PHOTO: (From left) Sister Nancy Rose Gucwa, OSB; Sister Maria Victoria Cutaia, OSB; Sister Ruth Elaine Starman, OSB; and Novice Amberina attended the National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis.
Focusing on the Lord through prayer, repentance and deep spiritual connection was a joy for the members of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who attended the National Eucharistic Congress held in July in Indianapolis.
The event included revivals, great speakers, a Eucharistic procession through city streets and the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
“They processed in with the Blessed Sacrament into the arena on the opening night,” Sister Ruth Elaine Starman, OSB said. “The lights were turned down, but a spotlight followed the procession as it made its way into the middle of the field where a stage had been set up with an altar. It amazed me that 60,000 people could be so quiet and so focused on what was happening. There was an energy in that arena that touched me at that moment. We had adoration for almost one hour with music, prayers and a fair amount of silence. I don't think anyone left that arena untouched by what had happened.”
Sister Maria Victoria Cutaia, OSB echoed those thoughts.
“Being there in His presence, to get thousands of people to be quiet in a football stadium? That spoke a lot to what was happening in people’s hearts,” she said.
Novice Amberina added, “With the space so dark with the lights only on the altar, it reminded me that the Lord has a way of lighting up the darkest parts of life. Since I've returned back home, I often think back to those times and realize that time and space is really not a factor in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I get to experience that love every time I'm before the Blessed Sacrament with even more people than 60,000 (people) because I'm with the Church on Earth and in Heaven.”
Sister Nancy Rose Gucwa, OSB was especially fond of the international aspects the event offered.
“One time we celebrated mass according to the Eastern rite of the Catholic Church, the Syro-Malabar liturgy, known as the Qurb?n?, or Offering, which is used in the Kerala section of India,” she said. “The mass was very beautiful and reverent. When all 60,000 people sang the dirge-like chants refrains in Syriac, it was incredibly moving, and you could feel yourself just drawn up to God by the musicality.”
Speakers such as celebrated podcaster Chris Stefanik left a lasting impression.
“He encouraged everyone to not be afraid to speak about our faith,” Sister Ruth Elaine said. “He said, ‘You don't have to be an expert in theology, you just have to have love.’ In encouraging everyone present to go out and evangelize, he closed with ‘Two-thirds of God's name is ‘Go.’”
Powerful moments of adoration, the diverse liturgical expressions and the inspiring messages from speakers reinforced attendees’ belief in the transformative power of God's presence, and the inspiring messages from speakers reinforced their belief in the transformative power of God's presence.
“My heart and spirit were renewed in profound ways,” Sister Nancy Rose said. |
