IEC 2012: Congress moves toward climactic conclusion
As Papal Legate to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, Cardinal Marc Ouellet
travelled west to Ireland’s National Marian Shrine of Knock to preach to 5000 pilgrims
at Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in Dublin 2,000 volunteers
slowly began to dismantle the ‘Eucharistic village’ in the Royal Dublin Society.
Now
pilgrims are preparing to make one last journey across the river Liffey that divides
the Irish capital, to the iconic Croke Park stadium for the Statio orbis, or closing
Mass.
Organisers have confirmed that 75 thousand people have booked to attend
the Sunday afternoon liturgy, only 10% of whom are foreign pilgrims. This proof, if
any was needed, that the Congress is heading toward a climatic finish. And the question
on everybody’s lips is what message will Pope Benedict XVI have for the people of
Ireland, for the church local and universal gathered here, around the Eucharist, when
his video message is beamed to participants on giant screens at the end of Mass.
But
before leaving the RDS grounds Saturday evening, the people naturally drifted one
last time towards the picnic tables that are dotted on the green lawns around the
arena, and where all week long in between liturgies, workshops, concerts and moments
of prayer and adoration, they sat down for the most Irish of traditions: a cup of
tea and a chat.
There is no doubt in my mind that these simple wooden tables
and benches were as vital to the success of this Congress as the myriad of events
painstakingly organized by the Dublin Church. The conversation taking place around
them would often be in three or more languages, and on many occasions I have seen
deaf pilgrims animatedly communicating with others with the help of special volunteers
trained in sign language. They facilitated encounter and communion, which was the
purpose of the entire endeavour.