#BreakingNews Cardinal Tagle at the Eucharistic Congress Closing Mass with Over 50,000 Sends Pope Francis' Blessing and the Next Congress Date is Released
Bishop Andrew Cozzens announced the date of the next National Eucharistic Congress was released and is expected in 2033; the Year of Redemption marking 2,000 years since Jesus’ crucifixion. Another Eucharistic pilgrimage from Indianapolis to Los Angeles will take place in 2025. “We decided that we want to keep this tradition of a national Eucharistic pilgrimage going, and we’re going to do one next year,” Bishop Cozzens said. “The goal is basically to continue the renewal that’s begun through these Eucharistic pilgrimages.”
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was heard playing classical hymns “Panis Angelicus” and “Ave Verum Corpus” during Communion which was brought to tens of thousands of faithful in the stadium.
Speaking on the theme of the National Eucharistic Congress, from the Gospel of John “Remain in Me”, Pope Francis’ special envoy to the event highlighted Jesus' mission as a gift from the Father.
"Jesus is sent to be given by the Father to others," Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said during his homily, and he explained that the Eucharist encapsulates this gift, as Jesus offers His body and blood for the life of the world.
"Do we still look at ourselves, persons, objects, work, society, events, and creation within the horizon of gift?" he asked, warning that without this perspective there is danger of self-absorption and a lack of missionary zeal.
Cardinal Tagle addressed the difficult reality of disciples who abandoned Jesus, as narrated in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, and he invited self-discernmention whether the Church's actions sometimes contribute to this departure.
"Is it possible that we disciples contribute to the departure of others from Jesus?" he asked, calling for a deeper engagement with the Eucharist and its transformative power.
He also spoke of the need to welcome those who feel marginalized, such as the poor, migrants, and the elderly, ensuring they feel part of the Church community.
Cardinal Tagle said that those who choose to stay with Jesus must also be willing to be sent by Him.
It is the story of a woman whose extraordinary devotion resulted in her being present at the Church on all occasions and at all times. But when he thanked her for her dedication and asked her to thank her family for allowing her to serve, she said her constant presence derived from the fact that she wanted to avoid her family.
"When the priest or deacon says, 'The Mass is ended. Go in the peace of Christ,' please go! What you have heard, touched, and tasted, you must share with others," he exclaimed.
Speaking on the theme of the National Eucharistic Congress, from the Gospel of John “Remain in Me”, Pope Francis’ special envoy to the event highlighted Jesus' mission as a gift from the Father.
"Jesus is sent to be given by the Father to others," Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said during his homily, and he explained that the Eucharist encapsulates this gift, as Jesus offers His body and blood for the life of the world.
"Do we still look at ourselves, persons, objects, work, society, events, and creation within the horizon of gift?" he asked, warning that without this perspective there is danger of self-absorption and a lack of missionary zeal.
Cardinal Tagle addressed the difficult reality of disciples who abandoned Jesus, as narrated in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, and he invited self-discernmention whether the Church's actions sometimes contribute to this departure.
"Is it possible that we disciples contribute to the departure of others from Jesus?" he asked, calling for a deeper engagement with the Eucharist and its transformative power.
He also spoke of the need to welcome those who feel marginalized, such as the poor, migrants, and the elderly, ensuring they feel part of the Church community.
Cardinal Tagle said that those who choose to stay with Jesus must also be willing to be sent by Him.
"We should not keep Jesus to ourselves. That is not discipleship. That is selfishness," he stated, and he called on the faithful to share the love and compassion they have received from Jesus with the weary, the lost, and the divided.
Cardinal Tagle finally conveyed the blessings and prayers of Pope Francis, whom he said wrote him a letter expressing the hope “that the participants of the Congress, fully aware of the universal gifts they receive from heavenly food, may impart them to others.”
The papal envoy concluded by telling a story from his time as a parish priest and that, he said, illustrates the need to live out the Eucharist in daily life.It is the story of a woman whose extraordinary devotion resulted in her being present at the Church on all occasions and at all times. But when he thanked her for her dedication and asked her to thank her family for allowing her to serve, she said her constant presence derived from the fact that she wanted to avoid her family.
"When the priest or deacon says, 'The Mass is ended. Go in the peace of Christ,' please go! What you have heard, touched, and tasted, you must share with others," he exclaimed.
Source: Vatican News and OSV
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