Eucharistic Congress
at the BOS Center in Springfield | October 28, 2023
A historic event that will feed your soul and inspire your faith in a radical way
To celebrate the Year of the Eucharist going on in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois right now and the 100th anniversary of the transfer of the See city of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois from Alton to Springfield, you are invited to a historic celebration and Mass, and it’s all free!
What
This Eucharistic Congress will be a spiritually uplifting and motivating event featuring talks from nationally popular Catholic speakers Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM, Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, Father Denis Robinson, OSB, and Dr. Scott Hahn. It also includes Catholic vendors, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, a showing of the documentary God is Alive | Incredible stories of faith and miraculous events in Central Illinois, and a showing of The Chair, which highlights the beauty of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield and the history of the diocese. The day culminates with the very essence of the Year of the Eucharist, the Mass, with an arena full of Catholics eager to hear the Word of God and receive Jesus present in the holy Eucharist.
When
Saturday, October 28
Doors open at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 4 p.m.
(see full schedule below)
Where
BOS Center in downtown Springfield
(1, Convention Center Plaza)
Attend
Contact your parish office as each parish will be designated a specific number of available seats. You can inquire with your parish starting July 1.
Volunteer
Come join us as we put into practice the pillars of hospitality and service!
Support/
Sponsor
Interested in financially supporting this historic Eucharistic Congress by donating or becoming a sponsor?
About the speakers
Dr. Scott Hahn
Dr. Scott Hahn
Dr. Scott Hahn is the Fr. Michael Scanlan Professor of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is the Founder and President of the St. Paul Center, an apostolate dedicated to teaching Catholics to read Scripture from the heart of the Church.
An exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, Dr. Hahn has delivered numerous talks nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. His talks have been effective in helping thousands of protestants and fallen away Catholics to (re)embrace the Catholic faith.
Dr. Hahn has been married to Kimberly for 43 years. They have six kids and 21 grandkids. They also have one son ordained to the Diocese of Steubenville, Fr. Jeremiah Hahn. As the author and editor of over 40 popular and academic books, Dr. Hahn’s works include best-selling titles Rome Sweet Home, The Lamb’s Supper, and Hail Holy Queen. His most recent releases are titled Hope to Die and Holy is His Name; The Transforming Power of God’s Holiness in Scripture now available at StPaulCenter.com.
Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM
Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM
Sister M. Karolyn Nunes entered the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George in 2005. A native of Rhode Island, she is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville having received a Bachelor's degree in Theology with a concentration in Religious Education and a Masters in Catechetics and Evangelization. Over the past 20 years, she has worked in the field of catechetics and youth ministry in parishes and schools in Tennessee, Illinois, New Jersey, Kansas, and Missouri. Nothing brings her more joy than to share the fullness of life and the merciful love of Christ with others and to help them to find the same in God's incredible plan for their lives which is her current apostolate as vocation director for her community. As part of her work as vocation director, she is often invited as a speaker for days of recollection, retreats, and events for youth and adults alike. She enjoys painting and other arts and crafts and making music on the guitar, harmonica, ukulele, and as a human jukebox with a song always on her heart.
Father Chase Hilgenbrinck
Father Chase Hilgenbrinck
Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck is a priest of the Diocese of Peoria where he is serving in his third year as Vocation Director. Before working full time in Vocations, he was a campus chaplain at St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois. Fr. Chase was raised Catholic, but his greatest love was for the game of soccer. He became a high school All-American and played on the United States Under-17 National Team before moving on to play Division I soccer at Clemson University. After graduating from Clemson, Fr. Chase spent four years playing professionally in the Chile, prior to returning to the U.S. and signing with Major League Soccer's New England Revolution. In 2008, Fr. Chase resigned his contract and entered Mount St. Mary's Seminary with hopes of becoming a Catholic priest. He was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ in 2014.
Father Denis Robinson, OSB
Father Denis Robinson, OSB
The Very Reverend Denis Robinson, OSB, is President-Rector of Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, IN and has served in this capacity since 2008. A Benedictine monk, he is also an assistant professor of systematic theology. A Mississippi native, Father Denis attended Saint Meinrad College and School of Theology, earning a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1989 and a Master of Divinity in 1993. From 1993-96, he was parochial vicar for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis, TN. He joined the Saint Meinrad monastery in August 1996. Father Denis also attended the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, where he received a master's degree in theology in 2002, a licentiate in sacred theology in 2003, and doctorates in sacred theology and philosophy in 2007.
Sponsors and Donors
Would your company like to sponsor the Eucharistic Congress? Your sponsorship will impact 7,000+ Catholics day-of and provide promotion to over 129 parishes leading up to the event! For more information on sponsoring the event, contact Katie Price at kprice@dio.org or Rachel Langdon at rlangdon@dio.org.
Do you desire to make a gift that will impact thousands of Catholics? Consider a gift to the Eucharistic Congress! All donors will be honored in a special way at the Congress and gifts made in honor of a loved one will also be designated. Your gift will provide for a day of engaging speakers and vibrant liturgy for thousands from across the diocese!