This past week, about 30 pilgrims from the Diocese of Bridgeport (above) attended the 49th International Eucharistic Congress held in Quebec City, Canada. I was able to join them for part of that event – enough to be inspired about what I witnessed during these days of praise, thanksgiving, reflection, and union with thousands of other Catholic Christians throughout the world. Its theme was “The Eucharist: Gift of God for the Life of the World.” It was a moving demonstration of the power of the Eucharist to transform us and thus to make us agents in building a true civilization of love.

About 25,000 people from all over the world attended. It was easy to see the Church in her universality and diversity in that Convention Center which was transformed in what was called “A Eucharistic City.” One night the Eucharistic City spilled out into the streets of Quebec as thousands marched in beautiful candlelight Eucharistic procession. Many residents were on-lookers, some peering from their windows at the spectacle, and I have no doubt that many were won over to the Lord. Another day, the Eucharistic City became “the City of Forgiveness” as nearly all the participants in the Congress shared in the Sacrament of Penance.

The days began with sung Morning Prayer followed by two talks. The first talk was an instruction, often given by bishops from around the world. They were really excellent.

One bishop from the Philippines caught everyone’s attention when he held up, in turn, a frozen steak to illustrate how a mind, frozen in indifference, may hear the Gospel but fail to respond since it lacks the fire of the Holy Spirit; a diet soft drink to show how we often imbibe the Gospel message but without gaining from it (I’ll never look at my lunchtime Diet Pepsi in quite the same way); and a map to demonstrate how we ask God to show us the way and then point out to him on the map we’ve drawn for our lives, a map that shows where we want to go. Again and again he brought the house down and also had people on their feet applauding the truth.

In his concluding homily, Pope Benedict XVI, who addressed the participants via live television, returned to the most fundamental point of the whole Congress: the need we have to prepare ourselves properly to share in the Eucharist – our need to approach it with living faith and deep gratitude, with our sins forgiven – so that we might share in this gift worthily. The Holy Father taught us, as did the Congress by word and witness, how the worthy celebration of the Eucharist can bear abundant fruit in our personal lives, in the community of the Church, and in a world that hungers and thirsts for truth and love.

Although the Congress has concluded, it is possible to participate vicariously by reading and reflect on the talks which are posted online: click here.

May this also be an opportunity for each of us to renew our love for the Eucharist. Remember that daily and Sunday Mass Schedules, Confession Schedules, and locations of Eucharistic Adoration in Fairfield County are just a mouse click away on the diocesan website, www.bridgeportdiocese.com, under the “Our Parishes” banner.

May this Congress bear abundant fruit in our lives, in our Diocese, and in world!