The 49th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) was held on June 15-22 in Quebec City. The IEC is an international Catholic gathering of bishops, dignitaries, clergy, religious, and the lay faithful with the intention of exploring more deeply the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist. Catechesis, witness talks, Mass, and smaller presentations focusing on the Eucharist comprised the week-long event. The Diocese of Peterborough sent along a small but mighty group of about 20 pilgrims to the pilgrimage, with more pilgrims from the diocese traveling on their own and meeting up with us later on.
The VEYO bus departed on the 13th with Fr. Norbert at the wheel. After a somewhat long journey of about seven hours driving (it including plenty of singing, praying, and sleeping), we finally arrived in Trois-Rivieres (Three Rivers) at the beautiful Cap-De-Madeline Shrine. We soon checked into the Madonna Hotel, which is run by the shrine, and many of us went to check out the beautiful church and a nearby smaller chapel, which was the original church where the image of Our Lady of the Cape appeared. After Mass at the original chapel, the entire group and a few other pilgrims from across Canada took part in a beautiful Marian candle-light procession around the gardens. The next morning, after a group Mass, we all gathered on the VEYO bus and headed to Lévis.
Lévis is a city located directly across the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City. It was also the place of our lodgings for the duration of the congress. We arrived at a college dormitory which was very close to the ferry that transported us across the river to Quebec. However, as we soon found out, despite the nice view of Quebec from the windows, the dorms were not quite what we originally expected them to be. But nonetheless it served our needs adequately.
From the 15th-21st, the Congress activities were held in the Pepsi Coliseum. Catechesis were given by various bishops and cardinals, witness talks were also given, including one by Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche communities for the mentally handicapped. A grand Mass followed each of the talks. All of these focused on the Eucharist. At one point, Mass was according to the Byzantine Rite, giving everyone a wonderful taste of the diversity of the Catholic faith. Smaller sessions were held in other parts of the Coliseum.
There were also other special events held. A youth vigil was conducted with His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellette along with other young people. A gathering of seminarians was held at the Grand Seminaire of Quebec. Also, the IEC hosted the ordination of twelve new priests, including a 8 from Famille-Marie Jeunesse, a young community which has in the years leading up to the congress become quite close to the Youth Office of the Diocese of Peterborough.
A great highlight of the Congress was a large Eucharistic procession through the streets of Old Quebec, gathering a crowd of thousands. It concluded with Cardinal Ouellette giving Benediction to the faithful present.
The finale Mass took place on the historic Plains of Abraham with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Josef Tomko, who represented Pope Benedict XVI during the IEC. Despite being unable to be there physically, the Pope did deliver the homily via live telecast.
The day was quite warm, with many people searching around the grounds to buy some water. However, everyone soon got all the water they could possibly want, as during the Mass a huge (and I mean huge!) rainstorm pulverized all those not under tents or some kind of fortifiable shelter. Everyone and everything got soaked within a short period of time. The rain was so intense that the Mass was sped up in order for the pilgrims to be able to spend less time under the merciless downpour. Despite getting wet and many things becoming ruined beyond use, such as papers or books we may have had on ourselves, the rain did not damper our spirits as we headed home laughing off the natural shower we all received.
After leaving Lévis, we all made an overnight stop in Montréal at Notre-
Dame-De-Consolata Parish. There we were greeted by the warm parishioners who opened their hearts for us. After spending the night there and receiving very generous hospitality and excellent Italian food for dinner and breakfast, a few of them took us on a tour or various sites in Montréal such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph’s Oratory, and Notre Dame Du Monde Cathedral. After saying goodbye to them, we all made a five-hour trip back to Peterborough.
