Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Date, Theme OK'd for Eucharistic Congress

Dublin Readies for 2012 Event

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI approved the date and theme for the next International Eucharistic Congress, to focus on the Eucharist as communion with Christ and with one another.

The Vatican press office reported today that the Pope approved the June 10-17, 2012, conference theme. The event will be held in Dublin, Ireland.

A communiqué explained that the theme is inspired in No. 7 of "Lumen Gentium": "Really partaking of the body of the Lord in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread, we are taken up into communion with Him and with one another. 'Because the bread is one, we though many, are one body, all of us who partake of the one bread' (1 Corinthians 10:17). In this way all of us are made members of His Body, (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:27) 'but severally members one of another' (Romans 12:5)."

In fact, this 50th Eucharistic congress will take place precisely on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which, according to Dublin's Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, was "a moment of renewal and further reflection on the teaching of the Church and of her self-understanding as Body of Christ and People of God."

Preparations

The Archdiocese of Dublin has already begun preparations, establishing a local committee that will be headed by its archbishop. Its secretary will be Father Kevin Doran, a consultor of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 9:12 PM