Written by: María José Casco
Quito has stood out for its deep Eucharistic devotion since the Consecration of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 25, 1874. Sister Patricia Gualpa, an Oblate of the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, highlighted this during her appearance on the program “On the Road to IEC 2024,” broadcast on Radio María on Mondays.
She mentioned that in the 17th century, Jesuit fathers were the promoters of spreading love for the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Many faithful were immersed in this spirituality, such as Saint Marianita de Jesús, who was formed under this devotion. “All of Ecuador drank from these sources, thanks to the Jesuit fathers,” she said.
For Sister Patricia Gualpa, this year, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of that memorable consecration, the city of Quito once again becomes an “Eucharistic city” as it hosts the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress, which will take place from September 8 to 15. This ecclesial gathering will feature delegations from various countries coming together in the “Little Face of God” to reflect on and live the Eucharistic Mystery under the theme “Fraternity to Heal the World.”
The Oblate religious, who is also the author of the book The Republic of the Sacred Heart, also highlighted how this spirituality manifests today: “The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a formative process that we live through works of charity and solidarity, and through fraternity, the central theme of this International Eucharistic Congress. It is common to hear the faithful repeat with devotion: ‘Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.’ Living this testimony is crucial for our faith.”
The IEC 2024 celebrates Quito’s history of devotion and seeks to renew faith and fraternity among all participants, thus reaffirming the spiritual legacy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the hearts of Ecuadorians and the world.
Quito was also the host of the first National Eucharistic Congress in the world in 1886, an event that further deepened devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament.
