“Never are we closer to God and to each other in His Church than when we gather around the sacred table of the altar to be fed by the bread of Heaven, the Most Holy Eucharist,” Cardinal Dolan said
Cardinal Timothy Dolan opened the first full day of the National Eucharistic Congress by celebrating Mass for 50,000 pilgrims at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Thursday.
The Archbishop of New York processed into the stadium with about 1,000 of his brother cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests from around the country.
“‘You have given them bread from Heaven, having all sweetness within it.’ My fellow pilgrims, to open this first full day of our historic Eucharistic Congress, with this holy meal of the Eucharist is fitting indeed, no?” Cardinal Dolan said, opening his homily. “Never are we closer to God and to each other in His Church than when we gather around the sacred table of the altar to be fed by the bread of Heaven, the Most Holy Eucharist.”
During the Mass, Cardinal Dolan also recognized those who participated in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage from start to finish, which departed from four respective corners of the United States on May 17, and ended on July 16 in Indianapolis. “Where are our heroes, those perpetual pilgrims who walked 60 days in company with the Most Blessed Sacrament? Where are the perpetual pilgrims?” Attendees gave the 30 pilgrims a warm round of applause.
The New York pilgrim delegation
On Wednesday, Cardinal Dolan celebrated Mass for auxiliary bishops, priests, and pilgrims from the Archdiocese of New York who traveled to Indianapolis for the congress. The Mass took place at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the first parish established in the Indiana capital. He was joined by bishops from the archdiocese who are also attending the congress, Auxiliary Bishop John Bonnici, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne, Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Colacicco, and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Espaillat.
More than 250 pilgrims from the archdiocese are attending the congress, including clergy, religious brothers and sisters, and laypeople.
Cardinal Dolan has served as Archbishop of New York since 2009. Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to cardinal in 2012.
The National Eucharistic Congress is a five-day event that concludes both the National Eucharistic Revival, which began in 2021, and the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. The congress lasts through Sunday, July 21. Follow The Good Newsroom for full coverage.