Amherst family bonds during National Eucharistic Congress

It may be a cliché, but it’s true in this case. “The family that prays together, stays together,” said Steve Quebral, who led his family of five to the National Eucharistic Congress. The Amherst family joined others from The Buffalo Diocese on a bus trip to Indianapolis for the July 17-21 gathering.

There was no question that the family would experience the spirit, the speakers and the sights together. Family trips are a staple of the Quebrals, who also share a love of music.  

“As soon as I heard about the Year of Eucharistic Revival, including the Eucharistic Congress, I was determined that we were going to get here. Absolutely was not going to miss it,” said patriarch Steve. “Originally, I wasn’t sure if we were all going to get to go as a family. We kept working on it.”

“It’s was like, ‘Who wants to go?’ in the family group chat. ‘Yes! We want to go,’” said daughter Julia.

The only holdout was oldest son, Lorenzo, a seminarian who had a summer assignment working on the East Side of Buffalo along with fellow seminarian Joseph Graham.

“I didn’t think I was going to be able to go,” he said. “One night, my mom messages me, ‘We can fit you in somehow. Just register and we’ll figure it out.’ Then I talked to Father Dave Baker, our vocations director. He said, ‘Well, if you can get in, I’ll let you guys go.’ It all got thrown together very last minute. Even a week ago, I didn’t think I’d be able to come.”

Their last minute scheduling forced all five to share a room. Lorenzo had to sleep on the floor.

“We took turns,” chimed in brother Paco.

The congress offered many impact sessions and breakout talks, as well as guest speakers and prayer opportunities throughout the five-day experience. On Saturday, July 20, a eucharistic procession took place in downtown Indianapolis involving priests, religious sisters, Knights of Columbus, youth groups, and even a Native American troupe. Locals could be seen watching from office windows.

Steve cites the procession as his favorite part of the congress.

“It was the five of us together and seeing thousands and thousands so devoted, singing together, praying together, worshiping together,” he recalled. “Being able to witness that was an amazing experience. I was so overcome with emotion, I grabbed the family. We had a family group hug.”

The Quebrals hadn’t seen a public profession of faith that large since visiting Fatima, Portugal 20 years ago.

“When you see these people from all different parts of the country, and they’re all praying together and singing together. They’re singing the ‘Tantum ergo’ and kneeling together. It’s so powerful. The Catholic Church is universal. No matter what parts of the country or even parts of the world you’re from, It’s the same Lord, the same prayers. We’re all a family,” Steve said.

Lorenzo recalled the powerful experience of the last adoration held Saturday night.

“I don’t think anything in the universe could make a group of 50 to 60 thousand people sit in silence, fixed on adoring one particular focus point with no distractions, no phones, no chattering going on,” he said. “There’s a religious element in doing a bunch of things together – singing together, processing together. But, just sitting there in stillness, in silence, I think that’s something that is completely unique and transcendental to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.”

“I’m convinced more than I have ever been that the most powerful force in the universe is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. There is no more powerful force in the universe,” added Steve.  

As a seminarian, Lorenzo participated in several Masses at the congress, often as a Communion guide. His family got to see him among the hundreds of bishops, priests and altar servers in Lucas Oil Stadium.

He received “Two thumbs up” from his sister.

“It was really precious,” added his mother, Agnes. “I was already thinking of the next congress. God willing, he would be a priest by then. So, we’re already planning on it.”

Now that the congress has ended and the Quebrals, as all the participants, have been commissioned as eucharistic missionaries, what comes next?

“We’re already pretty involved with our parish (St. Gregory the Great in Williamsville).  We want to use those avenues that we currently have. For example, the young adult ministry and the music ministry. I’m also on the RCIA team and teach religious ed,” said Steve. “So, all the avenues that we already have, I think we want to use this experience to deepen the impact that we can bring.”

“Because we are a big family, I want to start with our family,” said Agnes, explaining that there may be 40 people gathered together under one roof during the holidays. “Not everyone in the family is active in the faith. So, I think this would be an opportunity to share what we learned, even if it’s just the website or pictures. It might spark interest. It’s a good place to start.”