From July 17th through the 21st, pilgrims from all over the United States filled the city of Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress.  It was a historic and grace-filled gathering that moved the hearts of many.  Truly a Eucharistic revival, 60,000 plus pilgrims spent time in prayer, worship, healing, conversion, and communal joy. 

At Our Lady, Patroness of America Center in Rome City, we were blessed to be in the wake of the Congress.  We increased our weekly hours to become a rest stop for pilgrims traveling through on their way to and from Indy.  It became a busy and exciting week for us as we presented the devotion to pilgrims from all over the U.S. We had pilgrims from Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, Maryland, California, and more.  The Marian route of the Eucharistic Procession, which began in Minnesota, passed through nearby parishes.  Young people, older adults, families, single people, priests, Brothers, and Sisters stopped by.  Many of them stayed to enjoy the entire presentation and tour.  Some days, we welcomed only ten pilgrims, others nearly 40!  

A few groups stopped by on their way home and shared their tremendous graces from the National Eucharistic Congress.  Many NEC participants extended their stay to visit family in the area.  During the week after, we welcomed pilgrims each day, and many of them brought their extended families to visit the Patroness of America Center.  

Al Langsenkamp, President of the center remarked, “Meeting these pilgrims gave me great hope for our Nation and world.  We saw people of all generations. We saw military, families, ordained, consecrated and so many more come through our doors.  The common theme was faith, family and the desire to do God’s will in all things!  These are the souls that will help Our Lady lead the world to Peace”. 

We were blessed to share in those graces here in Rome City, the birthplace of the devotion to Our Lady, the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of America.

America is blessed!