National Eucharistic Congress Recap

We were there! The Institute for Homiletics was honored to participate in the 10th National
Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana this summer. We joined 60,000 Catholics to be
inspired, challenged and renewed in our faith.

A lot of people came to our booth. We saw priests and deacons with whom we have worked.
Dallas Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly (a graduate of the most recent Preaching for
Encounter Program 2022 Cohort), stopped by to say hello and share a few jokes. Bishop Cahill
of Victoria recorded a video to tell his coach what he still remembers from his personal
coaching. Some of our St. Joseph’s Preachers—the lay support group that accompanies and
encourages our clergy as they journey through the program—told us how much the lay listener
program has impacted them.

This congress was a pivotal moment for renewal in the Catholic Church. At the Institute, we
believe that the renewal of liturgical preaching is integral to the revival of the Eucharistic
celebration. We passed out almost 2,000 prayer cards, asking lay people to pray for our
preachers and for themselves as listeners. Even if you weren’t there and you didn’t get the
prayer card, please join us in this movement of prayer for Catholic preaching to flourish. Here is
that prayer:

Invocation of the Holy Spirit For this Homily and this Homilist

Holy Spirit,
You are here in this place,
closer to us than we are to ourselves.
You have gathered us together
at this Eucharistic celebration.
We hunger for Your nearness.
We also want that closeness
for all those whom we love.
Bless this homilist
that he may effectively use words
to help us to encounter You
through this homily.
Grace us with careful listening
as You move in our midst.
Come, Holy Spirit, and
set our hearts on fire!