Official delegation of the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress, IEC 2024, visits Rome
As part of the activities leading up to the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress, the Official Delegation chaired by Monsignor Alfredo Espinoza Mateus sdb., Archbishop of Quito and Primate of Ecuador, arrived in Rome-Italy to hold a series of meetings with the main papal authorities.
On Friday, May 17, Monsignor Espinoza held a meeting with H.E., Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, sdb., Rector Major of the Salesians, while in the afternoon a meeting was held with the International Pontifical Committee at the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
The meeting was led by Fr. Corrado Maggioni, smm., President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, who reported on the progress of the Congress. Meanwhile, Monsignor Espinoza appreciated the welcome. “We feel at home,” he said, while expressing the joy that it is for Ecuador to host such an important Congress for the Catholic Church, an ecclesial event that will be austere but fruitful.
Father Juan Carlos Garzón, general secretary of IEC 2024, announced the program to be held both at the Theological Symposium (from September 4 to 6) and at the International Eucharistic Congress (from September 8 to 15) in Quito. He stressed that issues related to the Eucharist and Fraternity will be addressed, from a historical, political and social point of view: “The Congress is intended to land in the people,” he said.
They recalled that the First National Eucharistic Congress was held in Ecuador in 1886, highlighting the religious history of our country.
The members of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses contributed valuable suggestions that will be implemented in the IEC.
