More than 50,000 people attended the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 17-21, including Marian priests, brothers, seminarians, and many Marian Helpers. The last time a Eucharistic Congress was held in the United States was in 1976, when the 41st International Eucharistic Congress came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Aug. 1-8. “Hundreds of thousands of people will take advantage of this rare chance to reap the harvest of spiritual wealth which will extend from the Congress outward to all who attend,” predicted Marian Helpers Bulletin. “The directors of the Congress expect over a million religious and lay people to make this holy pilgrimage to Philadelphia.” In fact, more than 1.5 million came, including two future saints — Cardinal Karol Wojtyła and Mother Teresa — and two on the road to sainthood, Archbishop Fulton Sheen and Dorothy Day. In the same year as the U.S. Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford delivered the closing address. “On this occasion we celebrate the Church’s contribution to building a more peaceful world," he said. "We salute you for giving depth and direction to the world community in every age. For millions of men and women, the Church has been the hospital for the soul, the schoolroom for the mind, and the safe depository for moral ideals. It has given unity and purpose to the affairs of man. It has been a vital institution for protecting and proclaiming the ultimate values of life itself.” From the VAULTS 36 Marian Helper • Fall 2024 • Marian.org
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