Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quebec (Agenzia Fides) – Some 11,000 pilgrims, nearly 50 cardinals, and over 100 Bishops have been attending the 49th International Eucharistic Congress that began in Quebec City (Canada) on June 15, and is still underway. The theme of the Congress is: “The Eucharist, gift of God for the life of the world.” The formal opening ceremony was presided by Papal Legate, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, emeritus President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. Cardinal Tomko will also preside the closing ceremony scheduled for June 22. During the Mass, Pope Benedict XVI will address participants in live, via satellite from Rome. On Sunday, June 15, various sites began holding Eucharistic Adoration, lasting throughout the Congress. There have been 6 Cardinals invited as guest speakers from all over the world, to show the vitality of the Eucharist on all the world’s continents.
On June 16, “ExpoCité” was opened, transformed into a great Eucharistic City that will remain open until June 21. Inside, there are chapels for adoration, an Exposition Hall with over 80 exhibitors and an exposition on the history of Eucharistic Congresses, an Information Center (with details on the schedule of events and available services), and Sala D (with various conferences and testimonies). And that’s not all: there is also the “François-de-Laval” Pavilion, with the Youth Space (conferences, music, round-table discussions, etc. For ages 18-35.), Memory Space (an exposition on spiritual preparation), Souvenir shop (where one can purchase commemorative gifts from the IEC 2008), the Family Space (an exposition on Jesus’ life using 50 clay statues). At the “Blesseds Park,” there is an outdoor exhibit on various historical figures from the Canadian Catholic Church.
On this same say, there was also a celebration in honor of the 349th anniversary of the arrival of Monsignor François de Laval to New France. Various activities were organized in order to recall the spiritual inheritance that has been left by these missionaries and invite the youth and pilgrims of the Congress to become witnesses to the Gospel, following in Christ’s footsteps. The central act of the day was the blessing of a cross by Bishop Pierre-André Fournier, Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec City. The cross, situated in the Church of Saint-Michel de Sillery, will remain as a historic memory of the 400th anniversary celebrations of Quebec City, the 49th International Eucharistic Congress, and the jubilee year of François-de-Laval, commemorating the 300th anniversary of his death and the 350th of his ordination as Bishop.
The Eucharistic Festival was also “kicked-off.” The event will last until June 21 and offers, among other things, the possibility of listening to great witnesses to the faith, at the Eucharistic City and in various parishes, in addition to conferences, shows, expositions, etc.
Every afternoon, there are workshops where about 600 people, appointed by the delegation of their city of precedence, work on studying the pastoral aspects that can be drawn from the teachings and testimonies heard during the morning. Their reflections will serve as the basis for the publication of the Congressional Events, a document that will contain the practical recommendations for the pastoral activity of the Universal Church. In addition, the conferences also offer various activities with a missionary commitment, that allow pilgrims to live the concrete relationship between the Eucharist and commitment, either as volunteer workers with the needy or in evangelization activities in the city.
On June 18, with the day’s theme of: “The Eucharist Builds up the Church,” the pilgrims were invited to live an experience of fraternal communion and cultural exchange. Some Christian communities from the Diocese of Quebec City held a fraternal banquet, as a sign of unity, accompanied by a time of Marian prayer.
On June 19, there was a Eucharistic Procession, attended by 15,000 people. During the 5.1 km march—which included activities, prayers, songs, and cheers—participants demonstrated the people’s faith in their Lord, offering love for love. The procession, which began at 7 p.m. at Colisée Pepsi, stopped at two highly symbolic locations before ending at the Agora in the Old Port. The first stop was at the Saint-François-D’Assise Church, which was the final stop of the procession organized by Jacques Cartier in 1535 to ask the Virgin for help to heal his crew of scurvy. The second stop was at Notre-Dame de Saint-Roch Church, where many sick and disabled people were gathered. As well, on this day, the ExpoCite was transformed into a vast city of forgiveness for four hours. Priests were available to welcome those who wished to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/6/2008)
