Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quebec City (Agenzia Fides) – In a statement on the International Eucharistic Congress (CEI 2008) celebrated in Quebec, which ended June 22, Cardinal Marc Ouellet gave a highly positive evaluation of the event, saying that it had been a great success and had “marked Quebec’s history.”
A total of 7,891 laymen, 326 pastoral agents, 55 archbishops, 17 canons, 157 deacons, 218 bishops, 61 novices, 863 diocesan priests, 1,271 women religious, 149 religious brothers, 392 religious priests and 175 seminarians were registered in attendance of the event. The participation surpassed all expectations. The number of participants registered as pilgrims numbered 11,611. The average daily attendance of all the events was 12,500, 68% of whom were Canadians, 5,000 being from the province of Quebec and 2,500 from the local diocese itself. Seventy countries were represented: 20 from America, 22 from Europe, 19 from Africa, 10 from Asia and three from Oceania. The families in the diocese hosted 5,000 pilgrims and 1,000 families participated as volunteers in the congress.
The larger events celebrated during the congress attracted numerous crowds. For example, the daily number of visitors to the Eucharistic City (ExpoCite) was 20,000. Within the most attended events was the Eucharistic Procession, in which 20,000 people participated and the Closing Mass in which the Holy Father gave the homily via satellite, which was attended by 60,000 people.
Upon the expressed wish of the President of the CEI 2008, Cardinal Ouellet, media coverage of the event was made available on the website of the Catholic Church in Quebec ECDQ.tv and media representatives from over 15 countries were present, enabling people from all over the globe to follow the Congress.
It is without a doubt that this event has been a success thanks to the help of all those who gave of their time and talents in order to carry it out. The Cardinal expresses his immense gratitude to all those who have participated, especially to the volunteers “who knew how to demonstrate our international guests the warm welcome of the people of Quebec,” as well as the speakers and the various organizations that have participated in one way or another.
The first International Eucharistic Congress, celebrated in France in 1881, was attended by 300 people, leaders of Eucharistic activities in European countries. Over the following 125 years, the format of the congresses has quite evolved, now bringing together between 12,000-15,000 people for a week of celebrations, adoration, catechesis, cultural events, fraternal encounters, and services to those most in need. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/7/2008)
