The core aspect of the Catholic Faith is at the center of the greatest love story of all time—the love story of Jesus Christ—and the heart of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) in July 2024. This was a gathering of over 60,000 Catholics from all over the country to encounter Jesus Christ right here, in Indianapolis. Chief Mission Officer of Mission and Identity, Adam Setmeyer shares, “The Church came to deepen their faith, learn about the life of Jesus, celebrate his presence in the Eucharist, and commit to living like him after the congress ended.”
The congress ignited a desire for a renewed encounter with our first love: his Eucharistic Heart. Timothy Schmalz, the official sculptor of the NEC, was inspired by this purpose and created “This is My Body”—a 22 ft bronze encased sculpture welcoming pilgrims into the mission of the Congress. The sculpture is now displayed on Marian University’s campus. First, it was sculpted in clay, then molded, and finally cast in bronze forming a monument depicting a visual translation of the transubstantiation of Christ’s flesh and blood.
Jesus’ blood flowing into a bowl of bread and a cup conveys that we can truly encounter his real presence in the celebration of the Eucharist and that those who receive the Eucharist are called to love the world in the same manner that he showed us. This eight-month process became a “crystallization of the Eucharist and the beauty of the Congress,” says Schmalz, “The congress may last five days, but a sculpture evangelizes forever.”
St. Francis has this inspiring quote that goes, “Preach always and when necessary, use words.” As a Franciscan university, Marian strives to evangelize and embrace its authentic, catholic identity with St. Francis’ words in mind—through the students, faculty, courses, environment, etc. “Marian University is an oasis of Catholicism in the center of America,” says Schmalz, “What a perfect place to hold this image of Catholicism.”
As time goes on this sign of Christ’s love will forever remain an element of hope and light for the Marian community and all who come to campus. The Eucharistic Revival is here. It is now. Marian is blessed to have such a front-row seat to the power of Christ’s love moving in the world. Adam Setmeyer reflects, “The statue will forever connect Marian University to this important moment in the country’s Catholic history.”
Do this in memory of me. Luke 22:19