Theological College was well-represented at the Tenth National Eucharistic Congress held at Lucas Oil Stadium and Indiana Convention Centre from July 17 to 21. As part of the Catholic University of America, the seminary was highlighted at the exhibitor booth. Along with Dr. Susan Timoney, the associate dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Fr. Bud Stevens, rector, and Fr. Chris Arockiaraj, vice-rector, welcomed the Eucharistic Congress attendees and promoted the uniqueness of the TC formation program and the various degree programs hosted by Catholic University.
A good number of young men who showed interest in entering seminary were encouraged and directed to follow-up with their desire. There were also many bishops and priests who stopped by, expressing appreciation for the priestly formation program offered at TC and Catholic University. It added additional joy to meet so many TC alumni priests and bishops at the exhibitor booth and at the Congress.
The rector enthusisatically commented, “The Congress was an incredible witness of God’s love for his people. It was like being part of the multitude Our Lord fed with miraculous bread during his earthly life.”
There were nearly 60,000 Catholics who gathered at this historic event, which was held 81 years after the previous Eucharistic Congress in 1951. The goal of the Congress was to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist.” At the closing Mass, the papal envoy, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, an alumnus of Catholic University and the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, said that Eucharistic renewal should lead us to become “missionary disciples.” The Eucharistic Congress was an invitation to priests, including seminary formators, to continue creating opportunities in pastoral and formation settings for seminarians and lay people alike to grow closer to Our Lord in the reality of the Eucharist.
