Tickets available for National Eucharistic Congress

National Eucharistic Congress
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When: July 17-21, 2024
Tickets: $300 for the five-day congress. Contact your parish to purchase tickets. Hotel rooms are also available.
Questions: Contact Pat Arensberg at [email protected]

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
MOBILE – Archdiocese of Mobile Director of Evangelization and Family Life Pat Arensberg said next year’s National Eucharistic Congress “has the potential to be a great moment of conversion.”
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium from July 17-21, 2024, is expected to draw about 80,000 Catholics from dioceses throughout the country. The Archdiocese of Mobile will be represented and is also providing an opportunity for anyone interested to attend.
The archdiocese has obtained 200 tickets to the congress and those interested in purchasing tickets are asked to speak to their respective pastor, who will then submit names to the archdiocese.
The archdiocese is also holding hotel rooms in downtown Indianapolis for those who purchase tickets, although those purchasing tickets through the archdiocese are under no obligation to purchase a hotel room.
According to Arensberg, it is first-come, first serve and further tickets may not be available.
The last Eucharistic Congress in the U.S. took place in 1976 in Philadelphia. Next year’s event is the culmination of a three-year initiative of U.S. bishops designed to increase Catholics' understanding of and devotion to Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.
 “I hope that whatever comes out of this, it revives a greater fervor of the Eucharist,” Arensberg said. “It’s kind of a cyclical thing. If people are becoming more fervent about the Eucharist, then they are going to be receiving this precious gift all the more frequently, which should impel them to become all the more active and go out and do even more. It has the potential to be a great moment of conversion.”
Among the factors for holding the first Eucharistic Congress in 48 years is some Catholics’ lack of understanding of the Eucharist. A 2019 Pew Research Center study showed a majority of Catholics don’t understand and believe in the Real Presence.
“The poll said 33 percent (believed). Let’s double it and say you have 66 percent. Even then, you have a problem if only 66 percent of your people - not people at large - buy what you’re selling,” Arensberg said.
“I think bishops see the ero
sion of the faith in general.”
But Arensberg said being at the congress will help many see that the Church is alive. He likened it to the past Mass for Life which was held in a Washington arena on the heels of the national March for Life.
“To see dozens of bishops, hundreds of priests, to be in a sports arena full of tens of thousands of believers, it’s really uplifting,” Arensberg said. “When you have a gathering like this, it’s an opportunity to really confirm your faith.
“I just think that’s going to be a powerful moment.”
Many congress details, such as keynote speakers, have not been announced yet. Each day will center on one theme. There will be daily Mass, festival programming and catechetical, breakout and general sessions.
Those in the archdiocese not able to attend the congress will still have a chance to participate.
Four Eucharistic pilgrimages will take place throughout the country and each will culminate at the National Eucharistic Congress. Those in the archdiocese not able to attend the congress will still have a chance to participate.
A pilgrimage beginning in Brownsville, Texas, is expected to pass somewhere through the Archdiocese of Mobile  before reaching Indianapolis. No details or specific locations have been announced yet.