Catholics are being urged to give generously to make the 2012 International Eucharistic Congress a success. The event will be hosted in Dublin for the first time since 1932 and speculation is rife that Pope Benedict XVI may use the occasion to make a much-anticipated apostolic visit to Ireland.
A national collection will be taken up in every parish in the country at all Masses on the weekend of Sunday June 14, the solemnity of Corpus Christi.
It is anticipated that the event will cost millions of euro to stage. It is also expected to bring thousands of pilgrims to Ireland from overseas as well as hundreds of parish groups from all over the country.
Pope Benedict announced in June 2008 that he had chosen Dublin to host the prestigious international event that will be marked by Masses, vigils and catechesis on the Church's teaching.
Logistics
Fr Kevin Doran, who has been appointed to co-ordinate the event, told The Irish Catholic this week that it would be a massive logistical operation.
''A significant part of the expense will be hiring venues to host the events and the costs associated with that, including public address systems and translation services,'' he said.
However, Fr Doran also said that the preparatory committee would be expending a ''considerable amount of energy on a catechesis'' in the lead up to the 2012 event.
Preparation
''This is not just about a week-long event, it's going to be important that we work hard on a pastoral preparation programme to ensure that people are prepared for this and to ensure that there is some lasting spiritual benefit,'' Fr Doran said.
''It is envisaged that a programme of evangelisation, catechesis, solidarity and celebration will take place in every diocese in the country in the two year period running up to the Congress.
''This preparatory programme will help to nourish our own understanding of and faith in the Eucharist so that we can participate more effectively in the Congress and welcome those who will come from overseas to celebrate the Congress with us,'' Fr Doran added.
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