Trip to Eucharistic Congress was a life-changing encounter

Originally posted on www.anchornews.com
By Joan Warren

I am not the same woman who boarded a bus on the morning of July 17 and headed to Indianapolis, Indiana for the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC). The woman who embarked was what I considered to be a ‘‘good Catholic” with strong morals and an understanding that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us.

After five days attending the event that drew more than 60,000 fellow Catholics, I am now changed.

I truly believe that the Eucharist is the heart and soul of my faith and that faith grows stronger each time I received communion. And, boy did I receive communion. Everyday. I couldn’t get enough. Like a healthy diet, it is the nourishment I need to be whole.

In a story I wrote for the July issue of the Anchor, I included the following:

A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place, which can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to daily life different.

I am different. From the moment I settled in on the bus, my life changed. Every encounter I had with those traveling or those I met at the Congress was profound. Jesus was present.

The first person I engaged with was an older woman named Liz from Rhode Island. We shared our personal information: where we are from, family, careers, where we worship. Traveling alone, she was eager to make friends. Liz chatted with other passengers and when we made our first stop, she pulled me aside and said she had a confession to make: She recently lost her husband and came on the trip to revive her faith.

She didn’t have to tell me that, but she felt comfortable to share that very personal information with a stranger. Jesus was there.

Another bus mate, Geoff, also from Rhode Island, felt at ease talking about his life story. Early into the 18-hour trip, I shared that I was a woman in longterm recovery from alcohol abuse and that changed our relationship from being pilgrims on a trip to one of kindred spirits.

As a certified recovery coach, I believe God put us together as Geoff was contemplating to stop drinking alcohol. By the end of the trip, Geoff considered himself to be a man in recovery. Jesus was there to guide me and Jesus was there for Geoff to pray on his decision.

I believe Jesus that the presence of Jesus is in each of us. He takes what is broken and makes it far more beautiful than we could have hoped for.

I was paired up to bunk with a woman around my age, a woman I had only corresponded with through email.

Laureen is a very faithful single woman who lives with her mother. She is one of the smartest people I have ever met but suffers from debilitating neurosis.  I found that rooming with her was a gift from God. As someone with a history of lack of patience, I felt a sense of peace and a longing to help her feel comfortable.  I didn’t sweat the small stuff and the Lord surrounded me with patience, love and compassion. We were completely compatible. Jesus was present.

Walking around downtown Indianapolis, the air was static with love and joy. People of all ages, abilities, vocations, families with young children and religious had smiles on their faces!

Inside Lucas Oil Stadium or at the Convention Center where most of the activities took place, there was a sense that Jesus was among us.

Since returning, I feel an overwhelming sense of contentment. The Lord is in my heart, mind, body and soul.

I know I will continue to have relationships with my fellow pilgrims, especially Laureen and Geoff.

We have a special connection as followers of Jesus and the Holy Eucharist encounter we shared.

With this new, positive and loving outlook for life in Christ, I feel reborn. I have an overwhelming feeling of peace.

No longer will I burden myself with regret, self-pity, yearning for what I don’t have and resentment.

Through the five days of prayer and more than a few cleansing crying sessions, I have let it all go.

Although I learned a great deal about the Catholic faith on the trip, I have much to learn. In October, I am planning on attending a Cursillo (a short course in Christian living with a purpose of to present a method of living as a Christian in the world. It also provides a method for continual, personal spiritual growth).

I will also attend the Women’s Advent Retreat on Saturday, December 7 at Corpus Christi Parish in Sandwich.

If the NEC was supposed to reawaken Catholic followers, it was a true success. For those who did not attend, please visit eucharisticrevival.org. to watch keynote speakers, view photos, videos and learn more.

The Diocese is holding a one-day Eucharistic Revival on September 7 at the former Bishop Connolly School. This will be similar to the NEC, just on a smaller scale. (See story on page 16.)

Thanks be to God!