Postage stamps from the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress are presented at the Holy See
The tradition of issuing postage stamps when an International Eucharistic Congress is held remains in force. Starting Monday, May 20, 2023, they are available for distribution.
The IEC 2024 postage stamp features images of Quito-Ecuador; Places such as the Basilica of the National Vow, the top of Panecillo and the Middle of the World are present in the philatelic products whose historical value is transcendental since it is the first time that Quito will host an International Eucharistic Congress.
The presentation of the postage stamps took place on the afternoon of Monday, May 20. The meeting was attended by the main pontifical authorities for the International Eucharistic Congresses, as well as the Local Committee of the IEC 2024, Juan Carlos Apunte, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. from the Embassy of Ecuador to the Holy See, and from Dr. Pabel Muñoz, mayor of Quito, host city of the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress.
The mayor congratulated the Church’s initiative and commented that the deepening of the theme “Fraternity to heal the world” is timely in the current times: “Fraternity can be the remedy to heal the world, fraternity is that teaching of Christ to understand each other, brothers,” he stressed. He also motivated to visit Quito as a tourist and religious destination, which has one of the most beautiful colonial centers in the world and what better in a context as important as the holding of the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress, he highlighted.
Father Corrado Maggioni, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, emphasized the importance of Eucharistic Congresses, recalling that since their origins they have sought to reflect on the ecclesial and social meaning of the Eucharist by “reviving the awareness that the presence of Christ among us and through us is the heart of the Church and its mission.”
Monsignor Alfredo Espinoza, Archbishop of Quito and Primate of Ecuador, stated that from the Middle of the World efforts will be united to heal a wounded world and work for peace, since the Eucharist creates fraternity inside and outside the Church. “We want the Eucharist to transform the world we live in, that is the challenge of the Congress.”
She also mentioned that the IEC 2024 has a synodal approach, not just a clerical one, highlighting the presence of women. “The issue of fraternity hits us, questions and compromises us,” he expressed, while inviting people to visit the capital of Ecuador and participate in the Congress: “Quito is a heritage city, the first city declared a World Heritage Site. We want to sell the Face of God to the world. We want to be that face of God, that face of the Eucharist for the world. “We want to work together,” he said.
For his part, Father Juan Carlos Garzón stated that “our country is currently experiencing a wounded social context and that it is time to build fraternity. “Believers or non-believers, we long for an Ecuador that is more just, supportive and free of violence. Under the protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we can together sing a psalm of brotherhood and raise a confident supplication that in a unison chorus proclaims: God of loves Holy Eucharist look at the people of your heart, everything is yours, one day he swore, everything is yours, save Ecuador.
