 The members of the First National Eucharistic Congress in 1895 in front of McMahon Hall atCatholic University of America | |
| Date | October 2–3, 1895 (1895-10-02 –1895-10-03) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Type | Eucharistic congress |
| Organized by | Camillus Paul Maes |
| Papal envoy | Francesco Satolli |
TheFirst National Eucharistic Congress was an event held October 2–3, 1895 (1895-10-02 –1895-10-03) inWashington, D.C. for the purpose of fostering devotion to the sacrament of theEucharist. It was held atSt. Patrick's Church, the oldest Catholic church in Washington, D.C., and atCatholic University, then only 7 years old.
Twenty-five archbishops and bishops attended, most prominentlyJames Cardinal Gibbons, theArchbishop of Baltimore and ArchbishopFrancesco Satolli,Apostolic Delegate to the United States.[1]
250 priests attended, most from Fr.Peter Julian Eymard'sPriests' Eucharistic League, and most from the Eastern United States.[2]
The congress on October 2 was opened at McMahon Hall atCatholic University with the reading of a letter to the congress byPope Leo XIII. In it, he expressed his pleasure at the congress was being held and sent his apostolic benediction.[3] BishopJohn Keane, first rector of theCatholic University of America, welcomed the visitors. Three papers were then presented:The Place of the Holy Eucharist in the Divine Plan of Salvation by Rev. E.R. Dyer ofSt. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore,The Holy Eucharist and the Personal Life of the Priest by Rev. D. J. McMahon, andThe Holy Eucharist and the Ministry of the Priest by Rev. D.F. Feehan.[3] The day closed with adoration atSt. Patrick's Church celebrated by ArchbishopWilliam Elder ofCincinnati.[2]: 12
On October 3, the papersHow to Promote Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament among the People by Rev. J. F. Foley,The Preparation of Souls for First Communion by Rev. H.J. Heuser ofSt. Charles's Seminary,Priests' Eucharistic League by Rev. H. Brinkmeyer,[3] andHow the Real Presence makes Converts by Rev. Walter Elliott were presented in the morning.[2]: 13 The afternoon session consisted ofThe Holy Eucharist in the Eastern Church by Rev. Joseph Yazbeck, a Maronite Missionary.[2]: 13
The congress was closed with a Eucharistic procession through the university grounds, concluding with theTe Deum.[2]: 14 Almost four hundred "priests, prelates, divinity students, altar boys, and members of various monkish denominations" processed, along with members of the laity.[4]
After the congress, the archbishops of the United States who were present conducted their annual meeting, at which "minor diocesan matters" were discussed.[3]: 9 In attendance were ArchbishopJames Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore, ArchbishopJohn Williams of Boston, ArchbishopMichael Corrigan of New York, ArchbishopWilliam Elder ofCincinnati,John Hennessy of Dubuque, and ArchbishopFrancis Janssens ofNew Orleans.[3]: 9 BishopJohn Vertin ofSault Sainte Marie–Marquette represented ArchbishopFrederick Katzer ofMilwaukee, who was in Rome at the time.[3]: 9
