More than 100 Catholics from the Archdiocese of Seattle attended the National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21 in Indianapolis. The event, which drew about 50,000 attendees, featured inspirational speakers, nightly adoration sessions, Masses, live music, service opportunities, 70 priests hearing confessions and more. Another congress is being planned for 2033.

We asked some participants from the archdiocese: What was the most impactful moment or experience for you at the National Eucharistic Congress? 

Scroll down for their answers and to see photos of local Catholics at the congress.

Many members of the Archdiocese of Seattle delegation at the National Eucharistic Congress gather for a photo. (Courtesy Patty Lewis)

For me the most impactful moment was to be able to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist with 60,000 Catholics of different ages and cultural backgrounds from all over the United States. To see a small piece of the universal Church reminded me that though we are many, we are one body in Christ.  
Jessie Sanchez Guzman  
St. John the Evangelist, Vancouver  

Everything from the National Eucharistic Congress was an experience of heaven — walking together as a church to heaven.  

Could you imagine hearing 50,000-plus people saying the Our Father and a Hail Mary in front of the Blessed Sacrament all at the same time in a stadium? Yes, that gave me goosebumps of joy and to live this impacting moment for us Catholics in the USA. We haven’t lived this moment in the past 83 years!  

This has been the biggest Mass, Holy Hour, procession I have ever attended. 

You are a tabernacle when receiving holy Communion. Love and serve our Eucharistic Lord, and see you in the Eucharistic!
Veronica Y Mendez
St. Mary of the Valley, Monroe 

Todo, desde el Congreso Eucarístico Nacional, fue una experiencia del cielo; Caminando juntos como una iglesia al cielo. 

¿Te imaginas escuchar a más de 50 mil personas diciendo el Padre Nuestro y Ave María frente al sacramento de las bendiciones, todo al mismo tiempo en un estadio? Sí, eso me dio la piel de gallina de alegría y de vivir este momento impactante para nosotros los católicos en los EE. UU.  ¡No hemos vivido este momento en los últimos 83 años! Esta ha sido la misa, hora santa y procesión mas grande a la que he asistido. 

Eres un tabernáculo cuando recibes la santa comunión. Ama y sirve a nuestro señor eucarístico y nos vemos en la eucarística! 
Veronica Y Mendez
St. Mary of the Valley, Monroe

Members of the Archdiocese of Seattle delegation share a meal with auxiliary Bishop Frank Schuster in Indianapolis. (Courtesy Patty Lewis)

The most impactful moments during the NEC were to receive and witness the beautiful moments of God’s providence throughout the trip. During the day, I would encounter, to my surprise but ordained from all eternity, people from different walks of my life. No matter the years gone by, and no matter the time allowed for the encounter, often all the unspoken words are understood within a moment. If more time was allowed, I shared with them the “SparkNotes” of my life from when I last saw them up to now.   

These providential encounters also include encounters with our heavenly friends, saints who have accompanied us on our walk of faith through their relics. 

Alice McIntyre testified: “I would be walking in the expo hall and to my left would be the relic of the arm of St. Jude, to my right a bone of St. John Bosco or, right in front of me, the relic rosary of St. Luigi Versiglia.”  

Veneration of relics is a beautiful tradition of the Church. Catholics touch and pray with a saint’s body part (first-class relic), their article of clothing or personal item (second-class relic) and take home with them a rosary or card that was touched to the relic (third-class relic). It is a reminder that the saints are with us on our earthly pilgrimage through their intercession.   

We also recognized that the young adults group from the Archdiocese of Seattle, along with the seminarians in formation, Father Justin Ryan and Bishop Frank Schuster, were called to journey together on this trip. In communion with the rest of the Archdiocese of Seattle and the prayer intentions that were brought on this trip, it continued to bear testament to the unified body of Christ.  

This is what it means when we say the phrase as Catholics “See you in the Eucharist.” As we continue on our earthly journey, we continue to carry in our hearts all the souls that the Lord has placed in our life and no matter the time apart — we carry them in our prayers and bring them to the altar in adoration or during the holy sacrifice of the Mass.  

These days of the NEC, the old and the new friends made, including our new saint friends give before us in Heaven, now are all united through the Eucharist. One, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which we process and believe until one day in Heaven when we’re all together.  

Anne Sweeney
 St. Stephen the Martyr, Renton 

Alice McIntyre  
 St. Mary Magdalen, Everett  

The National Eucharistic Congress changed me in profound ways. I have always loved the Eucharist and my faith (I was an adult convert), but I was struck by being with 60,000 others who also love the Eucharist, people who are on fire for their faith. The silence during adoration at Lucas Oil Stadium was deeply moving. The Eucharistic procession was also incredible to see and participate in. But mostly, I just felt the Lord calling me in my heart…. calling me to renew my focus and commitment to him and not to let anything get in the way of that. I felt his presence in ways that I haven’t felt in a long time. I plan to spend time as much time as possible in front of the Blessed Sacrament and to not let this fire in my heart flicker out now that I am home. I just wish more people from across the archdiocese could have heard about it and attended.
Vivian K. Shannon 
Executive director, Fulcrum Foundation 

The most impactful moment for me was listening to the speakers and realizing truly how much depth and history our faith has. You could truly never stop learning and growing in the knowledge of our Catholic faith. However, even with all the theology and wisdom of learned authors and speakers, the basic message of Jesus sacrificial love for us, given through his true presence in the Eucharist, remains the core message and foundation of all our beliefs.
Olivia Lewis
Holy Rosary, Edmonds 

The 30-minute procession of priests at the beginning of Sunday Mass was very powerful, while the faithful sang praises to God on earth as it is in heaven!

My soul was completely full of joy to see thousands of priests and sisters all in one place, united as one with the Body of Christ, giving all glory to God, on earth as it is in heaven! Holy wow! Alleluia!
Sue Gallwas
St. John of the Woods, Tacoma

Bishop Cozzens (of the Diocese of Crookston, Minn.) really summed up the most impactful experience I had of the Congress being a foretaste of heaven. There’s something about praying together and sharing faith in our Eucharistic Lord that leads to deep communion with others, whether meeting them for the first time or reconnecting after years of not seeing one another.  The congress drove home how personal our relationship with God can be through the Eucharist while communal with the Church at the same time.
Father Justin Ryan 
Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Seattle 

One of the most beautiful and impactful for me was in the big procession when all the sisters and first Communion girls were walking ahead of Jesus, throwing rose petals all over the brick road for him to walk on. Seeing the joy on their faces and the childlike love really inspired me to be more like them, fully trusting in Jesus and Our Lady to lead me through whatever comes in my life. Seeing the Holy Spirit work in people there was utterly indescribable; it was like 50,000 tabernacles being sent out to the world!
Robert Currall
Archdiocese of Seattle seminarian
Sacred Heart, Lacey 

Seeing the river of priests and bishops processing in for the first morning Mass in Lucas Oil Stadium. It was then that I came to a deeper realization of the magnitude and profoundness of our gathering.  
Deacon Joseph Tapia-Beeman
St. Stephen the Martyr, Renton 

Seminarians from the Archdiocese of Seattle at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Courtesy David Do)

What was most impactful to me was to be a witness and a recipient of the Lord’s great love for his church, especially through the Eucharist. From my time there, I privileged to witness and be one out of about 60,000 examples of the Lord loving his Church through his presence in the Eucharist and his perpetual sacrifice in the Mass. The congress uniquely and diligently participated in the building of the kingdom of God by healing the deep wounds of those seeking the Lord’s healing, faithfully affirming and richly teaching the church’s belief surrounding the Eucharist, making missionary disciples to go to the ends of the earth and, most importantly, preaching the Gospel of the Lord’s great love for all humanity.
Aidan Aguero
Archdiocese of Seattle seminarian
St. Michael, Olympia

Attending the Eucharistic Congress with over 50,000 fellow Catholics was an unforgettable experience. As a seminarian, seeing so many people united in faith was deeply inspiring. Witnessing the event's scale and the strong sense of community highlighted the unity of our Church. From the Masses to the talks and exhibits, every part of the conference enriched my understanding of the Eucharist and deepened my love for Christ. Interacting with priests, religious sisters, theologians, other seminarians and laypeople from all walks of life broadened my perspective and strengthened my vocation. It gives me a lot of hope for our future, seeing so many people on fire for their faith and their love of the Eucharist. It was so awesome to see many of my favorite Catholic speakers and influencers, such as Bishop Barron, Father Mike Schmitz, Father Josh Johnson, Sister Miriam, Jonathan Roumie and many others. 

The most moving moment was the adoration each night, where thousands knelt in worship before the Blessed Sacrament in the stadium. It was a powerful reminder of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and the strength of communal prayer. Hearing everyone singing and worshipping our Lord together gave me a glimpse of what heaven would be like. Especially during the closing Mass, I witnessed the beauty of being able to worship God together with the angels and saints in heaven. Participating with close to 60,000 people in the Eucharistic procession through the streets of Indianapolis is a memory I'll never forget.

This conference was not just an event but a testament to the vibrancy of our faith. In Western Washington, it can sometimes feel challenging to be Catholic, but the insights and experiences from this Congress will inspire me as I continue my journey toward the priesthood.
David Do
Archdiocese of Seattle seminarian
St. Mary, Marysville

Young adults from the Archdiocese of Seattle pose with popular speaker and podcaster Sister Miriam James Heidland. Sister Miriam grew up in southwest Washington, graduating from Woodland High School. She also coached volleyball at Archbishop Murphy High School. (Courtesy Omar Camacho)

Read more about the National Eucharistic Congress: