Quebec, Canada Set to Host 'The International Eucharistic Congress - 2008'

Gerry D’Mello, Bendur
for Daijiworld Media Network, Canada

Canada, Jun 8: The 49th International Eucharistic Congress 2008 will be held at Quebec, Canada, the oldest Catholic Diocese in North America, from 15th June to 22nd June 2008. This mega event will coincide with the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Quebec. An International Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of the Universal Church spread all over the globe to celebrate the live presence of Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. On 17th October 2004 (late) Pope John Paul II had entrusted the International Eucharistic Congress 2008 to the Quebec Diocese. Since then immense preparations have taken place to celebrate the event in a fitting manner. Only one other International Eucharistic Congress has taken place in Canada at Montreal in the year 1910.

SALIENT INFORMATIONS:

• The President of the Organizing Committee for the International Eucharistic Congress 2008 at Quebec is the Archbishop of Quebec, Cardinal Marc Quellet.
• The Organizing Committee consists of 80 Bishops, Clergy representative of Catholic Organizations representatives of other Christian Churches taking care of the responsibilities at local, regional, national and international levels.
• The theme of the Int. Euch. Congress 2008 is “The Eucharist, the gift of God for       the life of the world.”
• The Logo is a Cross set over the Host separating in four parts to symbolize that the Eucharist is something to be shared and also refers to the four cardinal points of the world: East, West, North and South. The logo background has traces of a boat symbolizing the Universal Church and also Quebec because the Catholic Faith reached the city via St. Lawrence River. The colours used are brown for the Bread and red for the Wine.  In the design the Chalice and Paten become one to signify great gift of communion, the Eucharist.
• The expected crowd is100,000 plus, 15,000 delegates, 50 Cardinals from 60 countries. Pope Benedict XVI will not be personally attending the Congress but will send a personal representative. The Holy Father plans to play a part in the Congress via television uplink.
• The main venue will be the Quebec city’s fair grounds “ExpoCity” which will be named “Eucharistic City” for the occasion.
• The Congress will culminate with a mammoth gathering of Faithfuls with an  outdoor Mass on the historic plains of Abraham on 22nd June,2008.

On each day of the Congress there will be a Solemn Eucharistic liturgy which will be the main focus of the event. Then on various days there will be Adorations, Workshops, Informations, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Quebec, etc. according to the Programme.