VATICAN - “How much need modern humanity has to rediscover the source of its hope in the Sacrament of the Eucharist!” Pope Benedict XVI receives participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses.

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - This morning, 9 November the Pope Benedict XVI received participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. In his address to the delegates, the Pope first recalled how they are currently preparing the 49th International Eucharistic Congress, due to be held in Quebec, Canada, in June 2008. Eucharistic congresses, he went on, "are always a source of spiritual renewal, an occasion to make better known the Blessed Eucharist, which was the most valuable treasure Jesus left us. They also constitute an encouragement for the Church to spread the love of Christ at all levels of society, and to testify to it without hesitation".
Benedict XVI said every Eucharistic Congress is an opportunity to recall "the Eucharist gift of God for the life of the world", as the basic text for the Congress affirms… In those days the Catholic world will set the eyes of the heart on the supreme mystery of the Eucharist to draw from it new apostolic and missionary impulse”. The Pope thanked those who are working “to help the faithful on every continent be ever more aware of the importance of the Eucharist in our life” and he added “how beneficial the rediscovery of Eucharistic adoration by many Christians”, mentioning lived by young people in Cologne on the occasion of World Youth Day, and with first Holy Communion in St Peter’s Square. “How much need modern humanity has to rediscover the source of its hope in the Sacrament of the Eucharist! - the Pope said -. I thank the Lord because many parishes, alongside the devout celebration of Mass, are educating the faithful in Eucharistic adoration. And it is my hope that - also in view of the next International Eucharistic Congress - this practice will become ever more widespread”.
The Pope concluded referring to the forthcoming post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist, which will bring together the indications that arose during the October 2005 Synod on that Sacrament, the Pope concluded by giving assurances that the document "will help the Church to prepare and celebrate with deep devotion the Eucharistic congress to be held in June 2008.. I entrust it from now on to the Blessed Virgin Mary, first and matchless adorer of Christ…”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2006 - Righe 28, parole 378)