Brooklyn Bishop Calls for Self-reflection in Fast Moving World at 50th International Eucharistic Congress
There is a need for self-reflection amongst younger members of today’s society, Frank Caggiano, Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, told young people gathered at the IEC2012 Chiara Luce Youth Space.
Bishop Caggiano said: As young people, I wish to give you a special task today. Your generation is the first to live comfortably in the virtual, electronic world. I ask you to be present in this virtual world as witnesses of the Lord Jesus. For it seems to me that many people, especially young people, are searching in the electronic world for a word of hope in their troubles, a word of consolation in their fears, a word of welcome in their loneliness.
He continued: “My brothers and sisters, you are the new heralds of the Word of God in the electronic world and missionaries of Christ. And I have every confidence that like the great missionary saints who lived before us, you can and will bring many people to faith!”
Reflecting on the hectic pace of our lives, he said: “Prayer is made easier if you and I can quiet our minds and sit in silence each day. Coming from New York City, the city that never sleeps, silence is not easy for me either. Given the hectic pace of our lives and our ability to communicate electronically every minute of every day, silence can even be frightening. But God needs a place where he can talk to us in our hearts. And in order to listen, we need to learn how to be still, to sit in silence and to wait with patience.”
Morning Prayer was led by Archbishop Piero Marini, Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses, The Vatican. The daily catechesis was delivered by Archbishop Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, Philippines, and this was followed by a personal testimony from Prof John Monaghan, Vice President, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Ireland.
In his Celebration of The Eucharist, Cardinal Robert Sarah, also reflected on theme of Communion through the Word of Mary: “Today in this Eucharist, on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Jesus knocks at the door of our heart. In us, He wishes to take up His abode and, through our body, enter human history. When we welcome Him, He gives birth to divinity within the crib of our hearts. What answer will our heart give to His divine proposal?”
The musical performers during the final day of the Congress programme in the main RDS arena included: Tommy Fleming, Corpus Christi Texas Cathedral Choir, Killaloe and Limerick Diocesan Choir, Roscrea Parish Choir, Fr Columba McCann, Irish tenor Dominic McGorian and singer Danielle Rose.
Ends
Further information:
• Aisling Harmey, Media Relations Manager, 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, Mob: 00353 (0) 87 137 2447 Email: [email protected]
• Aoife Connors, Media Officer, 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, Mob: 00353 (0) 87 628 0580 Email: [email protected]
Notes for Editors:
• The 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 will take place in Dublin from 10 – 17 June 2012 with 7,000 international pilgrims expected to attend each day at the RDS, representing more than 120 different countries.
• IEC2012 will transform the RDS into a Eucharistic Village for an eight day festival of faith and culture. The Eucharist will be celebrated in the Liturgy and adored in the Prayer Space.
• The Congress is an international gathering of people, held every four years somewhere in the world, which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church; to help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist. These aims are achieved through a programme of pastoral preparation in the years leading up to the Congress and a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops over the course of one week. Previous Congresses took place in Quebec (2008) and Guadalajara (2004)
• The theme of the Congress is ‘The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one Another’ (Communion – like Solidarity – means a relationship of mutual love and self-giving).
• On 17 June, more than 80,000 people are expected to gather and celebrate Statio Orbis, the Final Mass, of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 at Croke Park Stadium.
• There are a total of 223 speakers as part of the IEC2012 programme of events, which includes 38 speakers in the main arena delivering Catechesis (teaching), personal testimonies, homilies and addresses.
• There are 41 speakers delivering addresses at the Chiara Luce Youth Space for young people between 17 and 25 years old.
• A total of 160 workshops including talks, addresses, group reflections, meetings, concerts and plays
• The full programme is available at: http://www.iec2012.ie/programme
• For more information: www.iec2012.ie
• Follow the Congress Week events live: http://www.rte.ie/news/congress2012/
