Plans for pilgrimage to 2008 Eucharistic Congress in Canada

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Dec. 20, 2007

Parishioners and priests from the Diocese of Sioux City are invited to join Father LeRoy Seuntjens on a pilgrimage to the 49th International Eucharistic Congress.

"A Eucharistic Congress is a time at an international gathering to celebrate the Eucharist," said Father Seuntjens, a retired priest of the diocese who attended the congress four years ago in Mexico. "It is such a manifestation of the universality of the Catholic Church - what Catholic really is. When you get with a group like that, you can't help but believe. It helps your faith."

The 2008 Eucharistic Congress will be held from June 15 to June 22 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Congresses are held every four years.

Pope John Paul II officially announced the holding of the Congress in Quebec during an address on Oct. 17, 2004, inaugurating the Year of the Eucharist.

When he attended four years ago, Father Seuntjens said he gained a deepened faith in the Eucharist and a "sense of belonging with people from all over the world who have that same faith."

Those traveling from the diocese will leave on June 13 and return on June 24. Travel accommodations are being made through Star Destinations in Carroll. The pilgrims will arrive on the 14th so they are there for the opening Mass on the 15th. On the way back, the attendees will stay overnight in Niagra Falls on June 23.

Father Seuntjens said people should attend "if they want to deepen and increase their faith and appreciation for the greatest gift we have; if they want to learn how to love the gift of love itself."

"It is a marvelous experience," he said. "There is a presence there. It really is not a presence until I tune into it and know that he is there and he is alive and he is real. The Eucharist is the only sacrament where that is true."

The year 2008 marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City, the first permanent French settlement in North America.

The central theme of the congress is "The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World." This experience of faith will be held in a festive atmosphere, with believers of all ages coming together from every part of the world.

Daily themes

The daily themes will be "The Eucharist, God's Gift Par Excellence," "The Eucharist, Memorial of the Paschal Mystery," "The Eucharist Builds Up the Church, the Sacrament of Salvation," "The Eucharist, the Life of Christ in Our Lives," "Eucharist and Mission," and "Witnesses to Eucharist in the Midst of the World."

"Each day zeros in on a specific aspect of the general theme," said Father Seuntjens.

The first day of the congress will be opening ceremonies. The last day will be closing ceremony and Eucharistic celebration on the Plains of Abraham.

Each morning there will be a plenary session on the day's theme followed by the Eucharist. Every day there will be morning prayer, catechesis and testimonials. Monday through Saturday there will be Eucharistic celebrations except for June 19 when the celebration of reconciliation will be held.

During the afternoons and evenings attendees will be exploring and integrating practical aspects of the central theme. There will be opportunities for adoration, exhibits (vendors and art), missionary activities, evening prayer and historical and cultural activities each day.

On June 16 and 17 there will be workshops and roundtables. Agape and Marian prayer will take place on June 18. The Eucharistic celebration and procession will be June 19. A gesture of solidarity through the inauguration of a charitable work is set for June 20 and on June 21 there will be various family and vocational activities.

Logo for congress

The logo for the congress is a cross dividing a circle into four quarters. The circle represents the host, body of Christ and bread broken and shared in Eucharist. The circle also depicts the earth and its four compass points - the world invited to the universal gathering. In the logo, the shape of a boat, symbol of the universal church (Peter's boat) and a component of Quebec City's coat of arms.

The colors of the logo are "gold" representing the Eucharistic bread, and "red," the Eucharistic wine. The two colors combine to express the gift of God.

A theme song has been written for the congress in English, French and Spanish. The words were written by Robert Lebel and the melody and harmonies by Jacques and Jean Morissette.

The refrain for the song is "O God source of life, we thank you for your gift: this bread and wine for the life of the world. United in praise, we come to the feast to take in our hands, God's gift for life. For this we praise you, Lord."

"The Eucharistic Congress can help us tremendously to gain appreciation of the reality of the real presence," said Father Seuntjens.

After Feb. 1 there will be an extra $50 fee for registration to the congress. The deadline for a housing commitment is April 9. There will be one bus going from the Diocese of Sioux City - first come, first serve basis.

Those interested in making the pilgrimage to the Eucharistic Congress should contact Nancy Stammer of Star Destinations at 800-284-4440 or (712) 792-9793 or Father LeRoy Seuntjens at (712) 258-9078.

For more information about the Eucharistic Congress, visit www.cei2008.ca/en/.