Mumbai: The over 150-year-old Mata Velankanni Church in Bhayander will host delegates from across the country, who will be in the city for the National Eucharistic Congress from November 12 to 15.
The Congress, organized by Archdiocese of Bombay, is in commemoration of the golden jubilee of the 38th International Eucharistic Congress held in this Archdiocese in 1964.
The programme will be held at the St Pius College, Archdiocesan Seminary Complex, Goregaon. Reflecting on the theme “The Eucharist: Nourished by Christ to Nourish Others” the four-day program will adress the challenges of this message in the Indian context .
During the event, Catholic groups would show presentations and hold lectures on issues concerning the community, followed by drama, skits or songs during the evening session.
The shrine of Velankanni in Bhatebandar, Uttan, will give participants a taste of local culture, while an exhibition on the Eucharist will be hosted by the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum. Each day will witness the celebration of the Eucharist under the different rites.
The Congress will be graced by the presence of the Papal Legate, Albert Cardinal Ranjith of Colombo, Sri Lanka, four Indian Cardinals — His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, George Cardinal Alencherry and Oswald Cardinal Gracias — and 71 Bishops along with participants from 133 dioceses from across the country. A video-recorded message from Pope Francis will also be relayed at the Congress.
Across the world, 50 international Eucharistic Congress have been held. The next is scheduled for January, 2016, in Cebu, Philippines.