Day Eighteen: The Eucharistic Congress Begins
In the Catholic Church today is the celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Each Sunday the Church celebrates the Eucharist, a direct link to Christ's Last Supper and His gift of Himself on the Cross.
For the whole of this week approximately 14,000 will be praying, learning and yes, socializing together gathered by God's Word to us, Jesus.
Mass was celebrated this afternoon at an open stadium -- a risky business here in Ireland given the weather. Concretely representing the unity of the Church, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, led the celebration. He is the former Archbishop of Quebec City and currently serves the universal Church as the leader of the department for bishops.
My own bishop, Cardinal Thomas Collins was also at the Mass. Cardinal Ouellet in his homily spoke about the scandal of abuse and the resolve that all in the Church need to have to bring about reconciliation and healing. As clergy we are rightfully challenged to be faithful not only to our promises but most of all to be loving and to do everything we can to facilitate our own conversion so that God's love can be experienced more abundantly in our life and ministry.
The Liturgy was very beautiful and people from all over the world were participants. And by Irish standards, the Mass was very long -- which was a good thing!
This evening I enjoyed dinner with another priest from Canada who is here and with whom I studied in those now long past seminary days. As I write this I have resolved to walk and not take transit tomorrow. I think it will let me sleep in a little longer.
For the whole of this week approximately 14,000 will be praying, learning and yes, socializing together gathered by God's Word to us, Jesus.
Mass was celebrated this afternoon at an open stadium -- a risky business here in Ireland given the weather. Concretely representing the unity of the Church, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, led the celebration. He is the former Archbishop of Quebec City and currently serves the universal Church as the leader of the department for bishops. 
My own bishop, Cardinal Thomas Collins was also at the Mass. Cardinal Ouellet in his homily spoke about the scandal of abuse and the resolve that all in the Church need to have to bring about reconciliation and healing. As clergy we are rightfully challenged to be faithful not only to our promises but most of all to be loving and to do everything we can to facilitate our own conversion so that God's love can be experienced more abundantly in our life and ministry. The Liturgy was very beautiful and people from all over the world were participants. And by Irish standards, the Mass was very long -- which was a good thing!
This evening I enjoyed dinner with another priest from Canada who is here and with whom I studied in those now long past seminary days. As I write this I have resolved to walk and not take transit tomorrow. I think it will let me sleep in a little longer.
