Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quebec City (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec City, and the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress (2008 IEC) organizers invite the public to take part in a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Quebec City on June 19. The procession will begin at 7 p.m., starting from Colisée Pepsi and ending at the Agora in the city’s Old Port. The procession will cover 5.1 km and will include a number of planned stops. This public activity will enable 2008 IEC pilgrims and Quebec City residents to meet together. Some 15,000 people are expected to take part in the procession. The procession will be led by a vehicle carrying the Blessed Sacrament, papal legate Cardinal Jozef Tomko, and Cardinal Marc Ouellet. Enormous banners and giants will accompany the marchers. These representations of saints and blesseds from Quebec will highlight the Catholic Church of Quebec’s contribution to the city’s development.
Stops at various locations are planned all along the route. The first stop is scheduled for around 7:30 p.m. at Église Saint-François-d’Assise, where Cardinal Tomko will enter the church with the Blessed Sacrament and bless the assembly gathered there. Around 9 p.m., the marchers will stop at Église Saint-Roch. Here, pilgrims may light their candle for the final stage of the procession to the Agora. About 20 minutes before arriving at the final destination, the Gen Verde group will take the stage. The activity will end around 10:30 p.m.
The 49th International Eucharistic Congress will take place in Quebec City, June 15-22, with the theme: “The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World,” coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the first French establishment in Quebec City. During the month of May, the preliminary program was officially presented. During the event, the participants of various nationalities will meet in parish churches to dialogue and pray with members of these parishes. There will be public acts: Eucharistic Procession, prayer vigil with young people, artistic and cultural activities, and family events. On June 20, the social work that will give testimony to the fruits of the Congress in years to come, will begin.
The new communications website (www.ecdq.tv) for the Diocese of Quebec will offer live coverage of the entire Eucharistic Congress, with the hope of being able to reach as many Catholics as possible on a world level, so that they may participate in this great event of the faith.
A varied program will be offered, including catechesis, testimonies, reports, interviews, analysis, and the possibility of following the events in live in French, English, and Spanish. Several hours later, these same events will be available for re-viewing. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/5/2008)
