Diocese of Springfield in Illinois

Free, but you must reserve your seat.

All registered attendees will receive a ticket via their email or text message. If you have not received your ticket after 5 days of registration, please first check your spam folder. Then, contact your local parish or email [email protected].

There is a parking garage just to the west to the BOS Center on the corner of Seventh and Washington Streets. This garage is the BOS Center Parking Garage, which is a $5 fee, CARD ONLY, paid upon entry into the garage. All ADA accessible parking is on level 3. Gates will be up at the end of the event so everyone can exit the garage without having to stop and pay. Another garage on the corner of Seventh and Monroe Streets is a couple blocks away from the BOS Center. Information about that garage and other parking lots, prices, and information can be found here. Street parking in downtown Springfield is also currently free all day.

Yes, concession stands will offer food and drink. No outside food is allowed in the BOS Center.

Yes, but your child(ren) must reserve their seat with your parish as each parish will be designed a certain number of available seats. The event will also offer a family room in the basement of the BOS Center which will allow children to play. The parent/guardian must stay with their child(ren) in that room at all times as the room will not be staffed.

Yes. You are free to leave the BOS Center any time during the event and return. Please see a Front Door Hospitality volunteer for a stamp to return to the center.

Yes. There will be a designated area on the floor of the arena for the handicapped. The BOS Center is handicapped accessible.

There is no assigned seating/reserved seating (except for religious) as it's on a first come, first serve basis. Be advised, if you leave your seats at any time, when you return, they could be taken by someone else.

You are free to arrive when you'd like and come and go from any programming or speakers throughout the day. You are also free to leave and return to the BOS Center as well.

Though there is no dress code, all attendees are asked to dress appropriately for the event. Please note the day ends with Mass. It is suggested to wear comfortable footwear in order to walk around the Bank of Springfield Center.

Bags will only be checked on a case by case basis

Only the Mass portion will be livestreamed. You can watch on the diocese's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/diospringfield

Bishop Paprocki has been authorized by the Holy See to impart the Papal Blessing at the end the Eucharistic Mass for those in attendance or watching via livestream. The Papal Blessing carries with it a plenary (or full) indulgence, as long as one also goes to Confession, receives the Eucharist, and prays for the intentions of the Pope (praying a Hail Mary and Our Father for the pope's intentions is suggested). These acts "may be carried out several days preceding or following the performance of the prescribed works. But, it is more fitting that Communion and the prayer for the pope's intentions take place on the day the work is performed" (Handbook of Indulgences, Norms for Indulgences, 23.3). So, take advantage of this treasure by going to Confession today in the lower level between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Then, make sure to pray for the pope's intentions and receive our Lord in the holy Eucharist! An indulgence is a gift and grace that remits the temporal punishment due to sin, which has already been forgiven but not rectified.

Yes, here is a map of the arena. Here is a map of the lower level that shows where the other experiences are.

Email the Eucharistic Congress Team at [email protected].