IEC2012: On the Eve of the Congress

On Sunday 10^th June the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin opens its doors to the faithful, many of whom have travelled across the globe to participate.

At the heart of the Congress, which takes place every four years, is the daily celebration of the Eucharist.

So what better date to choose for its inauguration than the day we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi which commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The Congress programme also includes other liturgical events, cultural events, catechesis, testimonies and workshops, aiming to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church as well as help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

Before setting off for Dublin, where she is to attend and to report on the Congress for Vatican Radio, Emer McCarthy sat down to speak with Linda Bordoni about the run-up to the event and about her own expectations...

listen...

Emer says that to date some 70.000 people have registered to attend, byt that's excluding the foreign pilgrims who are estimated between 7 and 12 thousand.

She explains that the congress has been in preparation for four years since Pope Benedict XVI announced the venue in Quebec at the last Eucharistic Congress.

Emer says it is "the first time the congress has seen such a large participation of the laity. She says laypeople have drawn up the pastoral programme and travelled the country announcing it."

Emer also says it is widely hoped that th congress will constitute an important part of a process of renewal for the Church in Ireland".

She goes into details of the Congress programme which foresees a different theme each day of the week...