SEATED, FROM LEFT: Archbishop Jose Palma, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, and Bishop Antonieto Cabajog. Standing: Msgr. Chibuike Onyeaghala, Elvira Yap Go, Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, SJ and Fr. Miguel Garcia, SSS.
The 51st International Eucharistic Congress will be held from Jan. 24 to 31, 2016 in Cebu City, Philippines—a great way to start the year for Filipino Catholics that many devotees are preparing for this early with a number of evangelizing and fundraising events.
Elvira Yap Go, the chair of the Congress’ Committee on Promotions and Publicity, has a full schedule of trips all over the country and abroad to inform devotees about the key spiritual event’s highlights and thematic points, as well as to help raise the many millions of pesos needed to mount and fund such a major gathering of the faithful, which will draw many participants from all over the world.
The Congress’ primer handily shares that it seeks “to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, as well as to improve the understanding and celebration of the liturgy and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.”
The Eucharistic Congress takes place only once every four years. Highlights include the daily celebration of the Eucharist, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic processions, cultural events, catechesis, testimonies and workshops and theological symposia.
Before the Congress, a three-day (Jan. 20-22, 2016) symposium features Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP on “The Christian Virtue of Hope,” Fr. Francis Moloney, SDB on “The Gospel of John and the Eucharist,” Fr. Mark Francis, CSV on “Liturgy and Inculturation,” Rev. Piero Marini, DD on “A History of the Novus Ordo,” Fr. Thomas Rosica on “Evangelizing A Secular World,” and Dr. Josefina Manabat, SLD on “A Catechesis on the Sunday Eucharist.”
There will also be concurrent sessions on these specific theme: The Eucharist as source and goal of the Church’s mission; its mission in Asia; dialogues with cultures, with religions and religious traditions, with the poor and marginalized, with the youth; and on Mary and the Eucharist.
The fundraising drive to mount the Congress is paced by Piso Para sa Misa ng Mundo, a major campaign that involves many volunteers and donors. Whatever amount is given, big or small, is valuable, since generosity is of great value, because “God loves a cheerful giver.”
It is most important to participate in the campaign, because the Eucharist as sharing is connected with sacrifice, service, solidarity and spirituality in the Christian life.
The Congress proper starting on Jan. 24 next year features catechesis and testimony sessions for delegates in the morning, followed in the afternoon by concurrent sessions, during which key thematic topics will be addressed: “Christ in you, our Hope of Glory” by Fr. Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, OFM; “The Eucharist: Celebration of the Paschal Mystery by Rev. Fr. Robert Barron; “The Eucharist as Mission, Mission as Dialogue” by Rev. Thomas Menamparam-pil, SDB; “The Eucharist and the Dialogue with Cultures” by His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle; “The Eucharist: Dialogue with the Poor and the Suffering” by His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, and “The Eucharist and Mary” by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan.
Other key activities include Parish Encounter, Deaf Tracks, penitential services, visita iglesia, overnight vigil at Cebu’s Plaza Independencia, Eucharistic procession, Sinulog presentation at the Cebu City Sports Center, and key events specifically for the youth.
To participate, contact www.iec2016.ph. Make the 2016 Eucharistic Congress a transformative event in your life!