2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

Sister of Notre Dame Rose Marie Tulacz, right, shows off her photography to Pam Kramer of Saint Marguerite D'Youville Church, Lawrenceville, left, and her friend, Shirley Deitz, from the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. Sister Rose Marie Tulacz is a photographer, author and spiritual director who resides in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

Sister of Notre Dame Rose Marie Tulacz, right, shows off her photography in the exhibit hall to Pam Kramer of Saint Marguerite D'Youville Church, Lawrenceville, left, and her sister, Shirley Deitz, from the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. Sister Rose Marie Tulacz is a photographer, author and spiritual director who resides in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

Stephanie Becerra, right and Angel Maldonado were part of the contemporary Hispanic choir from St. Catherine of Siena Church, Kennesaw, that provided music for the June 1 opening Mass of the Eucharistic Congress. The choir is under the direction of Maldonado and Daisy Reyes. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

(Front row, l-r) Jose Torres, his wife Emilia and Ricardo Chavez, all from San Diego, Calif., attend the opening Mass of the 23rd annual Eucharistic Congress at the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park. In the aisle next to Torres is a statue of the scourged Jesus he purchased in the exhibit hall prior to the liturgy. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger III elevates the chalice, which becomes the blood of Christ during the consecration. He was the principal celebrant and homilist for the opening Mass of the 2018 Eucharistic Congress. Joining him on the altar in the background is Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

The monstrance, holding the real presence of Jesus, is displayed on the altar during exposition and adoration, which followed the opening Mass. Kneeling to the side of the altar is Father Tim Hepburn, Archdiocese of Atlanta vocations director and one of two priests leading adoration and the healing service. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

Father Carlos Vargas, pastor of Good Samaritan Catholic Church, Ellijay, kneels before real presence of Jesus displayed on the altar. Father Vargas joined Father Tim Hepburn during adoration and the healing service. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

Kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, Mai Le, a member of the Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Church in Norcross, prays for comfort and healing as she deals with a serious illness. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

Stephanie Toole, center, a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Columbia, S.C., and Jose Duarte of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, pray before the Blessed Sacrament with hundreds of other people. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

During Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Father Tim Hepburn, second from right, archdiocesan director of vocations, censes the monstrance holding the real presence of Jesus. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

The altar is filled with incense as Father Tim Hepburn, fourth from right, archdiocesan director of vocations, leads the divine praises during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

With help from Deacon Steve Swope, right, Rev. Mr. Carlos Ortega removes the Blessed Sacrament from the altar in the main hall at the conclusion of the June 1 Benediction service. It marked an end to the opening evening of the 23rd annual Eucharistic Congress at the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 1)

(R-l) Clarence and Kathy Burkholder of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Smyrna, pray with JoAnn Williams of Jasper, Texas, who sought healing for herself and her grandson. Williams was attending the Eucharistic Congress with her daughter, also from east Texas. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

Standing outside the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park as day two of the event prepares to get underway, Felipe Gabuardi of St. Matthew Church, Winder, passes out Eucharistic Congress programs. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

Prior to the morning procession, Father Jacques Fabre, right, administrator of San Felipe de Jesús Mission in Forest Park, joins his parishioners as they praise God with the members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Hartwell, who led the singing and playing of music. Photo By Michael Alexander.

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

Prior to the morning procession, Scalabrinian Father Jacques Fabre, center, administrator of San Felipe de Jesús Mission in Forest Park, joins his parishioners as they praise God with the members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Hartwell, who led the singing and music. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, center, processes with the Blessed Sacrament before the thousands of Eucharistic Congress participants outdoors, who will follow behind him during the morning procession to the interior of the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, center, processes with the Blessed Sacrament before the thousands of Eucharistic Congress participants outdoors, who will follow behind him during the morning procession to the interior of the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Hartwell, and its banner processes in between two Norcross parishes. Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Church was ahead of them and St. Patrick Church was behind them. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

One of the archdiocese’s closest parishes in proximity to the Georgia International Convention Center, College Park, Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Atlanta, was among the many churches carrying a banner in the Eucharistic Congress’s morning procession. Photo By Michael Alexander

2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

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2018 Eucharistic Congress (Day 2)

The Haitian Community banner holders process among others from St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Alpharetta. Photo By Michael Alexander