Staff, faculty, and students joyfully represented the University at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
Dear Friends,
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress that concluded just over a week ago was a truly remarkable experience of people united by their hunger for Christ. Our 50-person delegation was privileged to sponsor such a joyful gathering, but even more so to be counted among the nearly 60,000 who were drawn to Indianapolis.
Throughout the Congress, I was stopped by students, alumni, parents, and friends to wish us well and tell us how appreciative they are of our University.
Our breakout session “Is Orthodoxy Enough?” generated fruitful dialogue, with world-class expertise on family and education from Mary Pat Donoghue, Andrew Abela, and John and Clare Grabowski, ably moderated by our new media star Fr. Aquinas. The priest track we sponsored and the dating event hosted by The Catholic Project were also very well attended and well received.
On the final night of the Congress, our recent Commencement speaker Jonathan Roumie and our new Board member Bishop Robert Barron headlined the evening event in a packed Lucas Oil Stadium.
Special thanks really need to go not only to our donors, but also to our dedicated staff, faculty, and students who worked the booth throughout the Congress.
We are very blessed to have such faithful colleagues, and the Eucharistic Congress was a grace-filled moment for us to collaborate closely and shine our light. I have great hope that we will continue to experience the fruits of Eucharistic revival on our campus and throughout our nation.
Gratefully,
Peter Kilpatrick
President
The Catholic University of America
“I just got to witness hundreds, if not thousands of people every single day encounter Jesus, whether it be for the first time or the 100th time. And when you see that happening, it's worth it. Like every moment of suffering and exhaustion and pain, all the challenges of the summer - the lack of sleep, inconsistency in schedule, and every difficult conversation. All of it was worth it.”
— Catholic University theology major Danielle Schmitz, speaking of her experience as a Perpetual Pilgrim for the National Eucharistic Revival
Additional Highlights
- University President Dr. Peter Kilpatrick and VP for Ministry and Mission Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P. discussed the mission of Catholic higher education, conversion, and forming students as apostles during EWTN’s live coverage.
- University board member Bishop Robert Barron gave a stirring Saturday night address.
- Board of Trustees chair Rob Neal said the University’s presence at the Congress was a clear reflection of our mission. “For two millennia, the Church has led in education and art, in architecture and, in science. And it must not surrender those leads. We've been tasked with this.”
- Stephen White, executive director of The Catholic Project, published a beautiful reflection on the experience of the Congress: “A Eucharistic Triumph in Indianapolis”.