Historic Eucharistic Congress in Springfield Oct. 28 to feature four impactful speakers, inspirational videos, and beautiful Mass at BOS Center
Get your seats starting July 1 through your parish
By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor
It has never happened in history of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois – a Eucharistic Congress. Fittingly, it is happening during the national Eucharistic Revival and the diocesan Year of the Eucharist going on now and just two days after the 100-year anniversary of the transfer of the see city of the diocese from Alton to Springfield (Oct. 26, 1923).
On Saturday, Oct. 28, you are invited to attend the Eucharistic Congress at the BOS Center in Springfield which will feature four popular Catholic speakers, Dr. Scott Hahn, Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM, Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, and Father Denis Robinson, OSB; inspirational videos; sacraments; and Mass with Catholics from across the diocese.
Dr. Scott Hahn
Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM
Father Chase Hilgenbrinck
Father Denis Robinson, OSB“The Eucharistic Congress will be about growing in your friendship with Jesus,” Bishop Thomas John Paprocki said. “We should make it a point every day to tell Jesus how much we love Him and how grateful we are for His many gifts. Our lives, family, friends, experiences, food, clothing, shelter, and good health are just some of the things we should thank Him for every day. What should also be on your list is what we are celebrating at the Eucharistic Congress, the gift Jesus instituted for us during the Last Supper, the holy Eucharist. We believe as Catholics that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our savior, Jesus Christ. He is food for us so we can grow closer in our friendship with Him. I am confident your experience at the Eucharistic Congress will energize, inspire, and feed your faith, so that your friendship with Jesus grows in a radical way.”
To attend, you must contact your parish office as each parish in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will be designated a specific number of available seats. You can inquire with your parish starting July 1. If your parish has all their available seats reserved when you inquire, the public release of any more seats will be Sept. 1, if they become available.
Food will be available for purchase at concession stands, and you will be allowed to exit and return to the BOS Center throughout the day. For families, a family room will be open in the basement of the BOS Center to allow children to play (the parent/guardian must stay with their child(ren) in that room at all times as the room will not be supervised by staff). Confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be available throughout the day. Catholic vendors will have booths and the diocesan Office of Archives and Record Management will have a display of history and photographs as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the transfer of the diocesan see from Alton to Springfield.
There is no assigned seating at the Eucharistic Congress as it’s on a first come, first serve basis. So, if you want seats close to the speakers and altar, it’s advised to arrive when the doors open at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 28 to claim your seats. Please be courteous, however, when choosing your seats, which also includes not leaving one or two empty seats between you and your neighbor. We’re expecting a full arena, so please sit next to someone to leave room for others when they arrive.
There will be no Masses at any parish in the diocese Oct. 28. For more information about the Eucharistic Congress including frequently asked questions, go to: dio.org/revival-bos.
SIDE BARS:
The schedule of the Eucharistic Congress on Oct. 28
- 10:30 a.m.: Doors open, family room open, vendor row open
- 11 a.m.: Eucharistic adoration and confession available in basement (both end at 3:30 p.m.), concession stands open
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.: Screening of documentary, God is Alive | Stories of incredible faith and miraculous events in Central Illinois
- 12:50 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.: Dr. Scott Hahn presentation
- 1:50 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Screening of The Chair, video that highlights the history of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Bishop Paprocki's journey to Springfield
- 2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.: Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM, presentation
- 2:50 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.: Father Chase Hilgenbrinck presentation
- 3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Father Denis Robinson, OSB, presentation
- 4 p.m.: Mass
Schedule subject to change
Financially support/sponsor Eucharistic Congress
Are you interested in financially supporting this historic Eucharistic Congress? Please consider donating or becoming a sponsor. If you would like to make a financial gift to support the Eucharistic Congress, visit dio.org/give. If you are interested in event sponsorship, contact Rachel Langdon at rlangdon.org/(217) 321-1113. Thank you!
Volunteer at Eucharistic Congress
Volunteers will receive a seat at the event, lunch, T-shirt, and graces for the day! Sign up at dio.org/revival-bos. Contact Teresa Gray at for questions.