Archdiocesan
pilgrimage is June 17-24
Sign up by April 15 for Eucharistic Congress in Quebec
City
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
Catholics in the Philadelphia Archdiocese have until April 15 to make
reservations for the June 17-24 archdiocesan pilgrimage to the 49th International
Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City, Canada.
“It’s absolutely necessary that we solidify plans for our
archdiocesan pilgrimage in order to ensure that we will have accommodations
in Quebec City,” said the archdiocesan delegate to the congress,
Msgr. Arthur E. Rodgers, vicar for Montgomery County and pastor of St.
Matthias Parish in Bala Cynwyd.
Cardinal Justin Rigali and Auxiliary Bishops Robert P. Maginnis and Joseph
P. McFadden are among the prelates of the Archdiocese scheduled to attend
the congress.
Also attending are 40 seminarians and several faculty members from St.
Charles Borromeo Seminary, along with a contingent of young adults as
well as individuals of other ages.
Congress-goers are, essentially, “apostles of the Eucharist,”
Msgr. Rodgers said.
The International Eucharistic Congress is an opportunity to celebrate
and adore Jesus Christ in His Eucharistic Mystery. The global gathering
of Catholics provides participants a chance to bear witness before the
entire world — in faith and in a spirit of charity — to their
association with Christ and membership in His Church.
Attending a congress has the potential to deepen one’s faith and
the faith of others, Msgr. Rodgers said. Participants “are really
proclaiming the faith in such a visible and dynamic way.”
The 49th congress will be held during the 400th anniversary of the founding
of the French city of Quebec, which, in the 18th century, was destined
to become a vital missionary center for all of North America.
Following the Feb. 24 Angelus in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Pope
Benedict XVI invited the people of the world to support the congress through
prayer and participation. A papal legate will represent Pope Benedict
at the congress.
The main group of Philadelphia pilgrims will depart for the congress by
chartered buses on the morning of Tuesday, June 17, and return to Philadelphia
Tuesday evening, June 24.
Cardinal Rigali will celebrate a Mass for the Philadelphia pilgrims Wednesday,
June 18 at the Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame de Quebec. A dinner with
the Cardinal will follow.
The Philadelphia pilgrims will join other congress participants in a Eucharistic
procession through the streets of Quebec City on Thursday, June 19.
On Friday, June 20, a Mass for pilgrims from the United States will be
held at the Shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupré, named for the mother
of the Virgin Mary.
Other highlights will include general sessions that address the theme
of the congress, “The Eucharist, gift of God for the life of the
world;” prayers; catechetics; testimonials; Eucharistic celebrations;
workshops; roundtable discussions, and periods of adoration before the
Blessed Sacrament.
The closing Mass will be Sunday, June 22.
While in Quebec City, the Philadelphia pilgrims will also visit major
religious centers. On their return to Philadelphia, the pilgrims will
visit the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, N.Y.
For reservation information, call Msgr. Arthur E. Rodgers at (610) 784-0092
or e-mail him at: rvmontg@adphila.org.
Visit the congress Web site at www.cei2008.ca.
Stops
in the Eucharistic Congress tour
While in Quebec City, Canada, for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress,
pilgrims from the Philadelphia Archdiocese will visit major religious
centers, including the following:
• The Cathedral Basilica/ Crypt
• Quebec Seminary
• Good Shepherd Museum
• Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Anglican)
• Chapel and Museum of the Ursulines. Tomb of Marie de l’Incarnation
• Sacred Heart Shrine
• Jesuit Chapel
• Augustine Church and Museum
• Monument dedicated to Archbishop Laval
• Monument of Faith
• Church of Notre Dame des Victoires