BRAZIL HOLDS XVIII NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

 The XVIII National Eucharistic Congress of Brazil took place in the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife from November 11-15. It began with a prayer meeting at the Sé Cathedral in Olinda with 200 bishops. The Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, Dom Fernando Saburido, gave each bishop a gift, a replica of the wooden pectoral cross used by Dom Hélder Câmara that represents his simplicity . 

“The Eucharistic Congress brings this appeal for true love, committed to the poor, as in the example of the ministry of our Servant of God Dom Helder”, said the archbishop. Upon receiving the cross, the bishops did not hesitate to remove their traditional metal cross and use the new wooden cross, as a sign of adherence to the Congress appeal, translated into the theme “Bread on all tables” .

The second day was devoted to theological symposium. We sisters registered for the symposium, participated in the main conference and went to the workshops we had chosen. On the third day we attended the public catechesis given by Cardinal Antonio Marto. He spoke about the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives and that without it we become empty. In addition, the Eucharist also brings joy and peace to our lives and to the communities that gather around it.

The last day of the XVIII National Eucharistic Congress left a milestone, the inauguration of Casa do Pão, the House of Bread. It was a legacy of solidarity with homeless people. It served as a landmark of the congress which took place with the cutting of the ribbon and then a festive lunch with the bishops together with the homeless people.