More than 8,000 Catholics from across New York State will gather this weekend at the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, NY to celebrate the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This congress, organized by the eight Catholic dioceses in New York, is part of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival, sponsored by the bishops of the United States.
17 bishops will concelebrate Mass on Saturday, October 21. In fact, more than 250 bishops, priests, deacons, and seminarians will be a part of that liturgy. The Congress will also include talks in both English and Spanish by nationally known Catholic speakers, music, Eucharistic Adoration, and opportunities for fellowship and socializing. You can find the full schedule under the INFO tab at https://nyseucharisticcongress.org/
Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, Bishop of the Diocese of Albany where the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs is located, said, “Think of the Eucharistic Congress as a personal invitation from the Holy Spirit to a mini retreat, a springboard for your own reflection on the Eucharistic presence of Jesus in your life and in His mystical body, the Church, of which you are a beloved member.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, said “Our Lord loves us so much that He chooses to remain with us in the Holy Eucharist. I pray that through this Eucharistic Congress, many will come to better know, love, and serve Him, by strengthening our love and faith in this wonderful gift of His real presence.”
For anyone who is not familiar with Catholic teaching on the Eucharist:
- What is the Eucharist? Catholics believe that at every Mass a double miracle occurs. During the part of the Mass known as the Consecration, we believe the bread and wine are totally changed into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ while still miraculously maintaining the appearances of bread and wine. The mystery of this change is called “transubstantiation”, and the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is often referred to as the “True Presence” or the “Real Presence.”’
- What is Adoration? Adoration is prayerful worship of Jesus Christ, truly present under the appearances of bread and wine in the Eucharist. The host — what was previously bread that was consecrated during Mass and is now the sacramental presence of Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity — is set inside of a Monstrance and placed on an altar. People come to pray in His presence. It is also possible to adore Jesus while his Eucharistic presence remains in a Tabernacle, a locked box designed to contain the Eucharist and found in a principal spot in Catholic churches.
You can follow https://www.facebook.com/NYSEC2023 for updates, including pictures and video throughout the weekend.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
Two priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany are also leading a pilgrimage from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany to the Shrine in Auriesville. That begins with a Mass at the Cathedral at 8 am on Tuesday, October 17 with Bishop Edward Scharfenberger presiding. Pilgrims are scheduled to arrive at the Shrine in Auriesville on the first day of the Congress, Friday, October 20. They will be stopping at churches along the way for food, rest, and fellowship. You can learn more about the pilgrimage and scheduled stops at https://www.wayofmartyrs.org/
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