Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quebec (Fides Service) - Preparations have started for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Quebec (Canada) in two year’s time, 15 - 22 June 2008. The archdiocese of Quebec is opening an information web site for the event in French, English, German, Italian and Spanish. In a letter about the event Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec who is president of the organising committee, says “the Eucharistic Congress in 2008, entrusted to us by beloved Pope John Paul II on 17 October 2004, will be an opportunity for the Catholics of the world to celebrate their faith in the Eucharist and bear witness to the Gospel living moments of prayer, reflection and brotherhood”.
The Congress will coincide with the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Quebec, which was also the first Catholic diocese north of Mexico. Anniversary celebration events, civic and religious will make the year very special. The religious events will be the most important because the Catholic Church in Canada has always played an essential role in the life of the country. The theme of the congress is “Eucharist, God’s Gift for the Life of the World”. The Logo is a cross set over the Host separating it in four parts to underline that Eucharist is sharing and also to refer to the four cardinal points of the world, North South East West. The logo background has traces of a boat symbol of the universal Church and also of Quebec because the faith reached the city via St Lawrence river. The colours used are yellow for the bread and red for the wine. In the design the chalice and patena become one to signify God’s great gift of communion, the Eucharist. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 23/1/2006 - righe 20, parole 303)
