On Saturday evening, pilgrims gathered in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel for Mass and Adoration, with music provided by the 91快活林 Aquinas College California Choir. Afterward, Catholic Answers Tim Staples opened the Congress with a reflection on the Virgin Mary as Mother of the Eucharist. 湗Mother of the Eucharist incorporates, first of all, the greatest of all titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Mother of God, Theotokos, he said. 淏ut it also brings out Mary檚 role in God檚 great plan of salvation, in which, as Pope Francis said, everything is rooted in her divine maternity.
The event also featured four other keynote speakers on Sunday, including National Eucharistic Congress CEO Jason Shanks, Sr. Miriam, O.P., Sr. Regina Marie, O.C.D., and Rev. Nathan Cromly. Following lunch and benediction, the pilgrims left campus, continuing on their journey through California.
淚 see TAC檚 mission and that of the Camino de California Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress as similar in our desire to build a culture of faith grounded in the reality of God檚 love, mercy, and truth, with the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith and ultimately of all healing, says College Counselor Greg Wood, LMFT, one of the event檚 organizers. 淲e were very happy to provide the venue and coordinate the visit, adds Jon Daly, California director of admissions. 淚t was an honor to host all of our guests and pilgrims.