This was a wonderful, albeit busy, summer for the U.S. Catholic Church. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Seton route processed through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati during July 1-8, followed by the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) in Indianapolis shortly thereafter. Across the country, NEC and its pilgrimage revitalized and evangelized faith in the Real Presence of the Eucharist. I attended two days of the NEC and am still overwhelmed by the number of Catholics gathered in one place—and at one stadium Mass.

The NEC was the culmination for pilgrims who literally walked across the U.S. with the Blessed Sacrament. In some areas, they processed bravely through large cities, surrounded by concrete and thousands of people staring, though much of the pilgrimage passed through rural areas and side streets.

Persevering through harsh weather meant they got up close and personal with God’s creation. This was an opportunity to duck inside the accompanying RV or pause under a covered doorway, but they usually chose to keep walking instead. Perhaps they didn’t do this with an overt purpose of recognizing God’s creation, but it elevated their action all the same.

One of the most powerful moments for me when watching coverage of the pilgrimage pass through our archdiocese was seeing the footage from that rainy Friday. As the rain pounded down on them, participants in the well-attended Eucharistic procession carried umbrellas while onlookers knelt before Him, in the streets and on sidewalks—all continuing to sing, ring bells, and move through nature’s elements with joy.

The scene recalled Pope Francis’ Message for the 2024 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: “Our lives can become a song of love for God, for humanity, with and for creation, and find their fullness in holiness.” He continued, “At stake is not only our earthly life in history, but also, and above all, our future in eternity, the eschaton of our blessedness, the paradise of our peace, in Christ, the Lord of the cosmos, crucified and risen out of love.”

This idea is, perhaps, more visually recognizable during our summer days when everything is lush, green and alive.

Inside this issue of the magazine, you will find stories about both the Eucharistic pilgrimage and NEC, as well as how people across our archdiocese work on farms and in gardens both to grow closer to God and because, as Pope Francis said, “We were created in the image of God who is Jesus Christ, and, as a result, are ‘representatives’ of creation in Christ Himself.”