Testimonies from the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress

September 5, 2024

by The Northern Cross

Following are some testimonials shared by people who attended the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress in Bemidji May 17-18. The congress was jointly hosted by the Diocese of Duluth and the Diocese of Crookston.

I was filled with hope as I saw so many young families in attendance; just their mere presence gave me hope.

My time at adoration and prayer has greatly increased because I don’t fear to ask Jesus for great favors. I can intercede for others and beg for their needs because the love and mercy of Jesus Christ was so apparent at the Eucharistic Congress. It was a peak experience as the love of Jesus infused every event but especially Eucharist Adoration and the powerful Masses.

I realized an even deeper, spiritual connection to our Lord after attending the Congress. I marveled at all of the wonderful people I visited with, how both alike and different our faiths are. The Mass at the Sanford Center was so beautiful, and the Mass at Itasca really rounded off a fabulous weekend. Everything had meaning and was very well done.

Having the honor to witness so many faithful people gather together in one place really touched my heart both during the Congress and now after it. From being able to hear the sisters pray in Adoration, to all the inspirational speakers, to witnessing those yearning to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and of course Sunday’s Mass and procession … all these and more were so inspirational to me. But now, I am hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me more often and I am open to listening in more fruitful ways. I hope and pray I, and all who participated, can always be open to the Holy Spirit and readily answer, “Yes Lord, your servant is listening.“

Thank you for this beautiful weekend, which has blessed me abundantly!

To publicly witness our faith in such an open and profound manner as we did in the procession to the headwaters normalizes our faith and our religion to the secular world. Such beautiful witness is needed in the post-Christendom world in which we live. What a grace it was and continues to be to have been a part of that.

As I reflected on my time at the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress, the word that kept coming to me was “relationship.” What I was seeking, as well as I would guess others were seeking, was a deeper relationship with Jesus, and this pilgrimage afforded me that opportunity in a unique way. I was able to be away from the normal home and work routines that can sometimes make me forget “why” I do what I do every day and for whom it is really to be for. When I arrived at the event center on that Friday to get my tickets, I was able to look inside the arena and had a moment of awe at the greatness of this event which would soon be starting. I had such great anticipation at being with others who were as excited as me to take part in this monumental weekend. There was no shortage of joy in catching up with people from not only St Ben’s/St. John’s but other parishes from all over our diocese including some outside our diocese. There were people I knew well and others I was able to get to know even better by sharing our love for Jesus. These relationships with others added to the beauty of the weekend. I observed young families, single people, married people, all ages, different cultures, different infirmities and socio-economic status all coming together in prayer, song, talks, Mass and adoration to give glory to God for the gift of his Son Jesus in the Eucharist. Being with approximately 3,000 people helped me to appreciate the greater church as the body of Christ and as members, I and others, are united to each other (relationship). I know that just as I was seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus, he is seeking me as well and wants to give me all that he has to offer which is himself through the sacraments. One of the highlights for me at the event center was when the Knights of Columbus started processing into the arena followed by the priests, deacons, bishops, and the monstrance holding Jesus. I recognized what a gift the Lord gave us in the ministry of the Holy Orders and seeing this happen then and at other times always moves me to tears. For without priests, there would be no Eucharist.

I look forward to continuing my relationships with others who attended, those I know well, new encounters, and to understand the deeper reality of Jesus always present in the Eucharist and taking Jesus with me when I go out into my life by bringing Jesus to others.

Something profoundly important did strike me. It started with the subject of Adoration. As important as regularly spending time in Adoration in the presence of Jesus or, for example, the homebound receiving Holy Communion, there is something infinitely larger to consider. And that is full participation in the Eucharistic Prayer. My awareness of this comes partly from listening to the Catechism in a Year, but the presentation of Bishop Cozzens further reinforced the idea of each of us, during the Sacrifice of the Eucharist, laying our concerns and thoughts, our sacrifice at the altar, as imperfect as it is, joining our sacrifice with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, the one true act of worship in the history of the world. In doing so, this is pleasing to God. This salvific event is made present during every Mass. And, our reward for our full participation in the Sacrifice of the Mass is receipt of Holy Communion. I believe the secret to full effectiveness of the three-year Eucharistic Renewal (I call it Eucharistic Awareness) is the Holy Spirit working through Adoration and the stunning words found in our Catechism.

I renewed a lot of relationships. I met people from all over the state of Minnesota who came to the congress. I came away from the congress with a deeper appreciation for the sacramental presence of Christ at the Mass. I have a renewed interest in Eucharistic holy hours. I hear new guidelines for holy hours are being published and I’m excited to see what those will be like.