5 things you shouldn’t miss at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress

A relic of St. Junípero Serra at the Reliquary Chapel at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. / Credit: Ursula Murua/EWTN News

CNA Staff, Jul 17, 2024 / 11:55 am (CNA).

The NFL’s Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis are all set to welcome more than 50,000 Catholics to the National Eucharistic Congress taking place July 17–21. The five-day congress will bring the faithful together to inspire people to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist.

The congress will have opportunities for attendees to take part in Eucharistic adoration, confession, liturgies, musical performances, and a variety of talks and keynote speeches aimed at fostering spiritual renewal and unity. 

There will also be five key exhibits that attendees can visit daily. These are the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit, the Reliquary Chapel, a preview of “Bernadette de Lourdes, The Musical,” and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. 

Here’s a closer look at these five activities open to all participants at the congress: 

National Shroud of Turin Exhibit 

A replica of the incredible 14-foot linen burial shroud will be on display in an interactive and immersive high-tech educational exhibit daily from noon to 6:30 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center. 

There will also be three 45-minute presentations taking place each day at the exhibit. Dr. Cheryl White will give a talk titled “Jerusalem to Turin: The Shroud’s Elusive History,” Father Andrew Dalton will discuss how the shroud is a mirror of the Gospel, and Pam McCue will give a talk titled “Power of a Traveling Shroud Exhibit.” 

Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit 

This powerful exhibit will explore some of the most amazing Eucharistic miracles from around the world and will be open to attendees daily from noon to 6:30 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center. The collection of miracles was compiled by Blessed Carlo Acutis with the hope to bolster people’s faith and prove Jesus’ very real presence in the Eucharist.

Reliquary Chapel

Catholics attending the congress will have a rare opportunity to venerate the relics of the patron saints of the National Eucharistic Revival, Congress, and Pilgrimage each day from noon to 6:30 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center. The relics included are from Sts. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Manuel González García, Paschal Baylon, Junípero Serra, Juan Diego, and Blessed Carlo Acutis as well as part of a relic known as the “Veil of Our Lady.” 

You can read more about each of these relics here. 

‘Bernadette de Lourdes, The Musical’

Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch a 30-minute preview of “Bernadette de Lourdes, The Musical” on July 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. The French musical tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous, an ordinary girl who witnessed something extraordinary and became a beloved saint of the Church. The musical will be making 30 stops in cities across the U.S. as it tours the country in 2025.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

For those attending the congress with little ones, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a powerful approach to the spiritual formation of children. Using Montessori principles, children of all ages will encounter God in age-appropriate ways. There are options for infants and toddlers, ages 3–6, and children ages 6–9 and 9–12. This unique experience will be available at the Indiana Convention Center from noon to 6:30 p.m. daily.