Mission Statement:
The Eucharistic Congress' mission is to accomplish, through personal encounter, a real and more fervent devotion to Christ. The purpose is to inspire, empower, engage and transform you as a Catholic by centering your life around the fundamental teaching that Jesus Christ, willingly offered his life for you on the Cross and is truly alive and present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist.
Vision Statement:
The vision of the Congress is to reawaken our people to what is essentially beautiful, good, and true about our faith. As we center our lives around Christ in the Eucharist, we will leave our Church and ourselves in a better condition than we have found it.
The Eucharistic Congress is focused on the Springfield Diocese of Massachusetts to give Catholics in Western Massachusetts the opportunity to learn more about the Eucharist and deepen their love for the gift of Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. All Catholics of Western Massachusetts are invited—please come! If you are from another diocese or state, you are certainly welcome. Young or old, single or with a family—this is a fabulous day for the whole community to experience together. Whoever you are, we want you to come.
This logo design began with the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in mind. The Sacred Heart is among the most familiar and moving of Catholic devotional images making it quickly and easily recognizable. And it is a powerful image because of what it represents - Christ’s burning love for us.
In this logo design, the flames traditionally seen above the heart are transformed to incorporate a dove, representing the gift of the Holy Spirit. The blue and red rays eminating from the pierced heart represent the blood and water that gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us. They are meant to remind us of God’s Divine Mercy, a devotion promoted locally at The National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA.
The combination of elements from the Sacred Heart and image of Divine Mercy bring together the power of God’s love and mercy.
Since November 2021, The Year of the Eucharist has provided the opportunity to inspire and cultivate a deeper understanding and practice of the real presence of the Eucharist in our diocese. We have joined together in prayer, Adoration, and in Eucharistic procession. On Saturday, March 4, 2023, during Lent, we will have a Eucharistic Congress at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. This will be a capstone event to learn more about the Eucharist, to gather as a community, and to celebrate the great gift of our faith.
-Bishop William Byrne, Bishop of Springfield
A Novena prayer leading up to the Eucharistic Congress was constructed by the Catholic Life Committee. The novena prayer is a nine-day prayer to help usher in all the graces necessary for a fruitful Eucharistic Congress. Each day is associated with a saint who had a miraculous reception of Holy Communion and demonstrated a great love for the Eucharist. We pray for their intercession for the Congress. Your prayers help serve the day and beyond. God bless you and thank you in advance.
We thank you, almighty Father, for the example of the saints who have gone before us to teach us true devotion to the Eucharist. We ask you to turn your gaze towards the Diocese of Springfield as we host our Eucharistic Congress. We pray that many may be inspired to attend the Congress. May we gain true knowledge of all aspects of our faith, transforming every aspect of our lives. May our participation in the Eucharistic Congress foster true repentance to our Eucharistic Lord, generating a love that is both contagious and instrumental in drawing others back to Communion. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
From childhood on, she showed great love for the Eucharist. She wanted to receive Holy Communion when she was nine years old, but she was told by her priest that she could not receive until she was fourteen. On May 12, 1333, the Vigil of the Ascension, when she was only 11, she went to Mass and presented herself for Holy Communion. The priest ignored her, but a host went and levitated to her, and hovered over her for a few moments. She received Holy Communion and stayed in the chapel. A few hours later, her superiors were looking for her and they found her praying peacefully, but ice cold. She died of happiness after receiving Holy Communion. Bl. Imelda is the patroness of First Communicants. i
May we always receive the Eucharist as if it were our first, last, and only time.
Pray the Novena Prayer
i The Institute of St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr. The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
Bardstown, KY, Eternal Life, 2016 pg 355
During the years of 1269 to 1272, he was at the height of mature theological thought. St. Thomas was called to Paris to resolve a matter of importance with regard to the Eucharist. He did not want to speak poorly of the Eucharist and prayed humbly to our Lord, feeling as though he had a great weight and duty to speak correctly. His prayer was “Lord Jesus, truly and wonderfully present in this Sacrament, I seek to understand Your truth and teach it without error…keep me from teaching anything that could deviate from the Catholic faith.” When he had finished his discourse, he returned to the church, and it was there where he heard the voice of Jesus say: “You have written well of Me, Thomas.” ii
May we pray well, write well and speak well of Jesus, always.
Pray the Novena Prayer.
ii The Institute of St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr. The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
Bardstown, KY, Eternal Life, 2016 pg 334
He is known as the Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle and
was born in Seville, Spain. He prayed before the tabernacle and felt the sadness of Jesus being left alone. He stated: “My faith was looking at Jesus through the door of that tabernacle, so silent, so patient, so good gazing right back at me…His gaze was telling me much and asking me for more. It was a gaze in which all the sadness of ‘no room in the inn’, the sadness of those words, ‘Do you also want to leave me?” In 1902, he dedicated himself to Eucharistic works in praise of Jesus Christ.
May we emulate his great love for the Eucharist.
Pray the Novena Prayer.
St. Bernard was at the center of an important Eucharistic miracle. The Duke of Aquitaine separated himself from the Church and had no intention of returning. St. Bernard celebrated Mass and after doing so, St. Bernard walked intently up the aisle and presented the Eucharist to the Duke. He said to him: “We pleaded with you, and you ridiculed us. Now He, the Son of the Virgin, the Lord of the Church, He Whom you persecute has come to you… resist him if you can.” The duke, overcome with grief and overcome by a mysterious force, fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness. iii
May those who have been separated from the Church hear the call to come back to full communion.
Pray the Novena Prayer.
iii The Institute of St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr. The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
Bardstown, KY, Eternal Life, 2016 pg 300
St. John Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests as well as the patron saint of the Year of the Eucharist in the Diocese of Springfield. He was born in Dardilly, France. He wanted to become a priest but struggled a great deal learning Latin. His studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the army. He persevered and became a priest in the small town of Ars. He was known for his skill in the confessional and many penitents would travel to him to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He would spend long hours hearing confessions. He died on August 4, 1859 and was canonized in 1929 by Pope Pius XI, who named him the patron saint of parish priests.
May we approach the Eucharist we a repentant and contrite heart.
Pray the Novena Prayer
There is a very popular devotion in the Church that occurs on the second week of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday. This popular devotion is attributed to St. Faustina Kowalska. Jesus appeared to St. Faustina on February 22, 1931, with two fingers on his heart and pointing toward her. There were rays that were white and red. These rays represent the Blood and Water which flowed from the side of Jesus when his heart was pierced with a lance. They symbolize the purifying power of Baptism and Confession as well as the regenerative power of the Holy Eucharist. iv
As the Eucharist is the sacrament of charity, may we respond with mercy to the faults of others.
Pray the Novena Prayer.
iv. The Institute of St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr. The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
Bardstown, KY, Eternal Life, 2016 pg 306
St. Margaret Mary Alocoque of Paray-le-Monial, a Nun of the Visitation received a vision from Jesus which contains the “Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart.” Jesus reveals many graces associated with this devotion. One of the promises is that through the devotion to the Sacred Heart, we receive all the graces necessary to fulfill our vocation. The love one has for the Sacred Heart of Jesus is directly related to love for the Holy Eucharist. The Jesuit priest Henri Ramiere had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and he wrote, “It is in the Eucharist that we truly find the Heart of Jesus nearest us; it is in the Eucharist that He unites Himself to us in the most intimate way and we to Him.” v
Through our reception of the Holy Eucharist, may we trust in a lifetime supply of graces necessary to fulfill our vocation.
Pray the Novena Prayer.
v. The Institute of St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr. The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
Bardstown, KY, Eternal Life, 2016 pg 316
St Stanislaus Kostka was seventeen when he fell ill. He was so ill that he was near death. He belonged to the Fraternity of St. Barbara; whose members trust their patroness to grant them the grace of Communion at the point of death. At the time, he was living with a Protestant tutor who would not even permit a Catholic priest to visit him. He was not discouraged by this; he only prayed. One night, he miraculously received the Eucharist in the presence of his tutor. He said: “Here is St. Barbara! Here she is with two angels! She’s bringing me to the Blessed Sacrament!” It was reported that the angels gave him Holy Communion. Shortly after, he decided to enter the Jesuit order. vi
In the face of adversity, may we never lose heart.
Pray the Novena Prayer.
vi. The Institute of St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr. The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
Bardstown, KY, Eternal Life, 2016 pg 330
Blessed Carlo Acutis is the Patron of the Eucharistic Congress. He was a regular young boy who loved soccer, playing video games, and going to the movies with his friends. While living a relatively normal life, there was something truly remarkable about him. He possessed a deep love and devotion to Christ in the Eucharist. As the internet was gaining popularity in the early 2000s, he helped form websites for parishes, the Vatican, and made a website with information on Eucharistic miracles.
In October of 2006, in the midst of his research of Eucharistic miracles, he was diagnosed with advanced leukemia. He offered his sufferings for Pope Benedict XVI, the Church, and for his direct entry into heaven. He is quoted as saying: “If we stand in front of the sun, we get a tan, but if we stand before the Blessed Sacrament, we become saints.”
May our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament inspire us to use our talents to the best of our abilities for the good of all.
Pray the Novena Prayer.
Who is this conference for?
The Eucharistic Congress is focused on the Springfield Diocese of Massachusetts to give Catholics in Western Massachusetts the opportunity to learn more about the Eucharist and deepen their love for the gift of Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. All Catholics of Western Massachusetts are invited—please come! If you are from another diocese or state, you are certainly welcome. Young or old, single or with a family—this is a fabulous day for the whole community to experience together. Whoever you are, we want you to come.
This is expensive when I count in my children. Is there assistance available?
We are offering a household cap at $150.00, which we hope will help you bring your whole family. If you are seeking assistance, please call 413 768-0698 or email [email protected]. We also hope that you will help us make this conference break even financially by considering your registration fee as a donation to help keep the Catholic Church strong!
Are there discounts and/or deadlines for the conference?
Yes!
Discounts- If you register yourself or your large family before December 1, 2022, you can receive $10 off your registration.
Deadlines- If you would like lunch included in your registration fee you will need to register by Feb 20, 2023
I have special dietary needs. Can I request special meal choices?
Non-meat sandwiches will be among the lunch choices. Other than that we are unable to provide for special needs.
I would like to be a vendor. How do I do that?
Please see our website for vendor forms or call Lisa Saloio at 413 459-7435.
Are vendors able to participate in the talks?
Vendors are welcome to attend the programs. Your vendor registration fee covers the attendance of two adults.
Who put this conference together? Is Catholic Life Conference a local organization?
The Catholic Life Conference of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, Inc., is a nonprofit 501c3 incorporation formed under the direction of the Diocese of Springfield in cooperation with the Bishop and his staff. However, Catholic Life Conference is a separate entity, formed expressly for the purpose of providing conferences for the Catholics of Western Massachusetts. Under the leadership of its president, April Helenek, and a board drawing upon Catholics throughout the Diocese, the Catholic Life Conference receives its spiritual direction from Fr. Gary Dailey and Fr. David Aufiero. For the Eucharistic Congress, the Catholic Life Conference has been working in conjunction with the Year of the Eucharist committee for the Diocese of Springfield. This Eucharistic Congress is given by Catholics and is for all Catholics here in Western Massachusetts.
Will my teen have fun or will he or she be bored?
We have chosen our speakers with young adults in mind, and that includes your teen. We invite teens to participate in the main program, with opportunities that may especially appeal to them. We expect that your teenager will be glad he or she came and may be able to use this day as part of their confirmation formation. Speak to your DRE and/or teacher for details in this regard.
Can people from outside the Diocese attend?
Absolutely. We want everyone to come! Just register online and invite your friends. We have space for everyone.
I’d like to promote my business. How can I advertise in the program?
We will be offering advertising space in our program to help offset the cost of the conference. If you would like to have your ad in the program, please call Anne Marie Jacques at 413 204-2933 or email her at [email protected]
I’d like to be a donor to support this Eucharistic Congress. How do I do that?
You can support the Eucharistic Congress with an underwriting gift. We would love to hear from you! Contact Deacon George Nolan at 413-523-3394 or email him at [email protected].
How can I volunteer?
We are looking for volunteers and would love your help! Come be part of the team. Look on our website catholiclifeconference.org and choose “Volunteers” from the menu. To make this conference a success we are in need of a large crew of wonderful, enthusiastic helpers!! Volunteers will need to pay the conference fee, but we promise you the fun of being actively involved as an act of love. Plus, a free t-shirt!
Please check back on the website with updates.
Please note: This conference is 100% volunteer-based in order to make this day a reality.