Since Pope Benedict XVI announced that the 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin in June 2012, people have been asking "what exactly is a Eucharistic Congress and what is its purpose?"

A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to:

• promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church
  
  
• help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy
  
  
• draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

These aims are achieved through a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops over a number of days every four years. The most recent Congress was held in Quebec in 2008 and was a source of renewal for the many thousands to took part.

Most people in Ireland are familiar with the fact that a Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland in 1932.

Our parents and grand-parents speak of it as a significant event in their own experience of Church. Some pupils in secondary school have undertaken special history projects on the Eucharistic Congress in preparation for their Leaving Certificate.

Improvements in travel since 1932 will provide a greater international perspective to the 2012 Congress. Technology will play an important part too in preparations but the most valuable aspect of the coming years is the sense of faith which can be kindled in the families and in every parish throughout the country.

Go n-éirí go geal linn, le cúnamh Dé.

 

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IEC 2012 Office, Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe Road, Dublin 3, Ireland