March 3, 2023

More than 1,200 expected at Eucharistic Congress in Springfield March 4

REGIONAL
Staff report

Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne elevates the Blessed Sacrament before eucharistic adoration at St. Michael’s Cathedral in October 2021. (Catholic Communications file photo/Fred LeBlanc)

SPRINGFIELD – More than 1,200 people are expected to attend the Eucharistic Congress, which will be held Saturday, March 4 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The all-day conference will include internationally renowned speakers who will present in English and Spanish, a children’s program, adoration, and a closing Mass to be celebrated by Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne.

The closing Mass will be videotaped and will air on the “Chalice of Salvation” broadcast the following day, Sunday, March 5 at 10 a.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.

The event’s theme is “He is Present,” with a goal of helping Catholics better understand the teaching of the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

“It’s going to be a great celebration. We have amazing national speakers, everything to meet a person’s spiritual needs to gather us around the Eucharist to celebrate Christ truly present,” said Bishop Byrne. “This is a must-attend event.”

The speakers include Edward Sri, Ph.D., a Catholic author and speaker who regularly appears on EWTN. He has written several books including, Who Am I to Judge? Responding to Relativism with Logic and Love. He also is the host of the acclaimed film series “Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained.” Sri is the founding leader of Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS)

Patricia Sandoval will present in English and Spanish. The international pro-life and chastity speaker will share her story of past abortions, her work at Planned Parenthood, substance abuse, and her conversion. Sandoval is currently the host of the “Pro-Life Report,” on EWTN.

Also in the lineup is Dr. Carlos Parellada, a surgeon at Centro Médico Hospital in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Dr. Parellada will speak about eucharistic miracles. He was involved in the study of the Tixtla (Mexico) eucharistic miracle, using his expertise as a surgeon to extract a sample to provide for pathological review. 

The Diocese of Springfield launched a Year of the Eucharist in 2021, with events, such as Saturday’s conference, aimed at drawing Catholics back to the faith.

More information can be found at catholiclifeconference.org.