International Eucharistic Congress in 2012
Dec | June 22, 2008Today most Irish people do not attend mass regularly yet most of us still call ourselves Catholic. We want to be married in church, have our children baptized, receive their first communion and confirmation, attend mass at Easter and Christmas, then finally we want a church funeral. I count myself in this group, I do not attend mass anything close to regularly yet I still consider myself to be Catholic. The divide between our everyday religious beliefs and our special occasion religious beliefs may make many of us seem like hypocrites to those with stronger faith and a more traditional observance of the Catholic religion. It is interesting therefore that in 4 years time the 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin.
Eucharistic Congresses are gatherings of ecclesiastics and laymen for the purpose of celebrating and glorifying the Holy Eucharist and of seeking the best means to spread its knowledge and love throughout the world.
These days it is easy to find people to knock the Catholic, or indeed any, religion. The Eucharistic Congress in 2012 should see more debate and consideration of the role of the Church in Ireland of the future. It could also see a Papal visit to Dublin. The Catholic church has not had many good news stories in Ireland in the last few years so perhaps this could be a turning point for the Church in Ireland?
I would love to learn as much as possible about the proposed Eucharistic Congress 2012 because I have a slide /tape presentation of the Congress 1932 which I show to many societies . People may be asking me about Congress `12 . I would appreciate any update on the proposed Congress 2012 . I look forward to your courtious reply Thank you
Yours Sincerely Tom Dodd
I would suggest that the ‘divide’ is due to Irish people being driven by emotion rather than logic. The weekly Mass feels boring, repetitive and pointless; therefore people ignore it. Special occasions offer the excitement of elaborate, unfamiliar ceremonies; people feel the need to make a milestone in their lives, so they attend. Yes, from a logical point of view it’s hypocritical, but if we were logical we wouldn’t be religious in the first place.
So, I think the Congress should excite Ireland’s Catholics by challenging them to improve their society, and by empowering them through the social networks of the Catholic church. A dry, academic discussion of theology simply won’t catch the public’s attention.
I don’t know a lot about the congress yet, but I’m already looking forward to it. I’m not ‘piodourous’ but I know that the Eucharist has had a great influence on me since I was a child. I’ve seen a few changes, but the central aspect of it is still the same – we are strengthened by it.
Maybe Mass CAN be seen as repetitive – so’s driving, work, love, excitement, sorrow, etc. -but we generally stick at it . Like the Eucharist itself – “ever ancient, ever new”. It’s not a quick-fix (it’s too important and august to be frivilous and easy like that).
Roll on 2012!
A REFLECTION RELATING TO THE PLANNED
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN DUBLIN IN 2012
THIS WOULD BE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS TO SHOW THAT THEIR FAITH REFLECTS AND PROCLAIMS THE MANDATE
THAT WAS GIVEN BY THE GENTLE LAMB OF GOD WHEN AMOUNGST US.
THAT WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS HE HAS LOVED US
IN KNOCK ON THE 21st AUGUST WE RECALL A VISION THAT RAISED THE SPIRIT OF THE IRISH PEOPLE AFTER THE FAMINE
ON THAT VERY WET EVENING IN1879 AT THE GABLE WALL OF THE CHURCH OF ST.JOHN THE BAPTIST IN KNOCK
The symbolic LAMB OF GOD was seen standing on an altar
Accompanied by angels and the cross in the background
To the left of the altar were seen three human figures
The 15 visionaries believed they saw
MARY the mother of JESUS (the lamb of god)
JOSEPH the spouse of Mary
And JOHN the evangelist
THE “LAMB†HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO
JUDEAN AND CHRISTIAN HISTORY FROM THE PASSOVER
TO THE CRUCIFICTION WHEN JESUS BECAME THE
PASCHAL LAMB the SUFFERING SERVANT
HOW WONDERFUL IT WOULD BE TO HOLD AN ECUMENICAL
GATHERING OF ALL THE FOLLOWERS OF THE LAMB OF GOD
IN THE BASILICA AT KNOCK.
THE five SEPARATED CHAPELS THEREIN ALL ENCIRCLE THE CENTRAL ALTAR OF THE LAMB OF GOD.
IN 2012 AROUND THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITION
THE DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN FAITHS COULD SHARE IN A SPECIAL WAY THE BELIEFS THEY HAVE IN COMMON .
AS THE LORD SAID “LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP†AND MIRACLES HAPPENED
I PRAY THAT THE NON-VIOLENT LAMB OF GOD
WILL LEAD HIS FLOCK ON THE ROAD TO UNITY
FINTAN
Presumably this will be over 18s only?
I am pleased that Ireland has been chosen for 2012.
This is an ocasion for the people to renew their faith in this world we live in.
I would love to know the exact dates would the timing be the same as 1932.
Amaxing Amaxing Amaxing. I cant wait to get to the eucharistic congress. Im comming from Australia. Im trying to get as many mates involved as i can.For myself this is a wonderfull lead on from world youth day. Australia get behind the old country.Who brought this great faith to our shores 200 YEARS AGO. approx.
Eucharistic Congress 2012 will be a great event. I don’k know how much the Irish people will realize that. One thing is sure, many people have already started praying for Ireland and the Congress. There will be a strong undercurrent of Gods unconditional love which is Eucharist itself across Ireland even without the Irish knowing it. The Lord will stir up the hearts of the young and old, black and white, religious and lay in those days of abundant grace. The source and summit of Christian life, sum and summary of our faith. God bless everyone.