Jean Ann Hausladen’s journey to the National Eucharistic Congress began with uncertainty. Attending alone, she worried that her experience might be diminished without her family. Yet, from the moment she arrived at her first stop in Minneapolis, she realized she was far from alone.
“At the Delta gate, it was clear that many of us were headed to the Congress,” Jean Ann recalled. Surrounded by priests, deacons, and even a bishop, she quickly felt a sense of solidarity and purpose. “Conversations began to flow, and any sense of isolation melted away.”
For Jean Ann, the Congress held personal significance beyond spiritual enrichment. She attended to honor her late father, who had participated in the 1941 Eucharistic Congress in St. Paul, Minnesota. “I knew he would have encouraged me to go and be a witness,” she reflected.
The Congress itself was overwhelming at first—spanning 900,000 square feet with thousands of attendees. Yet, Jean Ann found peace in the shared sense of purpose among the crowd. “Looking into the eyes of the religious sisters and the people around me, I saw love, joy, and anticipation,” she said.
One of the highlights for Jean Ann was the Empower impact sessions, designed to equip attendees as Eucharistic missionaries. These sessions featured powerful speakers such as Fr. John Burns and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. “Each speaker brought not just information but a unique witness to how the Eucharist can transform our lives,” she said.
Bishop Joseph Espaillat’s words particularly struck her: “Jesus didn’t come so things can be blah. He is the essence of life.” Jean Ann returned home feeling “empowered” to bring these lessons to her work as a volunteer catechist. Deacon Burke-Sivers’ emphasis on love over knowledge resonated deeply: “It is our love that will shine,” he said. As a volunteer with our Youth Faith Formation program, Jean Ann felt renewed in her mission to help children develop a personal relationship with Jesus.
The Eucharistic procession through the streets of Indianapolis left a lasting impact on Jean Ann. Walking with thousands of fellow Catholics, she witnessed the power of connection. A young woman she had met during the Congress introduced her to two homeless men, and together they joined the procession. “Even though they couldn’t always see the monstrance, they saw Jesus that day,” Jean Ann recalled.
At the procession’s culmination in Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, Jean Ann found herself before a beautiful outdoor altar, surrounded by thousands of faithful. “That moment alone made the journey worth it,” she said, recalling the power of witnessing Jesus’ true presence during benediction.
For Jean Ann, the Congress was not just about the large gatherings; it was also about moments of personal reflection. Perpetual Adoration at St. John the Evangelist Church provided a quiet space amidst the busyness of the Congress. “It was a little taste of ‘heavenly peace,’” she said.
As Jean Ann reflects on her pilgrimage, she is grateful for the experience and feels renewed in her faith. “We are called to stand out as followers of Jesus,” she said. “By our Baptism, we are set apart.”