Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, explains why the 11th National Eucharistic Congress will return to Indianapolis in July 2029. He previews a theme centered on Mary and the Eucharist ahead of the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and shares how the annual National Eucharistic Pilgrimage keeps the Eucharistic revival moving. Bishop Cozzens also describes the fruits of the 2024 Congress, from renewed prayer and Mass attendance to new vocations to the priesthood.
Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota, who chaired the historic 10th National Eucharistic Congress in 2024, the first in more than 80 years, joins Deacon Mark Campbell following the announcement that the 11th National Eucharistic Congress will return to Indianapolis in July 2029.
Bishop Cozzens shares why the decision was a difficult one: organizers seriously considered other cities, but Indianapolis, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and the relationships built in 2024 made it the most prudent place to build on a strong foundation, especially for an organization that, as he puts it, lost the playbook between 1941 and 2024. He describes the "Road to 2029," including the annual National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. This year's route ran from Florida to Boston and ended in Philadelphia for America's 250th anniversary, with close to 100,000 people taking part along the way. Next year's route will be announced in January.
He also previews the 2029 focus: Mary's role in helping us receive and live the truth of the Eucharist, tied to the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2031. Drawing on Pope Saint John Paul II's image of Mary as the first tabernacle and first missionary, Bishop Cozzens explains why the Blessed Mother is the greatest evangelist in history.
Bishop Cozzens closes with the fruits of 2024: attendees more drawn to prayer, weekday Mass, adoration, and service; growing numbers of people entering the Church and men entering seminary; and a high school student who heard the Lord call him to the priesthood during opening-night adoration and is now a seminarian. Block off July 2029 and watch for dates, registration, and the next pilgrimage route at EucharisticCongress.org.
Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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