From the desk of Bishop Barron -

Friends, I warmly welcome you to register and participate in our Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, This is My Body, this June 10, 2023, in Mankato, Minnesota. You may know that we are at the beginning of the Eucharistic Revival, an opportunity to grow deeper in our love for the Lord and share his life through a renewal in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is not a what, but a Who: the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus. These months are a time of reawakening to the greatness of God and his merciful grace to us. But why a congress? One reason is historical: for decades, our nation has hosted Eucharistic Congresses for renewal and revival, and many people who have attended them mark them as events of remarkable and singular spiritual graces. Many priests and religious point to attending a Eucharistic Congress as part of their vocational awareness. Others attending found their faith in a fresh way and carried the Christian mission to their families and workplaces. After many years of challenge, most recently in the pandemic, we want to humble ourselves to receive these graces. The second reason? A Eucharistic Congress is not just another interesting conference or spiritual gathering; rather, the joyful worship, Eucharistic Adoration, and educational and service activities are meant to conduce, finally, to mission. As the Body of Christ, we are called to share the Good News, and this congress can help propel us in the work of evangelization by grounding us more firmly in the Eucharist. We want people to come for their own spiritual renewal, witness through our combined presence in Mankato, and then return home to share the story of what the Lord has done in this congress in their parishes—and the more people who do this, the broader the revival will be. We will have English and Spanish tracks, and translation in Vietnamese and ASL. There will be incredible speakers and music and an opportunity to serve the Lord’s poor and vulnerable. There will be a Eucharistic Adoration hall, confessions available, and a Eucharistic procession through downtown Mankato. We will also celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ together through the Holy Mass. I want you at this Congress, and I invite you to come and see! Learn more and register at https://eucharist.dowr.org. Peace, +Bishop Robert Barron