More than 3,000 Catholics from throughout the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany will converge on Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville on Saturday, September 22, for the Hearts Aflame Eucharistic Congress. Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger will be the keynote speaker and principal celebrant of the day’s liturgy, at which priests of the Diocese will recommit themselves to the promises of their priesthood and the faithful will renew their baptismal promises.
The Eucharistic Congress, which is free and open to the public, will include a Eucharistic procession, witness talks, children’s activities, tours of the shrine and more. The Auriesville shrine is recognized as the birthplace of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint, and the site of the martyrdom of St. Isaac Jogues, a Jesuit missionary, along with two lay companions, René Goupil and John Lalande. The pilgrimage site is considered sacred ground by Catholics throughout the country.
A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering at which Catholics focus in prayer on the “source and summit” of the Catholic faith — that Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine in the Eucharist. For more information, visit www.rcda.org/heartsaflame.
Media needing to set up cameras: Contact Mary DeTurris Poust in advance so we can have space available for you. Check-in for media on the day of the event will be at either of the two information tables.
CONTACT:
Mary DeTurris Poust
518.453.6618