Upwards of 10,000 Catholics are in the Capital Region this weekend in Auriesville for the New York State Eucharistic Congress. It’s the celebration of Catholics belief in the Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ.

The weekend long event is being held at Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine and features numerous keynote speakers and musical breaks throughout each day, in addition to the traditional prayers.

Those Spectrum News 1 spoke with say this Eucharistic Congress comes at an important time.

According to the Pew Research Center, religion and the belief in it has shifted, with a large number of Americans feeling religion is losing its influence in public life due in large part to the various sexual abuse scandals.

Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger says the best thing that can be done in response to this is to listen and be patient.

"Trust is something with once it's broken,” Scharfenberger said. “It takes time and patience, and I will say sacrifice, in order to be reinvigorated."

Saturday’s schedule is set to wrap up after the nightly prayer at 9:45 p.m. before getting underway again Sunday at 7:30 a.m.