The gift of the Eucharist helps us to become the body of Christ for others, Pope Francis said in a video message sent to the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress in Quito, Ecuador, on the occasion of the Opening Mass.

“The sign of bread,” the Pope said, “kindles in the People of God the desire for fraternity, for just as bread cannot be kneaded from a single grain, so too must we walk together, for ‘though we are many, we are one body, one bread.’”

Commemorating 150 Years of Ecuador's Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The 53rd International Eucharistic Congress took place in Quito, Ecuador, from September 8 to the 15, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the country’s consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Over 20,000 people attended the congress from at least 40 countries around the world. More than 1,500 children made their first Communion during the opening Mass. The theme of the 2024 international congress is “Fraternity to Heal the World.”

The Opening Mass: A Special Day for First Communicants

The Opening Mass was presided over by the Archbishop of Quito and Primate of Ecuador, Monsignor Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus, who during his homily assured the children that this was “a day of celebration, a great day in their lives.”

The Archbishop continued, “This memory will remain engraved in their hearts for a lifetime, and they will be able to say with certainty that they are the 'Eucharistic missionaries' of our Church in Quito and grow knowing that they are called to build Fraternity, beginning in their own families.”

Eucharistic Missionaries: A Call to Build Fraternity

The International Eucharistic Congress in Quito serves as a profound reminder of the role of fraternity in healing the world, beginning with the young participants who are now "Eucharistic missionaries" for the Church.

Adapted by Jacob Stein