Event in Tampa will bring together 12,000 Catholics.

What:   Eucharistic Encounter, the Largest Gathering of Catholics in the History of the Tampa Bay area

When:  Saturday, September 20, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Doors open at 12 noon)

Where: Benchmark International Arena (formerly known as Amalie Arena), 401 Channelside, Dr. Tampa

Photo Caption: Michael and Marissa Guarino met Pope Leo XIV on August 23, 2025, at the Vatican. During this audience with the Holy Father, he learned about the Eucharistic Encounter and gave his blessing for the event’s success. (Photo courtesy Vatican Media)

Just two days before the preseason opening of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Benchmark International Arena will become a sacred space for Catholics from the Bay Area and beyond. A religious event on September 20th is expected to be the largest gathering of Catholics in the history of Tampa Bay.

Eucharistic Encounter, a free event, has been at capacity of 12,000 tickets shortly after registration opened this past March. The event is a grassroots effort organized by parishioners and priests to revitalize the Catholic Church. They have planned a day-long extravaganza mini-retreat that includes a lineup of national speakers, Adoration, Mass and a world-renowned Christian music artist.

“I hope and pray this will be a life-changing experience of personal transformation for all of the participants,” said Bishop Gregory Parkes, leader of the Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg. He will lead the central worship event of the day, the Mass, that will be celebrated on a large stage on the floor of the Arena.

Headlining the event will be Catholic artists and speakers, including #1 podcaster and Youtuber, Father Mike Schmitz and Grammy award-nominated artist Matt Maher. The focus of the event will be on finding hope thru Jesus in the Eucharist. The theme connects to the Jubilee Year of Hope celebrated by Catholics around the world in 2025.

The Eucharistic Encounter is a free event thanks to the generous support of donors, key sponsors, and the vision and passion of Michael Guarino, whose initial idea gave birth to this initiative. Alongside his wife, Marissa, and with the help of their dedicated team, this event has taken shape through prayer, planning, and a deep love for their Catholic faith.

A Catholic event was held in 1999 at the Ice Palace (the Arena’s original name), where a statewide youth rally drew hundreds of teenagers from across Florida. In 2023, a Eucharistic Encounter at the JW Marriott brought nearly 1,000 people together, which led to the 2024 Roar of the Rosary at the Straz Center for Performing Arts, where more than 2,500 prayed the Rosary and took part in Eucharistic Adoration on the Hillsborough River. The momentum has been overwhelmingly positive and now brings us to the Benchmark International Arena, where we expect over 12,000 people.