The second day at the NEC in Indianapolis was packed.
I spent several hours in the hall where there seems to be an endless number of vendors. The expected big Catholics names are there: Knights of Columbus, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Benedictine College, Our Sunday Visitor etc. There are also quite a number of artists selling amazing Catholic art – including Catholic legos. Countless ministries from throughout the country are represented, along with religious communities and many Catholic media companies.
I lost count of how many many I ran into, and met many more.
The evening presentation at the Lucas Oil Stadium was exceptional. I ran into a young man I know from when he lived in Augusta who is working for the production company of the event. He told me the company hired by the Congress is the top one for religious events – and it shows. The highlight was Father Michael Schmitz of now great fame. I have come be a little jaded when it comes to personalities that EVERYONE just loves, but I have to say, Father Mike delivered a spectacular message on “the greatest love story ever told.” He recounted what Jesus may have shared with the disciples on the road to Emmaus as they walked disheartened, and then called us to move away from indifference to love. He challenged us in the way the Ephesians were challenged in the Book of Revelation: perhaps we have lost our first love. “Knowledge can make us great, but only love will make us saints,” he repeated a few times toward the end of his talk. And continued,” and the road to love is repentance.”
Though Father Mike was the most awaited speaker, Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart from Iraq, founders of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth based in Boston, had the most profound presentation. She shared stories from her ministry, in particular how she has seen Jesus truly present in the Eucharist perform miracles in people’s lives. She spoke the longest, and her presentation was a tearjerker. She shared meaningful pictures of those in the stories she shared.
There is a significant number of young people present at the congress among the over 50,000 participants.
As the third day of the Congress begins, it promises to be an even more action-packed and spirit-filled day!
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