Parishes all over Ireland are preparing to send representatives to
the National Eucharistic Congress in Knock next weekend (25th June).
The congress begins at 11.00am with Morning prayer, and includes
workshops, Mass and the sacraments of Anointing and Reconciliation.
“The celebration in Knock is a chance to focus on the local community
and the pastoral preparation in Ireland for the International Congress
next year,” said the Irish bishops in a statement released earlier this
week.
The International Congress is not just a once-off week of
events in 2012, they said, but a “journey of renewal for all of us.
This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that we are part of something
bigger than ourselves and to do something together – in communion – as
one body.”
Thousands of people from parishes all over the country are expected
to travel to Knock to take part in the national congress , which will
feature special events, workshops, celebrations and prayer.
The Knock
Youth Festival, which draws hundreds of young adults each year, is also
running at the same time as the National Eucharistic Congress.
Fr Kieran
O’Mahony, Journalist Rosemarie Swords, Prof Robert Enright and Prof Tom
Norris will be the main speakers at the National Eucharistic Congress.
Meanwhile this weekend parishes all over Ireland are taking up
collections to help with the costs of the Eucharistic congress which
will attract tens of thousands of pilgrims, many from abroad.
This is the Catholic Church’s 50th Eucharistic congress.
The last time Ireland hosted the event was in 1932.
In
their statement, the bishops said the Church in Ireland was now on a
one year countdown to the big event which offers the possibility for
renewal for the whole Church.
“Catechetical and pastoral programmes are already underway in
parishes and religious communities across the country,” they added.The
theme of next year’s congress is: “The Eucharist: Communion with Christ
and with one another”.
The bishops did not comment on rumours that Pope Benedict himself
might visit Ireland during the Eucharistic congress next June.
However
they invited Catholics across the country to take part in a 60 hour
Eucharistic Adoration period in or around 1st July, asking for “the
sanctification of the clergy” and for new vocations to the priesthood.
As Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the 60th anniversary of his ordination
to the priesthood on 29th June (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul), the
bishops have suggested, that the faithful, might pray in a special way
for him, and give thanks for his "priestly ministry".
For further details on next weekend’s congress, or to register for the International one, log onto: www.iec2012.ie