After such a successful National Eucharistic Congress in 2024, the Catholic Church in the US is eager for the next epic gathering. Now, organizers have announced plans for the next National Eucharistic Congress, and it's coming sooner than we expected. While there was talk that the next Congress would come in 2033, it has been revealed that organizers have already set their sights on 2029.
According to The Pillar, the announcement was made at the ongoing “Legatus Summit,” where Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Congress, explained that the US bishops were already on board.
While he was unable to confirm the location for the event he did note that organizers are already considering potential venues.
The 2024 National Eucharistic Congress was held in Indianapolis, where an estimated 60,000 Catholics gathered from all over the world. Indianapolis was selected for its central location in the country, which worked as a perfect target at which to aim the four National Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes. While the Pillar did not confirm there would be another pilgrimage of this scope, the addition of a pilgrimage would likely place the Congress in another middle-American city.
The report noted that the US bishops voted to hold the next Congress in 2029 back in November, during the annual meeting of the USCCB. At that time, a task force of bishops was selected and tasked with the planning of this next great meeting of Catholics. The task force is expected to give a formal presentation on the 2029 National Eucharistic Congress at the 2025 USCCB meeting in November 2025.
It is fitting that news of the next Congress will be late in the year, as the National Eucharistic Revival is still ongoing in 2025, with the Year of Missionary Sending.
Shanks reminded that Revival efforts are continuing and encouraged the faithful to pray for those taking part in the Year of Missionary Sending, as well as the 2029 Congress, in correspondence with CNA:
“We recognize that the success of the previous congress can be attributed to the countless individuals who prayed and interceded for the event. So, we invite the Church to join us in praying not only for the planning of this future congress but that we might continue to Walk with One through this year of missionary sending,” Shanks told CNA.
Learn more about the National Eucharistic Revival at its official website. There, you can also sign up for a newsletter that will keep you up to date with all upcoming news on the 2029 National Eucharistic Congress.