Thousands of Catholics crowded Quebec's historic Plains of Abraham Sunday to celebrate an open-air mass with Pope Benedict, who delivered his homily via satellite from Rome. He began his remarks to the 49th International Eucharistic Congress with a nod to Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebrations and praised the efforts of many Catholics, like Jesuit martyr Jean Brebeuf, "who helped to found your country."
"Sunday is the day we honour Christ, we need to rediscover, understand and respectfully celebrate the Sunday Eucharist," said the Pope, speaking in French and English.
Celebrating the eucharist on Sunday, he added, "gives strength to live each day in God."
Some 10,000 pilgrims from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe had registered for the rite.
The Pope also called for more young men to consider the priesthood, "to accept with joy, not fear, to answer the call of God."
The crowd was made up mostly of older people, most sat on folding chairs they'd brought - or purchased from a concession in the middle of the field.
Some 1,000 priests, many of wearing ball caps for shade and carrying backpacks, led a long procession followed by about dozen cardinals and dozens of bishops.
"This has been an inspiring and wonderful experience," said Father Nicholas Schumm, a 29-year-old priest from Pensicola, Fla., who was in the procession and was attending his first world congress.
Ordained two years ago, the young priest - a clean-cut, athletic-looking type who used to play football and swim competitively - said the event has been a Godsend for the Church. "This is a celebration of the eucharistic both on and at the altar," he said. "It's a way for everyone to get together and give thanks to God."
He said the best event for him was the six-hour prayer vigil Saturday evening at Le Colisee, Quebec's hockey arena.
He added that the Pope's absence wasn't a point of discussion for priests at this event.
"We figure he's just been travelling too much. But we love him and he loves Jesus and that's what it's all about."
Phillipe Vaillancourt, a Quebec City area Catholic who played host to a televised show that was filmed under a tent next to the main stage and was broadcast live on the Internet, said the Pope's absence allowed the focus to stay on the reason for the celebration.
"It's a good thing he didn't come," he said. "When he shows up he takes the spotlight. This way, the event focused on the eucharist and prayer."
Jean-Marc Beaudet, a vicar of the Sorel-Tracy parish in the Quebec diocese of St. Hyacinthe, said he was most moved by meeting so many people from around the world who share his love and devotion to God. "It's very powerful and uplifting spiritually to hear other people talk about God in their lives. I found it nourishing for my spirit (and) I'm pumped up to transmit that enthusiasm and energy to my groups back home, like the Chevaliers de Colombe (Knights of Columbus) and the Scouts."
The event was held on the west end of the Plains of Abraham, in a one-kilometre-long field next to the Musee national des beaux-arts and the monument that marks the site where Gen. James Wolfe died in battle in 1759.
Quebec City Cardinal Marc Ouellet, primate of the Canadian Catholic Church, welcomed the crowd then introduced and thanked dignitaries including Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean and Quebec Premier Jean Charest.
The most notable features were two big jumbo screens that were set up between three stages.
The centre one, where the mass was held, was made of unpainted, fresh-cut wood and was covered with a 10-metre-high canopy of white tarp.
Another stage was filled with a 400-member choir, many of them Catholic youth from the Quebec City area.
Local volunteer Francine St. Pierre said the event was a moving experience.
"We've been blessed today," said St. Pierre, who attended all the major events of the four-day event. "It's been incredible experience. It's helped to restore and strengthen my faith in God and the church."
Jean Malec, a 52-year-old Montagnais from Quebec's North Shore, was on a pilgrimage here.
"If I didn't have God, I wouldn't be here today," he said standing in a light rain with the strong smell of sweetgrass burning in a pot under a chair next to him. He said that, like on many reserves, he was a victim of the many social problems that abound, including drugs and alcohol and what he calls, "material madness."
He said that many First Nations' people, like him, continue to find solace in the Catholic Church.
"It's very empowering being here with so many people that believe in God as strongly as you."
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