the nation attended the seventh National Eucharistic Congress. The concluding Mass, in Cleveland Municipal Stadium, drew 125,000. Speakers included Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen and Alfred E. Smith, the first Catholic major party presidential candidate. Pope Pius XI addressed the Congress by radio. (foto: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS)

1938: New Orleans:
The eighth National Eucharistic Congress is held in City Park Stadium. The Goodyear blimp broadcast sermons, music and the Rosary over special loudspeakers along the route for the final procession. Over radio, Pope Pius XI opened the congress with a five-minute address and closed it with a special blessing from Castel Gandolfo. (foto: WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION) — 1938: New Orleans: The eighth National Eucharistic Congress is held in City Park Stadium. The Goodyear blimp broadcast sermons, music and the Rosary over special loudspeakers along the route for the final procession. Over radio, Pope Pius XI opened the congress with a five-minute address and closed it with a special blessing from Castel Gandolfo. (foto: WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION)

1941: St. Paul:
The fairgrounds for the Minnesota State Fair is the site for the ninth National Eucharistic Congress. About 150 bishops from across the United States attend. (foto: ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS) — 1941: St. Paul: The fairgrounds for the Minnesota State Fair is the site for the ninth National Eucharistic Congress. About 150 bishops from across the United States attend. (foto: ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS)

1941-Present: A Pause:
World War II disrupts plans for Eucharistic congresses all over the globe. International Eucharistic Congresses resume in 1952. (foto: Illustration from 1908 Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary; public domain) — 1941-Present: A Pause: World War II disrupts plans for Eucharistic congresses all over the globe. International Eucharistic Congresses resume in 1952. (foto: Illustration from 1908 Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary; public domain)

1962-1965: The Second Vatican Council:
Vatican II reiterates the centrality of the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church, calling it ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ (foto: WOLFGANG STUCK/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) — 1962-1965: The Second Vatican Council: Vatican II reiterates the centrality of the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church, calling it ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ (foto: WOLFGANG STUCK/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

1976: International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia:
Philadelphia hosts a historic 41st International Eucharistic Congress during the U.S. bicentennial featuring 417 bishops from around the world (including the future Pope John Paul II) and a panel discussion on ‘Women and the Eucharist’ featuring Dorothy Day and St. Teresa of Calcutta. (foto: NATIONAL ARCHIVES) — 1976: International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia: Philadelphia hosts a historic 41st International Eucharistic Congress during the U.S. bicentennial featuring 417 bishops from around the world (including the future Pope John Paul II) and a panel discussion on ‘Women and the Eucharist’ featuring Dorothy Day and St. Teresa of Calcutta. (foto: NATIONAL ARCHIVES)

2019: Eucharistic Disharmony:
A study from the Pew Center finds that only 31% of Catholics in the U.S. believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, a foundational belief for Catholics. (foto: UNSPLASH) — 2019: Eucharistic Disharmony: A study from the Pew Center finds that only 31% of Catholics in the U.S. believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, a foundational belief for Catholics. (foto: UNSPLASH)

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic:
Catholic churches worldwide close their doors for extended periods during the global COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a monthslong suspension of public Masses and reception of Holy Communion. (foto: GETTY IMAGES) — 2020: COVID-19 Pandemic: Catholic churches worldwide close their doors for extended periods during the global COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a monthslong suspension of public Masses and reception of Holy Communion. (foto: GETTY IMAGES)

2022: Revival:
The U.S. bishops announce a three-year Eucharistic Revival, with the first year focusing on diocesan renewal. ‘Eucharistic missionaries’ from all walks of life are also trained through online and in-person resources to teach about Christ and the Holy Eucharist. (foto: JOHNATHON KELSO/THE GEORGIA BULLETIN) — 2022: Revival: The U.S. bishops announce a three-year Eucharistic Revival, with the first year focusing on diocesan renewal. ‘Eucharistic missionaries’ from all walks of life are also trained through online and in-person resources to teach about Christ and the Holy Eucharist. (foto: JOHNATHON KELSO/THE GEORGIA BULLETIN)

2023: Prepping Parishes:
The second year of the Eucharistic Revival is dedicated to fostering Eucharistic devotion at the parish level. (foto: UNSPLASH) — 2023: Prepping Parishes: The second year of the Eucharistic Revival is dedicated to fostering Eucharistic devotion at the parish level. (foto: UNSPLASH)

May 19, 2024: Pentecost Pilgrimage:
Tens of thousands of pilgrims from east, west, north and south, many on foot, begin their trek that will culminate at the National Congress in Indianapolis. (foto: CATHERINE HADRO/EWTN NEWS) — May 19, 2024: Pentecost Pilgrimage: Tens of thousands of pilgrims from east, west, north and south, many on foot, begin their trek that will culminate at the National Congress in Indianapolis. (foto: CATHERINE HADRO/EWTN NEWS)

July 17-21, 2024: Indianapolis Convergence:
Pilgrims converge on Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK) — July 17-21, 2024: Indianapolis Convergence: Pilgrims converge on Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. (foto: SHUTTERSTOCK)

The Road to the National Eucharistic Congress: A Timeline

Learn about why 2024 is historic ahead of the main event this week in Indianapolis.

Galleries July 16, 2024

Scroll through the interesting history!

Sources: University of Dayton, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Wikipedia, Vatican.va, and EucharisticCongress.org

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