With less than a month to go until the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress in Quito, Ecuador, the event’s secretary-general said it will be an opportunity to “put the Eucharistic Christ at the centre of the life of the Church and the world”. Source: CNA.
Fr Juan Carlos Garzón said IEC 2024 will be “like returning to the essence of our faith”.
Ecuador was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 150 years ago, the priest noted, so the Eucharistic Congress will also be a great opportunity for the country to commemorate that event and delve deeper into its history of faith.
Fifty-one delegations from around the world have already registered to participate in the IEC 2024 program, which will begin with a four-day international theological symposium at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, beginning September 4.
“Theologians from all over the world are coming to explore more deeply the relationship between the Eucharist and fraternity, given that the theme of our Eucharistic Congress is ‘Fraternity to Heal the World,’” the secretary-general said.
After the symposium, IEC 2024 will formally begin on September 8. On that day, 1600 children will make their first Communion. For Fr Garzón, this will be a reminder of the purity with which we must receive the Lord in the Eucharist, “which can sometimes be lost over the years.”
“These children remind us of the purity that is part of this relationship with God,” he added.
Nearly 5000 people will be present at the congress, including bishops, laypeople and religious, who will give their witness to fraternity.
The closing Mass, on September 15, will be celebrated by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who will represent the Pope during IEC 2024.
Details: IEC2024 website.
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International Eucharistic Congress to put Christ at the centre of the life of the world (By Andrés Henríquez, CNA)
