INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS (IEC)

What is the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC)?

A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people aimed at 

promoting an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church. The Roman Ritual De Sacra Communione et de Cultu Mysterii Eucharistici extra Missam defines the Congress as “a pause for commitment and prayer to which a particular Church invites the universal Church”. During this time “the celebration of the Eucharist becomes the center and vortex of all forms of piety, of theological and pastoral reflections, of social commitment”.

The Congress normally takes place every four years. Eucharistic Congresses are not the same everywhere. They are characterized by a life of faith and by the culture and tradition of a particular country. All these must be seen during the Congress.

What is the Eucharist?

 
The Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Jesus Christ gives Himself—His Body and Blood—for us, so that we too might give ourselves to Him in love and be united with Him in Holy Communion (YOUCAT, 208).
What are the different names of the Holy Eucharist?
The different names indicate the profound richness of this mystery: the Holy Sacrifice; Holy Mass; the Sacrifice of the Mass; the Lord’s Supper; the Breaking of Bread; Eucharistic celebration; the Memorial of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection; the Holy and Divine Liturgy; the Sacred Mysteries; Holy Communion (YOUCAT, 212).

 

Who is leading the IEC 2016?

The Pontifical Committee on International Eucharistic Congress, headed by Archbishop Piero Marini and based in Rome, initiates and coordinates the IEC at the global level. It designates the Local Committee in Cebu, presided over by Archbishop Jose S. Palma, to organize and prepare for the Congress in 2016. The Local Committee in Cebu is supported by the National Committee, consisting of the Permanent Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses of the CBCP, headed by Archbishop Romulo Valles, and the other commissions and offices of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

We are very lucky for being a part of this rare EVENT that happen here in the Phillipines and especially here in CEBU , because we are once asked to CORDON of their parade near at the `BASILICA dEL STO. NIño

Here are some of my photos taken at this event :