For Dan Eliason, attending the 10th National Eucharistic Congress was a spiritual and deeply personal journey, one that brought him closer to his faith and his fellow Catholics. Although he arrived late in the week, on Friday, July 19th, his experience of the Congress was no less powerful or transformative. From moments of profound silence to lively celebrations, Dan found himself deeply moved by the unity and reverence that characterized the event.
One of Dan’s first encounters was during a Revival session on Friday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium. As he joined over 60,000 other Catholics, he was struck by the sight of so many gathered in worship. The evening’s speakers, including Sister Josephine Garrett and Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB, offered powerful reflections on God’s purpose and our diversity as His children. Yet, it was the Eucharistic procession that left an indelible mark on Dan’s heart. As Fr. Hicks carried the monstrance through the stadium, a sacred hush fell over the crowd. The reverence was palpable, as 60,000 people knelt in unison, praying and adoring Christ in the Eucharist. In that moment, Dan witnessed something extraordinary—people reaching out to touch the priest’s robe, just as in the Gospel of Mark, where the woman reached out in faith to be healed by Jesus.
Saturday brought new experiences as Dan explored the vast Exhibition Hall, an impressive space filled with hundreds of exhibits representing Catholic ministries, media outlets, and religious orders. He spent hours walking through the hall, absorbing the richness and diversity of the Church’s mission. But the highlight of the day was the Eucharistic procession through the streets of downtown Indianapolis. Dan was struck by the sheer number of religious present— seminarians, priests, deacons, and religious sisters—marching in joyful procession alongside tens of thousands of laypeople. When the Blessed Sacrament passed by, Dan joined the crowd, walking together as one Body of Christ.
The day concluded with another powerful revival session, led by Catholic musician Matt Maher. The energy in the stadium was electric as young people rushed to the stage to join in praise and worship. A special moment came when actor Jonathan Roumie, known for his portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen, delivered a reading from the Bread of Life discourse in the Gospel of John. His words left a deep impression on the crowd, drawing them closer to the heart of Christ.
On Sunday, the Congress culminated with a send-off Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Mass was a vivid display of the universal Church, with Cardinal Luis Tagle delivering his homily in multiple languages to reflect the diversity of the attendees. As Dan witnessed 60,000 Catholics receive the Eucharist in a remarkably organized manner, he was filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for the unity and strength of the Church.
Dan left the Congress changed, pondering the question posed by Bishop Barron during the final session: “Where will Jesus take His Church from here, and how can I become a part of it?” Inspired by the example of Dorothy Day, Dan understood that his role, like that of all laity, was to help lead others toward spiritual growth—one person at a time, through the power of the Sacraments and, above all, the Eucharist.