ACI Prensa Staff, Sep 4, 2024 / 15:46 pm
The Catholic Church in Latin America is once again preparing to host an International Eucharistic Congress, the fifth the region has hosted since 1934.
On this occasion, the event will take place in Quito, Ecuador, Sept. 8–15 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the country’s consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
EWTN will provide complete coverage of the opening and closing Masses and Eucharistic processions as well as all the important sessions and speakers.
Eucharistic congresses “are an expression of a particular veneration and love of the universal Church for the Eucharistic mystery, a source of fraternity and peace,” explains the website of the 53rd Eucharistic Congress of Quito 2024.
The first International Eucharistic Congress took place in 1881 in Lille, France. In 1934, the first Latin American city hosted an event of this magnitude dedicated to Christ in the Eucharist.
Below is a brief history of the four international Eucharistic Congresses held in Latin America prior to Quito 2024.
Buenos Aires 1934
During the pontificate of Pius XI, the Argentine capital was chosen to host the 32nd International Eucharistic Congress held Oct. 10–14, 1934, with the theme “The Social Kingship of Christ through the Eucharist.”
The Holy Father appointed Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII, as papal legate, and at that time Archbishop Santiago Luis Copello headed the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.
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According to statistics, the events held Oct. 12–14 were attended by an estimated 1 million people, and the main celebrations took place around a large monument several meters high known as the Cross of Palermo.
Rio de Janeiro 1955
Under the pontificate of Pius XII, the 36th International Eucharistic Congress took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event was held July 17–24, 1955, with the theme “The Eucharistic Reign of Christ the Redeemer.”
At that time, the archdiocese was headed by Cardinal Jaime de Barros Câmara, and the pontiff sent the secretary of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation, Cardinal Adeodato Giovanni Piazza, as his representative.
On the last day, Pius XII gave a radio message in which he thanked the people for their devotion and in which he stated that if the gift of God, the Eucharist, was truly known, “there would be no member of the faithful who would fail to take an active part in the divine Sacrifice on the Lord’s day.”
Also, the day after the conclusion of the Eucharistic congress, the first General Conference of the Latin American bishops was held in Rio de Janeiro, after which the Latin American Bishops’ Council (CELAM, by its Spanish acronym) was created.
Bogotá 1968
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Under the theme “Vinculum Charitatis” (“Bond of Charity”), the 39th International Eucharistic Congress was held in Bogotá, Colombia, Aug. 18–25, 1968, for which Pope Paul VI appointed Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro as papal legate.
On that occasion, the Archdiocese of Bogotá was headed by Cardinal Luis Concha Córdoba.
Although he appointed a representative, the pontiff visited Colombia from Aug. 22–25. During a Mass celebrated in Bogotá, Paul VI noted that the sacrament of the Eucharist offers men and women the “hidden, living, and real presence” of Jesus Christ.
During his visit to the Colombian capital, the pope also inaugurated the second General Conference of the Latin American Bishops, which would take place in Medellín.
Guadalajara 2004
Finally, the 48th International Eucharistic Congress — the fourth in Latin America — was held in Guadalajara, Mexico, under the theme “The Eucharist: Light and Life of the New Millennium.”
The congress took place Oct.10–17 during the pontificate of St. John Paul II, who appointed Cardinal Josef Tomko, then-president of the Pontifical Committee for Eucharistic Congresses, as papal legate.
At that time, the Archdiocese of Guadalajara was led by Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez.
One of the most popular events was the pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Zapopan, in which nearly 2.5 million pilgrims participated.
On the last day of the congress, from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Pope John Paul II inaugurated the Year of the Eucharist.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
