Bishop Cozzens: ‘We expect miracles’ at US Eucharistic Congress

By Christopher Wells and Joseph Tulloch

Tens of thousands of pilgrims arrived in the US city of Indianapolis on Tuesday at the conclusion of the pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress, taking place from 17-21 July.

More than 100,000 faithful took part at various points in the pilgrimage, which began on 17 May and covered more than 6,500 miles – over 10,000 kilometres – along four pilgrimage routes from every corner of the United States.

Pilgrims took part in a welcoming Mass celebrated by Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson, and concelebrated by numerous bishops, including Cardinal Antonio Tagle – Pope Francis’ delegate to the Congress – and Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, the chair of the organizing committee for the Congress.

The Tenth National Eucharistic Congress in the United States marks a high point in ongoing National Eucharistic Revival sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Called to be missionary disciples

The Eucharistic Congress is the culmination of the second year of the Revival, dedicated to revival in parishes throughout the country. “It’s a missionary year where we’re inviting every Catholic to take up their call from Pope Francis to be missionary disciples,” said Bishop Cozzens in a phone interview with Vatican Radio.

Bishop Cozzens says the American bishops took their inspiration from Pope Francis’ programmatic 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world.

“Encounter and mission are two staples of our Eucharistic Revival in Congress,” Bishop Cozzens said, explaining, “We want people to encounter Jesus and then send them on mission, which we got, of course, from Evangelii gaudium.”

Expecting miracles

Asked about his expectations for the Eucharistic Congress, Bishop Cozzens said, “We’re expecting to see miracles – because when people come together in Jesus’s Name, He shows up so powerfully. “So we expect deep conversions, healings, and most of all, a real growth in missionary spirit.”

‘We want to be set on fire’

Highlighting the theme of the third and final year of the Eucharistic Revival, Bishop Cozzens said, “Our goal is to help the Church in the United States make this transformation that Pope Francis has called for, the missionary transformation, so that we can become the missionaries we’re called to be.”

Bishop Cozzens added, “We feel really honoured to be gathered at a time in our world when there’s a real need for Jesus and His life. We know that Jesus in the Eucharist gave His life for the world. And we want to be set on fire to be able to bring Him to those who are most in need.”