At the National Eucharistic Congress with The Merry Beggars

A Call to Revival

In July, The Merry Beggars team traveled to Indianapolis to participate in the National Eucharistic Congress. It was five days of joy, growth, and faith, as we joined the tens of thousands of pilgrims who made Indianapolis their home for the week. As a presenting sponsor of the National Eucharistic Congress, Relevant Radio was proud to present many events, and to welcome a large crowd of VIP pilgrims to the congress. Now, take a look at the TMB team’s involvement in the congress - from the front lines!

‍Day 0: Arrival

In the early afternoon on Tuesday, our team arrived on-site. Relevant Radio’s marketing team was already working tirelessly to set up the massive Relevant Radio booth in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Arriving, we found the section of the booth we would occupy for the rest of the week: a beautiful banner describing details about The Saints. Having checked out the space, and loaded in all of our supplies, we spent the evening preparing for the week ahead. 

Day 1: In the Exhibit Hall

On the first official day of the Congress, we saw hundreds of people stop by the Relevant Radio booth and learn more about The Saints. We connected with dedicated listeners from across the country whose lives had been touched by the stories of the Saints. Also on display were the Gabriel Awards that The Merry Beggars recently won for The Saints and for Elizabeth Ann Seton. A special giveaway also took place: The Saints cards! Each card had a Saint on the front, and details about their life, a map of their world, and a prayer on the back. These cards were a massive success, and we continued to give them out over the course of the Congress. After spending the day in the exhibit hall, we were blessed to witness the first revival session in Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Pilgrims arrived from all four corners of the United States. After some excellent talks, we returned to the hotel to prepare for the next day. 

Day 2: Revival Grows

On Thursday, we got the opportunity to meet even more fans. Many families had traveled to the NEC - some even told us that on their drive to Indianapolis, they had been listening to The Saints! The event was even more packed than it had been on Wednesday, with people from around the country - and the world - coming to say hello, to hear the Relevant Radio live broadcast, and to grow closer to Jesus in the Eucharist. 

Day 3: A Live Show!

Friday was a massive day both for Relevant Radio and for The Merry Beggars. Relevant Radio’s exclusive breakout session, featuring Patrick Madrid, Drew Mariani, Bishop David Ricken, Fr. Rocky, and the Tirpak family. It was the largest live event in Relevant Radio’s more than 20-year history. 6,000 tickets were sold, and still more people stood at the back of the hall in the Indianapolis Convention Center. The event was produced by Peter Atkinson, who made sure that everything took place as planned. After the breakout session, the entire team reconvened at Lucas Oil for another incredible revival session. 

Day 4: A Witness in the Streets

Saturday was the climax of the entire congress, featuring an absolutely massive Eucharistic procession. Before the procession, however, Relevant Radio also hosted an exclusive VIP luncheon, where Peter Atkinson was able to share more about The Saints. People were thrilled to listen to his story about The Merry Beggars and our mission of “healing our culture.” After the event, it was time for the procession, beginning near Lucas Oil Stadium and bringing the Eucharist through the heart of Indianapolis. When the monstrance was placed on the altar after the mile-long procession, it overlooked a crowd of over 60,000. Some were pilgrims from far away; some were local Catholics who had come to pray; some were curious people, who may have been having the first opportunity of their life to be in the presence of the Eucharist. 

Day 5: Go Out to All the World

On Sunday, the Congress concluded. It was a bittersweet ending; so many people, grown closer together in the spirit of prayer, now going home again with the revival in their hearts. After several speakers, the Congress wrapped up with a mass. It was the most crowded that the stadium been the entire week. Hundreds of priests and bishops were present to a packed stadium. After coming together for mass, the crowds of pilgrims dispersed back to their homes.

We were so blessed to be a part of the National Eucharistic Congress. Over the course of the 4 days the exhibit hall was open, we gave away nearly 8,000 The Saints cards featuring Joan of Arc, Patrick of Ireland, and Saint George. We hope that if you were present, we got a chance to speak with you! If not, we’ll see you at the next National Eucharistic Congress - in 2033!