The National Eucharistic Congress had a vibrant start in Indianapolis, USA. The five-day congress is taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center, with numerous believers participating. Pilgrims enthusiastically welcomed the first National Eucharistic Congress in America since World War II. More than fifty thousand pilgrims traveled from California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Texas, covering 6,500 miles on four pilgrimage routes.

It is said that this journey is the first of its kind in history, with such long paths walked for Jesus since the Apostles who walked with Him 2,000 years ago. Those who accompanied the Eucharistic Jesus on the four branches of the national Eucharistic pilgrimage gathered at the venue of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis as a powerful symbol of unity.

America witnessed blessed and rare moments as the Eucharistic Lord moved through streets, public roads, villages, and even rivers, blessing the nation. The Marian Route, Serra Route, Juan Diego Route, and Seton Route saw large groups of believers, including Malayali Catholics in America, participating along with cardinals, bishops, and priests.

The Eucharistic pilgrimage, with over 150,000 believers, spanned 6,500 miles across 64 dioceses in 25 states over 60 days, making a historic mark in the Church. On the first day, July 17, pilgrims gathered at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The day was filled with prayers and celebrations. Bishop Andrew Cozzens from Crookston, Minnesota, celebrated the Holy Mass at a place specially blessed by Pope Francis in 2023.

Organizers reported that over 50,000 people registered on Wednesday alone. They mentioned that the attendees included speakers of about 20 different languages, 1,000 priests, 200 bishops, and cardinals. Bishop Andrew Cozzens emphasized the importance of recognizing Jesus's living presence in the Eucharist and confronting His love.

Key speakers at the National Eucharistic Congress included Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Vatican representative to the US, Christopher Pierre, Bishop Andrew Cozzens leading the national Eucharistic devotion renewal, and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Espaillat of the Archdiocese of New York.

Other notable speakers included Fr. Mike Schmitz, host of "Bible in a Year" podcast, Fr. Agustino Torres, host of EWTN programs "Icons" and "Click on Corazon Puro," and Fr. John Burns, an author and professor. In 2019, a Pew Research Center study showed that only one-third of American Catholics believed in the active presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This led the American Bishops' Conference to plan the National Eucharistic Renewal program, which is a three-year initiative to promote faith and Eucharistic devotion. The National Eucharistic Congress is part of this effort. Pope Francis recently said that this congress would mark a significant moment in the history of the American Church.