What a Day at the Eucharistic Congress will look like

the Chiara Luce Youth Space at 9.30am is placed on the celebration of the with Bishop Franz Lackner from and the singing of the So we are just a month away from Austria. various parts of the . These have the 50th International Eucharistic In the morning the workshops and been chosen from the anthology: Sing Congress in and at this stage presentations offer a wide variety of the Mass [Veritas 2011] produced on you might be wondering what an themes and choice: Faith of Our behalf of the National Centre for actual day at the Congress will be like. Grandparents, Spirituality for Married Liturgy and the Advisory Committee on The daily programme for the 50th Couples with Teams of Our Lady, Do Church Music. The music reflects the International Eucharistic Congress, this in Memory, Communion and Co- repertoire of both the local and the 11 –16 June 2012, will take place in responsibility: coming to life in pastoral universal Church so that together we the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) . The practice, The Eucharistic Liturgy, can give praise and thanks to God. Statio Orbis, the Liturgy on the final day Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and After the celebration of Eucharist of the 50th International Eucharistic much more. There will also be a there will be some free time to browse Congress, will be celebrated in Croke musical performed by KISI-KIDS on the the exhibition and cultural spaces in Park, Dublin on Sunday, 17 June 2012. subject of Paul, called by God. the RDS and to meet and greet others The Programme of the There will be an opportunity to see from Ireland and across the World. 50th International Eucharistic a Radharc film on the topic of Vatican In the evening there will be Congress is built around the daily II – A Council in the likeness of workshops and presentations on celebration of the Eucharist and each John. Ger Gallagher from the Office of themes such as: Sharing Faith with the day has a theme of its own, related to Evangelisation in the Archdiocese of next generation, Evangelisation and the main Congress theme The Eucharist: Dublin will deliver a workshop on the Church Art and Matrimony: Renewing Communion with Christ and with one question ‘Where is the Young Adult Our Dream for Each Other. There will another. Church today?’ be an opportunity to see another The main events of the programme Workshops and presentations Radharc Film called The French take place in the RDS Arena. On most continue throughout the morning with Connection . Mr John Waters, Journalist, days these will be in the afternoon and a choice of Religious Music for Author and Commentator will give a will include: Children, Another Radharc film on the talk on Finding my Religion and 1932 Congress, Liturgy that breathes, ACCORD Catholic Marriage Care • The Catechesis: a ‘teaching’ Blessings and Prayers in Family Life, Service will offer a workshop, as will moment, usually presented by a The Changing Irish Family: for better the Divine Mercy Apostolate. bishop, reflecting on the theme of or worse? And much more. Alongside the programme in the the day and its challenges. At 2.00pm the focus moves to the Arena, there is a full programme of • The Testimony: words of main arena in the RDS for Catechesis workshops and cultural events. In encouragement and inspiration from with Barry Hickey, addition there is the Youth Space a lay-person with a story of faith to Archbishop of Perth on the theme God which has its own dedicated tell. as Loving Communion. Personal programme, details of which are • Celebration of the Eucharist: Mass testimony will be offered by Mr Carl available on www.iec2012.ie . celebrated with all the Congress Anderson, Supreme Knight of the You can book to attend the 50th delegates, presided over by a bishop. Knights of Columbanus on the theme Congress International Congress for of the day Exploring and Celebrating the seven days, three days or one day. See For the purposes of illustrating a day Communion of Marriage and Family. At www.iec2012.ie for more information at the Congress I have decided to focus 4.00pm there will be celebration of the on the week-long programme and for on Tuesday, 12 June. Eucharist and His Eminence André booking details. The theme of the day is Exploring Cardinal Vingt Trois, Archbishop of Join us at the 50th International and Celebrating the Communion of will preside. Eucharistic Congress in the RDS and Marriage and Family so Tuesday is The music programme for the Croke Park and be part of this Family Day. The day will begin with Congress encourages everyone in the momentous occasion in Ireland in Morning Prayer at 9.00am with congregation to participate as much as 2012! Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop of possible in the liturgies during the St Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland in week. Congregational singing is a key Brenda Drumm the Prayer Space or there is prayer in component in this. Particular emphasis Columba Centre, Maynooth

10 Intercom • May 2012 Pope Benedict XVI blesses Eucharistic Congress Bell

Journeying with the Bell are the four Pope Benedict XVI Eucharistic Congress received the icons which represent International the four parts of the Eucharistic Congress Mass, and correspond Bell in on to each of the four Wednesday 14 March. stages of the pastoral He blessed and rang preparation the Bell as part of programme for the preparations for the Congress. The Bell upcoming 50th calls people to prayer International and the Icons offer Eucharistic Congress rich themes for 2012 (IEC2012), calling reflection. people from across the world to Dublin for the Congress, Ring for Renewal invites people which takes place from 10-17 to pause on the journey of life June. and reflect on how we can renew The Bell was presented by a as people and as members of the delegation headed by the Church as we prepare for President of IEC2012, IEC2012. Archbishop , accompanied by Secretary About the Bell General of IEC2012, Fr Kevin Tradition has it that St Patrick left Doran , and members of IEC2012 a bell in each Church he staff during a papal audience. consecrated as a way to call ‘Pope Benedict XVI blessed the people to the Eucharist. In bell, rang it vigorously and parishes all over Ireland, the paused to admire the icons as Archbishop Martin explained Eucharistic Congress Bell Pilgrimage is building on the their significance’, explained Fr Kevin Doran. tradition of St Patrick and the ringing of Bells. Colette Furlong, Pastoral Services Manager in IEC2012, Since commencing phase one of its pilgrimage on St presented Pope Benedict XVI with the first commemorative Patrick’s Day (17 March) in 2011, the Bell has visited the 26 medal struck to mark this year’s 50th International Dioceses of Ireland, over one thousand parishes, more than Eucharistic Congress. Sheena Darcy, IEC2012 Office 100 schools, and a dozen hospitals and nursing homes, Manager, presented shamrock to the Holy Father. calling people to ‘Come to the Congress’. In September 2011, Later in the day the Bell moved to St Peter’s Basilica where the Bell travelled to , with the Dublin it remained for Mass celebrated by Archbishop Piero Marini, Diocesan group. The Bell has now entered phase two of its President of the Pontifical Committee for the International pilgrimage and is travelling abroad for the second time. Eucharistic Congresses. The Bell was rung at Masses throughout Wednesday as an invitation to the Congress. Eucharistic Congress Medal During the week it spent in Rome, the Bell also travelled to Pope Benedict XVI was presented with a commemorative St Isidore’s Irish Franciscan College, where Mass for St medal celebrating the 50th International Eucharistic Patrick’s Day was celebrated. Deputy Pat Rabbitte, Irish Congress 2012. Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, To mark the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, attended the Mass as part of his visit to for St Patrick’s organisers have produced a commemorative medal designed Day celebrations. On Sunday 18 March, the Bell was present by Martin Barlow, who also designed the IEC2012 logo. The at Mass in the Pontifical Irish College. medal carries the Congress logo in colour on the front and on Speaking during the Bell Pilgrimage in Rome, Fr Kevin the reverse a Celtic cross motif surrounded by the Congress Doran, Secretary General of the 50th International theme: The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with One Eucharistic Congress 2012, said: ‘It seems somehow Another . Each medal comes in a presentation case complete appropriate that the Bell, on its way to visit Pope Benedict, with an explanatory card available in the seven official was delivered on Tuesday afternoon [13 March] to the very languages of the Congress. There are two versions of the office beside St Peter’s Square where Pope Benedict himself commemorative medal available: A medal for general issue worked for over 20 years.’ and a limited edition Irish language version, of which only Father Doran added: ‘We are truly delighted that with this 1,000 will be produced. visit the Bell has brought parishes, schools and hospitals all The medal will be available online at over Ireland into a closer Communion with the Pope as we www.thecollector.ie/iec2012medal . The medal is priced €29.95+ enter the final phase of preparation for the Eucharistic p&p. Congress.’

Intercom • May 2012 11