More than 1,100 people spent a recent Saturday experiencing and growing their love for the Lord while also building up their profound sense of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
The 6th Emaus Congress took place Aug. 23, 2025, at the Turner-Agri Center in Arcadia. The event, which was in Spanish, was for those who have completed an Emmaus weekend retreat in the past, and also served as an opportunity to renew and recapture the fire that was ignited during their first retreat. During that retreat, participants learned a new way to live their life, as Jesus taught in the Gospel of Luke with a particular emphasis on the story of the Road to Emmaus.
Between the speakers and the music, there was a sense of community that everyone felt, making the day joyous and fruitful. Many of those present commented on how uplifting and unifying the day was, bringing them closer to Jesus Christ in ways they did not expect.
“Beautiful!” “Amazing!” “Powerful!” “I felt Christ’s love!” were just some of the reactions of participants during the day. One woman from St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres could not keep from smiling all day, exclaiming “I am so inspired and happy. What a wonderful day!”
The Congress, with the theme “Y Ellos lo Reconocieron al Partir el Pan (And They Recognized Him in the Breaking of Bread),” built upon the retreat experience by presenting a series of speakers and music, inspiring the participants to leave changed for the better.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass and first noted how the members of Emaus are a blessing to the Diocese. Present for the Congress were representatives from 26 different Parishes, and Bishop Dewane was impressed at how many are leaders at their Parish, some doing work that is visible, but many other doing good works behind the scenes.
“As followers of Jesus Christ, you give yourself to God, and you do it with joy,” Bishop Dewane said. “Your Parishes and the Diocese are stronger because of your presence and the work you do. You see the presence of God in each other. This helps build up the Church. When the Lord asks, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ you live out that response.”
Bishop Dewane said the pillars of the Emaus movement – testimony, adoration and friendship – is witnessed in the faithful’s devotion to knowing the Lord through Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
“You see the goodness around you and continue to be that light of Christ out in the world,” the Bishop said. “Know that you are prayed for and formed for the work that the Diocese carries out in your Parishes.”
Bishop Dewane did note that some members of Emaus did not attend the Congress out of fear, a product of the difficult times in which we live. “Tell those who were not able to be here today that they are very much in our prayers.”
Father Luis Pacheco, Spiritual Director for Hispanic Emaus and Administrator at St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, thanked the Bishop for his time in celebrating Mass for the Congress and for his ongoing support of the movement which inspires many throughout the Diocese to grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Father Pacheco said the goal of the Congress is to reinforce the benefits of the impactful retreats.
“This can fade over time,” Father Pacheco said. “This gathering is a renewal so that everyone will carry this message and bring their excitement back to their Parishes, spreading the message of the Lord to others.”
The Emmaus retreat program is a Diocesan-approved retreat weekend that takes place three times a year in both English and Spanish. It’s open to all men and women ages 20 or older seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ regardless of their present level of faith and practice. The purpose of the weekend is to give adults the opportunity to reflect upon themselves, their relationship with God and their community.
To learn more about Emmaus retreats across the Diocese, contact your local Parish or email emaus@dioceseofvenice.org.
