
CV NEWS FEED // Eight graduate and undergraduate students from St. John’s University in Queens, New York attended the New York State Eucharistic Congress in October and have since been inspired to increase devotion to the Eucharist on their own campus.
On December 20 St. John’s University published an article featuring their students’ reflections on the encounter of Christ in the Eucharist alongside thousands of other Catholics.
The New York State Eucharistic Congress drew about 8,500 attendees during its 2023 gathering from October 20-22. The Eucharistic Congress was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, New York.
St. John’s Campus Minister and lead organizer of the students’ trip to the Congress Andrea Pinnavaia said,
The students have been inspired with so many ideas to build up a Eucharistic culture on campus: from more Holy Hours offered, to a Eucharistic Procession, to invitations to the sacrament of Reconciliation, to opportunities for catechesis on the Eucharist, which they see as crucial for their fellow students.
“They’re on fire for their faith, and know they are supported here to bring their ideas to reality. The Holy Spirit is absolutely working through them,” Pinnavia added.
Graduate student at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Peter Paolo said, “I wanted to attend the Congress to encounter the Lord in the Eucharist. I experienced a beautiful weekend, filled with much grace, and I took away a deeper ability to understand and appreciate the gift of the Eucharist.”
Third-year student at St. John’s University School of Law Michael Fields shared,
Saying “yes” to this Eucharistic Congress was grounded in learning the love the Eucharist gives us and how we can give that same love back. After learning about this kind of love, I think we can be transformed and begin sharing that love with others.
First-year student The Peter J. Tobin College of Business Andrew Butta, said that he has “always wanted to witness so many Catholics in one place processing and praising the Lord Jesus Christ. The congress was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, and I feel like I grew closer to God and have a much stronger connection with him.”
According to the Eucharistic Congress’ website, the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, where the Congress took place
is where St. Isaac Jogues, St. Rene Goupil and St. John Lalande were all martyred in the 1600s and where St. Kateri Tekakwitha was born. St. Isaac is one of the foremost witnesses in history to the love of the Mass and St. Kateri is one of the great figures of Eucharistic Adoration. The Shrine is, therefore, one of the most important places of Eucharistic faith in our country.
