Bookings are now open for the official Irish pilgrimage to the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Budapest, Hungary, from 13 – 20 September 2020.
Encouraging pilgrims to attend the Congress in Budapest, Bishop Kevin Doran, the Irish bishops’ delegate for International Eucharistic Congresses, said: “The Church in Hungary is inviting us to join with it to celebrate the next International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest. Ireland has had that privilege in 1932 and in 2012. Hungary has very deep Christian roots, dating back 1000 years to its first King, Saint Stephen. The beautiful city of Budapest was a place of suffering for Jews and Christians alike for much of the 20th century. What better way for us to express our communion with the people of Hungary and, at the same time, to renew our experience of Dublin in 2012? I look forward to meeting with hundreds of Irish pilgrims on the banks of the Danube next September.
“In addition to the daily activities of the Congress – the celebration of Mass and the delivery of catechesis and testimonies by clergy and well known lay Catholics from around the world – pilgrims will also be able to enjoy a variety of cultural events and outdoor activities. There will also be an opportunity, for those who wish, to visit the cities of Estergom and Gyor.”
Bishop Doran concluded, “In Ireland, as we prepare for the IEC2020 in Budapest, we will host a National Eucharistic Congress – Adoremus 2020 at the national Marian shrine in Knock, Co Mayo, on 19 and 20 June. Adoremus 2020 is a joint initiative between the National Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration and the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. All are welcome.”
The International Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of people 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 lead up to the Congress and a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops throughout Congress week.
Hungary last hosted the International Eucharistic Congress in 1938. The theme of IEC2020 is ‘All My Springs are in You’. It is taken from Psalm 87 and refers to God as the source (or spring) of life for his people.
Ireland hosted the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in 2012 which took place in Dublin on the theme, ‘The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with One Another’. Ireland also hosted the 31st International Eucharistic Congress in 1932 which coincided with the 1500th anniversary of Saint Patrick’s arrival in Ireland.
Be part of this unique event and re-live the atmosphere of the recent International Eucharistic Congress and World Meeting of Families held in Ireland.
The cost for the pilgrimage is from €1,050 per person sharing.
Watch this short video showing some of the venues for the IEC2020.
Click here for booking information.
Itinerary
(Please note this is may be subject to change)
Day 1 Saturday 12 September 2020: Depart Dublin Airport
Fly direct from Dublin to Budapest before transferring by private coach to your chosen hotel.
Day 2 Sunday 13 September 2020: Opening Ceremonies
15:00: Opening Ceremonies of the International Eucharistic Congress 2020 at Ferenc Puskás Stadium.
16:00: Opening Mass with First Holy Communion
Daily Programme available Monday through Friday 14-18 September
Daily programme of Morning Prayer, Catechesis, Testimony, Workshops and Mass. Lunch included. Nightly cultural events throughout the city.
Day 5 Wednesday 16 September 2020: Parish Encounters
Parish encounters at various places. Greek Catholic Liturgy at St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Day 6 Thursday 17 September 2020: Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration of the communities at St. Stephen’s Square.
Day 7 Friday 18 September 2020: Youth Evening
Youth Evening at Papp László Budapest Sports Arena.
Day 8 Saturday 19 September 2020: Family Day
Family day on Margaret Island.
17:00: Mass on the Kossuth Square with Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest.
Day 9 Sunday 20 September 2020 – Statio Orbis
10:30am: Statio Orbis Concluding Mass on Heroes’ Square.
Day 10 Monday 21 September 2020 – Depart Budapest
Private coach transfer to Budapest airport. Direct flight to Dublin.
Notes
- Prices per person sharing twin or treble rooms with private facilities.
- A €250 non refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.
- Airport taxes, charges and government levies as published on the date of this proposal are included.
- Single rooms available upon request. A single supplement will apply depending on your chosen hotel
- Passengers are entitled to check-in one standard piece of luggage and carry one piece of hand-luggage subject to airline’s conditions.
- A buy on board catering service is available on flights.
- Travel insurance for passengers up to 85 years is offered free of charge as part of the travel package; cancellation cover excluded.
Optional
- Additional insurance premium of €29 for pilgrims aged 86 to 94 years.
- Shorter stays and ground only packages without flights available upon request.
- Optional day trip to the city of Gyor. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Gyor and learn about the special connection with Ireland. €25 per person (subject to minimum numbers to operate)
- Registration package for IEC2020, which includes access to the public transport to and from the various venues being used in the programme;
- Early Registration included (up to 13th March 2020)
- Regular Registration (14th March to 31st July 2020) €20 supplement
- Late Registration (1st August to 9th September) €40 supplement
ENDS
