AMERICA/BRAZIL - “He is with Us” theme of 15th National Eucharistic Congress 17 to 21 May which will include a great youth rally

Florianópolis (Fides Service) - The archdiocese of Florianópolis in Brazil will host the country’s 15th National Eucharistic Congress 17 to 21 May on the theme "He is with Us” and the slogan "Come and See!". In view of the Congress Pope Benedict XVI consented to a petition made by Cardinal Agnelo Geraldo Majella, Archbishop of Sao Salvatore di Baia and President of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference, to prolong the Year of the Eucharist in Brazil until 21 May 2006, because of the National Eucharistic Congress.
The Congress will open with a vigil of Adoration in the evening of 17 May, and a solemn Mass and procession with the Blessed Sacrament the next morning presided by special envoy of Pope Benedict XVI Cardinal Eusebio Óscar Scheid archbishop of Rio de Janeiro. The daily programme will include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 7am to 6pm and a theological symposium in the morning. The Congress will close on Sunday 21 May with a concelebrated Mass at Orlando Scarpelli Sports Ground.
The Congress will include a youth rally presided by Archbishop Alberto Taveira of the diocese of Palmas, with prayers, hymns and testimony...to encourage young people to show their devotion to the Eucharist. Many of the young people have been confirmed this year or are preparing to do so. The participants will reach the stadium walking in procession with the Blessed Sacrament. The rally will begin with spectacle of music and testimony and conclude with the Celebration of Mass.
Five cardinals have confirmed their presence at the Congress Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, Cardinal Eugênio Sales, Cardinal Eusébio Óscar Scheid, Cardinal Agnelo Geraldo Macella, Cardinal Serafim Fernandes de Araújo and at least 200 archbishops and bishops (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2006; righe 26, parole 346)