CHARLOTTE — The faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte are invited to the 18th annual Eucharistic Congress – a free, two-day event celebrating our Catholic faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist Aug. 5-6 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
In what has become an annual gathering of the Church in western North Carolina, the Eucharistic Congress is expected to attract thousands of people from around the state and the Southeast.
This year’s Eucharistic Congress theme is “Faith More Precious Than Gold,” which is taken from 1 Peter 1:7 to coincide with the Diocese of Charlotte’s 50th anniversary celebration.
The congress will include: Mass; a Eucharistic procession through uptown Charlotte; the sacrament of confession; speakers and musical programs; vendors offering Catholic merchandise and information; and more.
It will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a time of quiet reflection and chant, then a welcome at 6:45 p.m. from Bishop Peter Jugis in Hall A of the Convention Center. At 7 p.m. Byzantine rite vespers will be prayed.
This will be followed by a talk at 8 p.m. by Vinny Flynn, who is known to many as “the man who sings the Divine Mercy Chaplet on EWTN.”
After Flynn's talk, there will be nocturnal Adoration at nearby St. Peter Church from 10:30 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday. St. Peter Church is located at 507 S. Tryon St. in uptown Charlotte.
Saturday’s events kick off at 9 a.m. with a Eucharistic procession that follows a route from St. Peter Church to the Charlotte Convention Center. Please note: This year, First Communicants are invited to join the entrance procession for the closing Mass of the Eucharistic Congress instead of the Saturday morning street procession.
A Holy Hour – featuring a homily by Bishop Peter Jugis, fourth Bishop of Charlotte and founder of the Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress – will immediately follow the procession at 10:15 a.m. Saturday inside the Charlotte Convention Center.
Programs in English, Spanish and Vietnamese will be offered throughout the day. Bishop Jugis will celebrate Mass at the conclusion of the congress Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
— Catholic News Herald
More information online
At www.goeucharist.com: See the full schedule of events, read more about the featured speakers and activities, get parking information and more.
See the full Eucharistic Congress guide.
Eucharistic Procession
9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6
The Eucharistic Procession, in which Bishop Peter Jugis carries a monstrance containing a consecrated host – the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ – is a highlight of the two-day Eucharistic Congress.
Join the Eucharistic Procession through uptown Charlotte to the Charlotte Convention Center, where the Eucharistic Congress will be held. It will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at St. Peter Church at 507 S. Tryon St.
Line up along the procession route by 8:30 a.m. as noted at right. Parishioners, please gather along Wells Fargo Plaza at the corner of South Tryon and Third streets (purple area on map) or anywhere along the purple procession route to join in behind your parish’s banner as it passes by.
Please note: This year, First Communicants are invited to join the entrance procession for the closing Mass of the Eucharistic Congress instead of the Saturday morning street procession.
The Eucharistic Procession will culminate inside Hall A of the convention center, where a Holy Hour will be celebrated starting at 10:15 a.m. Saturday.
Speakers
Vinny Flynn
8 p.m. Friday: "Faith in the Promise of Eucharist"
Vinny Flynn is known as “the man who sings the Divine Mercy Chaplet on EWTN.” A father of seven, Flynn has been involved in a ministry of mercy for over 40 years, using his gifts of speaking, writing, counseling and music to help people understand the teachings of the Church and open their hearts to the healing touch of God’s love. His personal, straight-forward style makes theological concepts and the teachings of the Church come alive with new meaning.
As a teacher and counselor, Flynn experienced first-hand how much healing is needed in the world. He began using his gifts in full-time religious ministry. His powerful teachings on Divine Mercy, Mary, the sacraments, and the Father’s love have made him a popular speaker.
A former executive editor at the Marian Helpers Center and former General Manager of Divine Mercy International, Flynn has been actively involved in spreading the message of Divine Mercy. Co-author of Now is the Time for Mercy and the famous little booklet, The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion, Flynn also edited the official English edition of the Diary of St. Faustina.
He has written several books – most notably, a series of “7 Secrets” books starting with 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. It has remained on the Top 10 Best Sellers list for Ignatius Press since it was published in 2007. Now in its 23rd printing, it has sold over 100,000 copies.
Dr. Peter Kreeft
12:30 p.m. Saturday: ‘Why We Believe: A Eucharistic Faith’
Dr. Peter Kreeft is a professor of philosophy at Boston College. A convert to the Catholic Church from Calvinism, he has been a major literary force in the world of English-language Catholic apologetics for several decades and the author of more than 100 books. He has influenced countless Christians and non-Christians globally with his luminous, lucid and compelling reasons to believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, J.C.D.
10:15 a.m. Saturday: Homilist, ‘Whoever eats this bread will live forever – John 6:51-58’
The Most Rev. Peter Joseph Jugis is a native of Charlotte, N.C., and is the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1983 by Pope (now St.) John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Before being ordained bishop, he served as the diocese’s Judicial Vicar and pastored parishes across the diocese, including Belmont, Charlotte, Denver, Huntersville, Monroe, Reidsville, Salisbury and Winston-Salem. Pope (now St.) John Paul II appointed him
Bishop of Charlotte in 2003. He established the Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress in 2005.
Very Rev. Patrick J. Winslow, J.C.L.
1:30 p.m. Saturday: ‘The Interior Life’
Since coming to the Diocese of Charlotte in 2002 from the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., Msgr. Patrick Winslow has served with distinction in several important diocesan roles, including as an ex-officio member of the Lay Review Board, the Promoter of Justice in the diocese, and as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte.
In 2019, Bishop Jugis appointed him vicar general and chancellor.
Dr. Bill and Mary Thierfelder with Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B.
2:30 p.m. Saturday: ‘Hearts United: First Friday First Saturday Devotion USA’
Know before you go:
Parking decks are located at The Green (adjacent to St. Peter Church) and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Flat parking is available at 510 S. Caldwell St. and 510 S. College St. You can also park along the Lynx Blue Line and get off at the 3rd St./Convention Center stop.
The Charlotte Convention Center prohibits outside food from being brought inside. The prohibition includes coolers and other containers of food. Food service options are available in the building, and many restaurants are located around the Convention Center.
Your DSA contributions at work
The Eucharistic Congress is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.