Prepared by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (USA)
Secretariat for the Liturgy and
Secretariat for the Third Millennium and Jubilee Year 2000

1. What is a Eucharistic Congress?

A Eucharistic Congress is "a kind of station to which an individual church invites other churches of a single region or nation or even of the entire world." (1) At a Eucharistic Congress "the members of the Church join in the deepest profession of some aspect of the Eucharistic mystery and express their worship publicly in the bond of charity and unity." (2)

2. Who may convoke a Eucharistic Congress?

Just as the Holy Father has convoked an International Eucharistic Congress in his Diocese of Rome for June 18-25, 2000, so bishops may convoke congresses in their individual dioceses or regions as they see fit. One of the goals encouraged by the President of the Pontifical Committee for the Eucharistic Congress is the celebration of national, diocesan, inter-diocesan and parochial Eucharistic Congresses which possibly include an ecumenical and inter-religious dimension. (Letter of Cardinal Gagnon, President of the Pontifical Committee for the Eucharistic Congress to Presidents of Episcopal Conferences, September 19, 1998).

3. What needs to be studied in preparation for a Eucharistic Congress?

Holy Communion and Eucharistic Worship Outside Mass is the section of the Roman Ritual which best answers this question. This rite calls for a careful review of how the Eucharistic mystery might best be celebrated and studied by "specialists in theological, biblical, liturgical pastoral and humane studies..." (3)

4. What are the essential components of every Eucharistic Congress?
Each Eucharistic Congress should first have a catechetical aspect, seeking to study and explore the Eucharistic Mystery. Equally important is the encouragement by experience and teaching of that "full, conscious and active participation which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy". (4) Finally, the aspect of mission must be emphasized, by which the Eucharistic celebration lead us "to the various works of charity, mutual help,...and missionary activity and the various forms of Christian witness." (5)

5. What activities go to make up a Eucharistic Congress?

At the heart of every Eucharistic Congress is the celebration of the Eucharist itself, the source and summit of the entire Christian life. (6) Celebrations of the Word of God and conferences can help to explore the various aspects of the Eucharistic Mystery suggested by the theme of the Congress. Opportunities for common prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in designated churches support an interiorization of these themes. Finally, Eucharistic Processions can help to give a public and ritual dimension to the Eucharistic faith which has been celebrated, studied and reaffirmed in the course of the Congress. (7)

6. How can we foster the active participation of the faithful at the Mass celebrated at a Eucharistic Congress?

A period of preparation by participants in the Eucharistic Congress could be arranged, including a long term study of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal ( 1975) and the Order of Mass. The point of such a study would be to foster a deeper appreciation of the spiritual meanings of the various parts of the Mass and the consummate importance of the participation of all present in the Eucharistic sacrifice. Diocesan offices for worship can be particularly helpful in the development of such studies, as can doctrinal experts and those charged by the bishop with oversight of doctrinal and catechetical ministries.

7. Where might one start to seek themes or study documents to form the basis of conferences or study groups?

Five documents in particular provide a wealth of material for exploration during a Eucharistic Congress: Eucharisticum Mysterium (1967), Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (1973), Apostolic Letter Dominicae Caenae (1980) and the Apostolic Letter Dies Domini (1998).

8. What about Eucharistic Processions?

The norms prescribed for Eucharistic Processions in the ritual book Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, chapter three, part three, should be carefully studied and observed.

9. How long does a Eucharistic Congress last?

Depending on the needs, resources and circumstances of each Diocese, a Eucharistic Congress may take place in one day or extend over a number of days. Several dioceses might join together for a common celebration in the interest of better utilizing limited resources.

10. How might a two-day Congress be structured?

A sample schedule for such a Congress might look something like this:

DAY ONE

Morning - Morning Masses throughout the Dioceses are celebrated for the intention of the Eucharistic Congress. Conferences follow Mass in each parish by which the parish priest presents the theme of the Congress with discussion questions and resources previously provided by the planning committee. Conferences by major speakers are presented in several locations throughout the diocese on an aspect of the Congress theme. Sessions could be linked by tele-conference and could follow a number of different forms of presentation. Each of the conferences might appropriately begin with the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Afternoon-A second set of conferences on another aspect of the Congress theme. Morning and afternoon conferences would take place in a variety of settings: schools, colleges, work places or parishes for groups of parents, catechists, scholars, pastors, pastoral workers, and others.

Evening-Concelebrated Mass with the Bishop accompanied by his priests, deacons and a large gathering of the faithful. Significant resources should be expended for such a Mass in order that it might provide an exemplary experience of a Eucharistic Celebration encouraging the active participation of the entire community. The Bishop's homily might appropriately center on the aspect of the Eucharistic mystery accented by the Eucharistic Congress. After Mass, and throughout the night, adoration of the Eucharist might appropriately be encouraged in the cathedral or some other suitable church. The rites found in the ritual book Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass should be closely followed.

DAY TWO

Day two could follow a schedule similar to the first day. Alternately, a series of parish-centered workshops could be held. If the second day occurs on a weekend or holiday, a series of optional over-lapping workshops such as might be sponsored at a Diocesan Congress might be held in one or several locations. Emphasis could appropriately be placed on involving as many people as possible from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds in the experience of the Eucharistic Congress.

Especially if the second day occurs on a weekend or holiday, a solemn stational Mass might be celebrated in late afternoon, followed by a Eucharistic Procession to the cathedral or some other Church. There, benediction could be celebrated and a final homily be preached by the Bishop. The Eucharistic Congress should conclude with the Mass, a festive celebration or Night Prayer celebrated later in the evening.

11. How might a one-day Congress be structured?

A one-day Congress could follow the same structure as the first day noted above, but conclude with the same structure as in the evening of day two. Alternately, elements could be freely combined in whatever order or sequence would best meet local pastoral needs.

12. Does each Eucharistic Congress have to look the same?

No. A Eucharistic Congress will be developed by a Bishop in consultation with pastors and other specialists to meet the particular needs and in utilization of the particular resources of each diocese or region. While the common elements and activities described in numbers four and five should be carefully considered, the development of the theme and a unique particular structure will be suggested to the Bishop by the local planning committee.

13. What sorts of themes might be considered for a Eucharistic Congress?

The theme of the International Eucharistic Congress (Jesus Christ: The Only Savior of the World, Bread for New Life) could be chosen, or one of the following themes drawn from the first chapter of the 1973 Instruction Eucharisticum Mysterium might be considered. The themes listed below might be used as the subjects for workshops or seminars presented during the Congress. Many other themes might be drawn from other conciliar and post-conciliar documents, the liturgical books themselves or the teachings of the popes on the Eucharist.

The Eucharistic Mystery: Center of the Christian Life (See Eucharisticum Mysterium 6.)
The Eucharist: Center of the Local Church (See EM 7.)
The Eucharist: Unity of Christians (See EM 8.)
Christ Present: Really and Today (See EM 9.)
Word and Eucharist: the Sacrifice of Praise (See EM 10.)
The Eucharist and the Priesthood of Christ (See EM 11.)
Active Participation: Inner Affections and Outward Rites (See EM 12.)
Eucharistic and Daily Life of the Faithful (See EM 13.)
Eucharist and Children (See EM 14.)
The Eucharist and the Order of Mass (See EM 15.)
Endnotes

(1) Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCWEOM) 109.
(2) HCWEOM 109.
(3) HCWEOM 110.
(4) Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC) 14.
(5) Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, Presbyterorum Ordinis 6; See HCWEOM 111.
(6) See SC 10.
(7) See HCWEOM 112.