Roads, not clouds

On May 27-30 the 10th National Eucharistic Congress took place in Spain, Toledo. The motto was taken from Psalm 43,4: “Then I will go to the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy:” The Congress ought to be inscribed within the 2006-2010 pastoral plan of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, whose main objectives were “to delve into the knowledge of the Eucharist, give renewed life to Eucharistic celebration and adoration, and live the Eucharist as a sign of Christian love”. “In a world that doesn’t know God but which it cannot do without, the baptised need a force, along with the encouragement that comes from God, to witness the love of Christ, to seek unity in Him, to evangelise across all corners of the world and care for the ill-fated, for those who suffer, for the poorest ones”, wrote the Spanish bishops in their message for the Congress. The Congress in Toledo is the tenth Eucharistic Congress being held in Spain.A source of spiritual renewal. Benedict XVI sent a message highlighting the significance of Eucharistic Congresses as “a source of spiritual renewal” and urged to disseminate the love of Christ across all areas of society. The works of the Congress began in Toledo the evening of Thursday May 27 with a reception for the participants and a procession. In the following days four conferences and three round tables took place. Friday May 28 was partly dedicated to the youth. In the evening a procession carrying the Cross and the Icon of the Holy Virgin, symbols of the World Youth Day, left from the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes to the Cathedral and gathered in the Cathedral. On Saturday there was the reading of four comments-testimonies on Eucharistic devotion by the faithful. Ministers of authentic joy. The procession held the first day of the Congress along the roads of Toledo terminated with the Vespers recitation and the renewal of the priestly promises in the primatial Cathedral. The celebration was presided over by the archbishop of Madrid Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, President of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, who in his homily underlined “the great service of priestly ministry at all times. Especially today, marked by discouragement, scepticism and sadness” it’s important to be “ministers of authentic joy”. According to the prelate, the witness of devout faith ministers in particular will produce “fruits in the spiritual lives of the faithful, and will bring new vocations among the youth”. Eucharist and charity. “Since the crisis broke out cooperation by the faithful has increased”, recalled the archbishop of Valladolid, Msgr. Ricardo Blázquez Pérez, vice-president of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference at the National Eucharistic Congress. “Receiving communion means being reconciled with the Church”, since the Eucharist “is the sacrament of unity”. On the other hand, Msgr. Blázquez said, “We receive the body of the Lord to bring fraternity and solidarity in the world”, that is translated into “works of charity and apostolate”. By participating in the Eucharist, the prelate said, “we are at the service of others. We become the supportive companions of those who suffer”. Msgr. Blázquez also highlighted the commitment of Caritas in these moments of crisis. “The Church has a just sense of pride for the way in which our brothers are behaving in the faith”. Indeed, “Christianity is very realistic. We are do not walk on the clouds. Every day we live amidst those who suffer”. The vice-President of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference conveyed his appreciation for the support of taxpayers who devolving a tithe to the Catholic Church. The prelate underlined an increase in such tax-exempt contributions to the Church, thus providing relief to a larger amount of poor people. Missionary Church. A final Eucharistic celebration closed Spain’s Tenth National Congress in Toledo on May 30. The celebration was presided over by the pontifical legate Cardinal Angelo Sodano along with some 50 bishops including Cardinal Antonio Canizares, Carlos Amigo, Antonio María Rouco Varela, and Lluis Martinez Sistach. In his homily Cardinal Sodano highlighted the significance of the Eucharist: the presence of Christ. “There are different forms of divine presence in the world. But in the course of life the Eucharist acquires a special significance for every human being. The Eucharist, by transforming the bread in the Body of the Lord, makes visible the possibility of our own transformation. Before this beautiful reality it is clear that the Eucharist cannot remain confined to the individual life of the believer but it must be also conveyed unto others. A truly Eucharistic Church is a missionary Church”, Cardinal Sodano said.