FRATERNITY TO HEAL THE WORLD
FRATERNITY TO HEAL THE WORLD
Above was the theme of the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress held in Quito, Ecuador, 8th to 15th September, 2024. It was a moving spiritual event, drawing to prayer Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Religious, Catechists, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, thousands of Lay Men, Women, Youth and Children from about 60 countries. At almost every turn, priests and Bishops were inundated with requests for blessings and photographs – a very active hunger for faith in Ecuador in spite of growing secularization elsewhere.
All the prayers, talks, testimonies (from families, and from countries like Ukraine, Palestine) interventions, hymns, homilies, processions and even cultural displays were rooted in the Holy Eucharist – our source of healing, reconciliation and unity despite our cultural, geographical, social status, economic inequality, etc. Even though being from all Continents, many countries, races, tribes, clans, etc., the Eucharist urges us and and pulls us together to continue being One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. Mt 23:8 says “You are all brothers (sisters).”
Intense and fervent prayers went on during the very impressive Congress as people were kneeling in humble adoration and active participation in daily Masses, fervent prayers for themselves, their loved ones, their work, their families, their health, their beloved communities, countries and problems of the whole world. As we respectfully receive the Eucharist, we must never embarass Jesus by being agents of hatred, conflict, greed, crime, corruption, or refusing to help others in need no matter how little we may have.
The Eucharist must lead us to good charitable actions. After the priest says, “Go in peace the Mass is ended,”we must be like the “gang priest” who addressed us and whose work is mainly with those in difficulties with the law. Our corporal works of mercy must lead us no matter how little, to come to the aid of the hungry, thirsty, sick, prisoners, unkistly treated, socially deprived., etc.
Some of these random pictures are simply to give you an idea of the mood of the Eucharistic Congress in Quito. The next Eucharistic Congress has been announced by Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, the Pontifical Legate for 2024 in Ecuador of Pope Francis. It will be in 2028 in Sidney, Australia, DV.
Thank you Ecuador and your good, hospitable and generous people.We pray and hope that someday Nigeria will be playing host too to the worderful international Eucharistic gathering.
