Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guadalajara (Fides Service) - The second day of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress 12 October focused on the theme “The Eucharist viaticum for the journey accompanies our pilgrimage”. The day began with a pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Zapopan. Some three million people walked 7.5 kilometres from Guadalajara cathedral to the Basilica of Zapopan singing and praying to take part in an open air Mass in Plaza de las Americas. The Mass was presided by Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara. In his homily the Cardinal urged those present to let themselves be converted by the Eucharist so as not to be drawn by the current of today’s secularised and hedonist world oriented only to material goods, because the ultimate destiny of humanity cannot be changed by those who think they can take hold of the consciences of children, young people and adults and make them weak so they can be manipulated and are unable to discern between good and evil”.
In the afternoon people were free to attend sessions of catechesis held in various language sites while some cardinals and bishops took time to visit prisons and hospitals to encourage the sick and those in prison to unite their suffering with those of the Redeemer for the salvation of the world. Sessions of in-depth reflection on the Mystery of the Eucharist had been held in hospitals and prisons in preparation for the important visits. Father Olegario Corona, Co-ordinator of Pastoral of Reconciliation said that permanent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament had been organised in prisons, male and female from 25 August to October 9. An average of 250 people took it in turns to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and that since this experience the prisoners decided to hold a daily hour of silence for meditation. Visiting the Social Rehabilitation Centre Bishop Czeslaw Kozon said: “These sorts of visits are truly part of the Congress. In fact we must adore Christ present in the sick and the suffering, not only in the Consecrated Host of Beard”.
Cardinal Carlos Amigo Vallejo, Archbishop of Seville, who visited Fra Antonio Alcalde Hospital said that the Eucharist is highly significant in a hospital among people whose suffering reflects the suffering of the crucified Jesus. For his part the director of the hospital Jaime Agustin welcome the important visitor and said “the sick need spiritual bread even more than medicine”.
In the evening in 14 centres in the archdiocese of Guadalajara thousands of congress participants and parishioners took part in Living Rosary celebrations in which prayers and mediation is helped with a theatrical representation of the mystery. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2004; Righe 35; Parole 486)
