The 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be hosted in Ireland in 2012.

Since Pope Benedict XVI announced that the 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin in June 2012, people have been asking "what exactly is a Eucharistic Congress and what is its purpose?" 
A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to:

•    promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church

•    help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy

•    draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

Most people in Ireland are familiar with the fact that a Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland in 1932.

Improvements in travel since 1932 will provide a greater international perspective to the 2012 Congress. Technology will play an important part too in preparations but the most valuable aspect of the coming years is the sense of faith which can be kindled in the families and in every parish throughout the country, including our own.

In preparation for the Congress  a series of e-Congress periodicals will be published and will be available here as they become available.

Issue 1 May 2010