With only 65 days to go before the beginning of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Quebec City this coming June, the Holy Father has appointed a representative who will attend in his name.
2008 marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese of Quebec, Canada's primacial (or first) diocese. It was in 1608 with the arrival of Jacques Cartier and his companions that the first Catholics arrived on the shores of the St. Lawrence river and since that time, the Church has always had a presence in this land we now call Canada. As part of the celebrations marking this major anniversary in the Archdiocese of Quebec, the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses recommended that this year's festivities take place in that Archdiocese.
Work has been in progess to prepare this gathering for the past five years, and it was hoped that Benedict XVI would himself be able to attend, however a few months ago, the Vatican Press Office announced that due to other travel commitments, His Holiness would not be able to come to Canada this summer. Instead, the Holy Father has today appointed His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Tomko, Past-president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucaristic Congresses to represent him. Cardinal Tomko will therefore present greetings to the ecclesial and civic leaders as well as the thousands of participants who are expected to attend the Congress.
The 2008 International Eucharistic Congress will see the Church of Quebec hosting the Universal Church in a celebration of the Living Christ. Its theme will be The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World. This experience of faith will be held in a festive atmosphere, with believers of all ages coming together from every part of the world.
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