This coming January 2016, the 51st International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Cebu, drawing pilgrims and devotees from all over the country—and the world.
Only four months are left before that much-heralded religious event unfolds in all its significance and depth of faith and insight, so it’s time for would-be participants to finalize their plans to join by contacting their parish office.
Among the main highlights of the key religious event is the series of insightful talks that will be delivered by acclaimed theologians and church leaders in the course of the Congress. Among the not-to-be-missed sharings are those of Rev. Fr. Robert Barron and His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan.
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Father Barron is an auxillary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the founder of Fire Catholic Ministries and host of “Catholicism,” an award-winning documentary about the Catholic faith.
Cardinal Dolan is archbishop of New York, a charismatic speaker cited by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Barron will talk on the celebration of the paschal mystery of the Eucharist, as well as on Christ in the youth, while Cardinal Dolan’s assigned topic is “The Eucharist and Mary.”
For his part, Rev. Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, is the president of the Chicago Theological Union and will share his thoughts on the relationship between liturgy and culture.
Fr. Francis Moloney, SDB, has written 50 books and will talk on the Eucharist in the gospel of St. John and the Eucharist as “The Christian Hope in the Secularizing World.”
John Cardinal Onaiyekan’s assigned topic is “The Eucharist Dialogue with the Poor and Suffering.” Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP, is known for promoting social justice and human rights, and will share his insights on “The Christian Virtue of Hope.”
Other speakers include: Fr. Thomas Rosica on “Evangelizing a Secular World”; Dr. Josefina Manabat on “The Eucharist: Cup of Sacrifice, Banquet at the Kingdom”; Bishop Miguel Vidarte; Fr. Paul Vu; Archbishop Piero Marini; Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, and Filipino cardinals, Orlando Quevedo and Luis Antonio Tagle.
With these and other acclaimed speakers “prismatically” enlightening Congress participants about the essence and gifts of the Eucharist, the much-awaited meeting of hearts and minds this January is shaping up as a not-to-be-missed spiritual encounter.