How to participate in the International Eucharistic Congress at home

Puebla, Mexico, Sep 6, 2024 / 08:00 am

The 2024 International Eucharistic Congress, which begins this Sunday in Quito, Ecuador, is generating great expectations around the world. But how can those who cannot attend in person experience this moment of grace from a distance?

Father Juan Carlos Vásconez, one of the congress’ official spokespersons, offered a guide to joining from home and making the most of the event.

Joining spiritually from wherever you are

“The faithful can join the congress spiritually by praying for the fruits of the congress,” Vásconez pointed out, noting that this event, which will be held Sept. 8–15, is taking place almost at the same time as Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.

The Ecuadorian priest invited everyone to “participate in the opening and closing Masses, which will be livestreamed and are central events of the congress.” EWTN will broadcast these and other events of the congress throughout the week.

“You can follow the scheduled activities with the daily summaries and meditate on the documents and videos that will be produced. These can be used to pray before the Blessed Sacrament or to better understand the holy Mass and participate more actively in it,” the priest added.

One of the most notable opportunities will be the live broadcast or streaming of the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during the congress. “We will constantly broadcast the events, including when we have times of adoration,” Vásconez said.

He also emphasized that not only the opening and closing Masses but also other important events such as the huge procession on Saturday, Sept. 14, through the streets of Quito “will be open to the participation of all the faithful and will be broadcast and commented on online.”

Recommendations for experiencing the congress remotely

For those who will follow the congress from another country, the priest suggested devotional practices that allow for deeper participation. “My recommendation is to use the congress prayer and learn the congress hymn,” he advised. 

Finally, Vásconez urged “praying the holy rosary for the fruits of the following days and taking advantage of the material produced to deepen our faith and how Christians united by the Eucharist create fraternity to heal the world.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.