Eucharistic Congress 2012
There are some events in life that happen regularly and others that come around just once in a lifetime, and the forth coming International Eucharistic Congress is one such event - unless of course you were around for the event in 1932!
An International Eucharistic Congress is a week-long event at which people come together, from all parts of the world, to deepen their understanding of the presence of Christ in our midst; we may reflect on, and perhaps embrace anew, the kind of lifestyle that the Word of God and the Eucharist inspire.
There is an International Eucharistic Congress held once every four years, and Ireland has been chosen to host the next one, which is the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. When Pope Benedict XVI announced this he said, "I take this opportunity to greet warmly the people of Ireland as they prepare to host this ecclesial gathering. I am confident that they, together with all the participants at the next Congress, will find it a source of lasting spiritual renewal". Whilst the final week of events will take place in Dublin, June 10 - 17 2012, we begin our preparations now.There are many things to prepare, but at the top of the list is the preparation of our minds and hearts, not just for that week-long event, but for the gift of God's grace that this time of preparation offers us. It is truly as though the Lord has joined us on the road of life - just as He did when He found the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He joined them in their walk, listened to their story and lifted their downcast hearts with His Word: He broke bread with them and renewed their hope and faith which inspired what happened next in their story - restoring them to communion with Himself and with the other members of the community of faith (Luke 24:13-35). We too need to rediscover the meaning of Jesus' presence among us so that we can renew the communion with one another which has been so fractured. Jesus Himself will be our teacher. This is what Eucharistic Congress is about and it must be a journey rather than an event. Indeed how appropriate to our needs is the theme approved by Pope Benedict: The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another.
Why not take part in this time of grace? There are many ways to get involved: participate in the events in your parish, visit your diocese's website www.dioceseofmeath.ie and find out what is going on in your locality. Visit the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) website www.iec2012 and read the variety of articles prepared for each of the four Stages of the journey.
Congress Prayer
Lord Jesus, You were sent by the Father to gather together those who were scattered.
You came among us, doing good and bringing healing, announcing the Word of salvation and giving the Bread which lasts forever. Be our companion on life's pilgrim way.
May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts, enlighten our hope and open our minds,
So that together with our sisters and brothers in faith we may recognise you in the Scriptures and in the breaking of bread.
May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body and lead us to walk humbly on the earth, in justice and love, as witnesses of your resurrection.
In communion with Mary, whom you gave to us as our Mother at the foot of the cross, through you may all praise, honour and blessing be to the Father in the Holy Spirit and in the Church, Now and forever. Amen
May this time be the beginning of a new springtime of faith for all, renewed in communion with Christ and with one another.
An International Eucharistic Congress is a week-long event at which people come together, from all parts of the world, to deepen their understanding of the presence of Christ in our midst; we may reflect on, and perhaps embrace anew, the kind of lifestyle that the Word of God and the Eucharist inspire.
There is an International Eucharistic Congress held once every four years, and Ireland has been chosen to host the next one, which is the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. When Pope Benedict XVI announced this he said, "I take this opportunity to greet warmly the people of Ireland as they prepare to host this ecclesial gathering. I am confident that they, together with all the participants at the next Congress, will find it a source of lasting spiritual renewal". Whilst the final week of events will take place in Dublin, June 10 - 17 2012, we begin our preparations now.There are many things to prepare, but at the top of the list is the preparation of our minds and hearts, not just for that week-long event, but for the gift of God's grace that this time of preparation offers us. It is truly as though the Lord has joined us on the road of life - just as He did when He found the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He joined them in their walk, listened to their story and lifted their downcast hearts with His Word: He broke bread with them and renewed their hope and faith which inspired what happened next in their story - restoring them to communion with Himself and with the other members of the community of faith (Luke 24:13-35). We too need to rediscover the meaning of Jesus' presence among us so that we can renew the communion with one another which has been so fractured. Jesus Himself will be our teacher. This is what Eucharistic Congress is about and it must be a journey rather than an event. Indeed how appropriate to our needs is the theme approved by Pope Benedict: The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another.
Why not take part in this time of grace? There are many ways to get involved: participate in the events in your parish, visit your diocese's website www.dioceseofmeath.ie and find out what is going on in your locality. Visit the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) website www.iec2012 and read the variety of articles prepared for each of the four Stages of the journey.
Congress Prayer
Lord Jesus, You were sent by the Father to gather together those who were scattered.
You came among us, doing good and bringing healing, announcing the Word of salvation and giving the Bread which lasts forever. Be our companion on life's pilgrim way.
May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts, enlighten our hope and open our minds,
So that together with our sisters and brothers in faith we may recognise you in the Scriptures and in the breaking of bread.
May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body and lead us to walk humbly on the earth, in justice and love, as witnesses of your resurrection.
In communion with Mary, whom you gave to us as our Mother at the foot of the cross, through you may all praise, honour and blessing be to the Father in the Holy Spirit and in the Church, Now and forever. Amen
May this time be the beginning of a new springtime of faith for all, renewed in communion with Christ and with one another.
