CV NEWS FEED // Over 100 Catholics affiliated with the U.S. military are currently attending the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, growing in their faith and spreading the word about military Catholics and chaplains.
According to an emailed news release from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio and Auxiliary bishops Neal J. Buckton and Joseph L. Coffey are leading the cohort of military Catholics at the Congress.
The Congress is “bringing Catholics together from across the country to praise and ponder the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” the Archdiocese wrote.
Archbishop Broglio, who also serves as the USCCB president, reminded the faithful that the Congress is not just a historic event.
“This is a moment of history, but also a time of great grace, not only for the participants, but also for the whole Nation,” he stated in the news release. “We gather in prayer, celebration, and moments of learning so that we might return renewed for the task of making Jesus Christ known and loved.”
Dr. Mark Moitoza, vice-chancellor for evangelization at the Archdiocese, tied the Congress to military members currently serving their country in other places.
“The National Eucharistic Congress reminds all across our land, and those serving far from home, that the Lord is always with us – even when we have doubts,” he stated in the news release, adding:
The gift of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist brings joy and invites a response. We are called to share the enthusiasm of our relationship with the Lord. May our witness, expressed in both word and service, help others to be open to respond to Jesus Christ and to be nourished in the community of faith too.
The Archdiocese is additionally manning a booth in the Congress’ exhibit hall. It is encouraging the thousands of Congress attendees to pray for an increase in vocations to military chaplaincy. CatholicVote previously reported that active-duty chaplains are scarce. The current ratio is about one priest per 1,750 Catholic military members.
