Washington, DC:

The National Eucharistic Congress, which is being held in Indianapolis from July 17–21, has introduced a new plan to make the participation more affordable for families with financial difficulties.

With the purpose of helping individuals who require financial support to pay for the five-day congress's registration fees, the US Catholic bishops have established a new ‘Solidarity Fund.’

Kris Frank, vice president of growth and marketing for the National Eucharistic Congress told OSV News, “Led by our bishops, we have raised nearly one million dollars to give away so that people from all over the country can join us in Indianapolis and return home filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to bring renewal to their families, churches and communities.”

Full event passes, which do not include transportation, housing or meals, cost $360 per individual, $299 per parent and $250 per teens aged 13-18. Children aged 12 and under are free.

Group fees range from $299-$349 per person, while admission for priests, deacons, seminarians and religious has been set at $299. Since group room blocks are already completely booked, a night's stay at one of the nearby hotels can cost anything from more than $100 to more than $600 during the congress.

Candidates must be able to prove their need for financial assistance and be ready to arrange their own housing for the congress. Secondary criteria include requesting assistance to invite a larger group to the event and hailing from an underrepresented region or community.

Religious, seminarians and diocesan-organized groups in Catholic Extension supported dioceses will be directed to apply for funding through Catholic Extension.

The online application form for the Solidarity Fund can be accessed online at eucharisticcongress.org/solidarity-fund.

The National Eucharistic Revival, an effort to revive devotion to the actual presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, is a three-year grassroots program sponsored by the nation's Catholic bishops. It was started in June 2022.

It is anticipated that 80,000 people will attend the congress, where young adults will travel on foot along four cross-country routes.