In a 2017 General Audience, Pope Francis said: “The Eucharist is a wondrous event in which Jesus Christ, our life, makes himself present.”

Lumen Gentium, one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council, along with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, unequivocally states that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” All other sacraments are oriented towards it.  

In Rome, there is a Vatican Office that exists specifically to promote the Eucharist by organizing Congresses worldwide. Fr. Corrado Maggioni, President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, explains to us why:

“Every four years, we organize an international Eucharistic congress. The faithful from all over the world jointly experience the celebration of the Eucharistic mystery. Together, they reflect on the meaning that the Eucharist has for the people of God, not only in the host country but for the Church in all countries.”

Founded in 1879 by Pope Leo XIII, the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses aims to deepen the global appreciation and devotion to Our Lord Jesus Christ in His Eucharistic Mystery. 

Fr. Corrado highlights the congress’s foundational goal: transcending national boundaries to unite believers worldwide in communion with Christ. “The Eucharist,” he said, “builds the Church, forms the Church, grows the Church, and the Church is formed of brothers in Christ with Christ for Christ. So, the theme of fraternity is fraternity as a path, vocation to heal the wounds of the world.  What Christ has done, He has done to heal humanity, the divisions of humanity first with God, but also man with man.”

Set under the theme "Fraternity to Heal the World. You are all brothers," the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) will take place this year in Quito, Ecuador, from September 8th to the 15th. Fr. Livingston Olivares from Quito, actively involved in the event's promotion, emphasizes the congress as a pivotal opportunity for faith revival in the country amidst Latin America's complex political climate.  

Fr. Olivares, President of the Communications Commission for IEC, said, “It’s necessary to understand the importance of the Eucharist, because it is the Lord who waits for us. He tells us in his Word: ‘Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.’”

Father continued, “It has been a time of fatigue, for all of the social, political, and economic unrest, the natural disasters: but there is Jesus, the Eucharist, that remains. Where there is a priest, the Eucharist is there. So, I’d like to invite all of our brothers and sisters who follow us by way of the communications media, of this prestigious channel as well, that they might come close to the Eucharist, where we can encounter God in prayer.”

Looking ahead to September, we can draw insights from the last Eucharistic Congress held in 2021 in Budapest. EWTN reported on the ground, witnessing the atmosphere of reconciliation, joy, and peace surrounding the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  

The International Eucharistic Congress offered the faithful an opportunity to hear from global Church leaders as they unveiled the profound beauty and mystery of the Eucharist.  

Retired Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, Cardinal John Onaiyekan spoke to the mystery of the Eucharist, humbly testifying, “I must say, even Cardinal Onaiyekan does not understand how the bread in my hand becomes the blood and body of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, I believe it, yes. That's the point. I believe it and the belief I have is a gift of God.”

This summer, the 10th National Eucharistic Congress will be held in Indianapolis in the United States from July 17th to the 21st. It will be the first National Eucharistic Congress held in the United States in 83 years.  

The Holy Father met the organizers of the National Eucharistic Congress last summer and encouraged them to continue their efforts to contribute to a revival of faith in and love for the Holy Eucharist, the “source and summit of the Christian life.”

Throughout his papacy, the Holy Father has continually reminded the faithful of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

In one such instance, Pope Francis said, “When you go to Mass, the Lord is there! You may get distracted. But it is the Lord! We have to remind ourselves. ‘Father, it’s that the Masses are dull’ — ‘But what are you saying, that the Lord is dull?’ — ‘No, no. Not the Mass, the priests.’ — ‘Ah, may the priests convert, but it is the Lord who is there!’ Do you understand? Do not forget it. Participating in Mass is living again the redemptive passion and death of Our Lord.”

Adapted by Jacob Stein

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