Friday, September 11, the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, begin a Eucharistic Congress at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. All are invited to this gathering of priests, religious, and laity. A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering for the purpose of prayerful reflection centered on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Participants explore how this core dogma spurs faithful Catholics to evangelize and live their lives in accordance with Catholic teaching.
This particular Eucharistic Congress has as its theme Sacrifice of Enduring Love. From the Congress website:
The Congress will consider:
The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of enduring love, where Jesus Christ our Savior gives Himself totally as Bridegroom, uniting to himself His Spouse, the Church, in the perfect Sacrifice of love that brings to fulfillment the communion between God and His people.
Within the universal call to holiness in which all the baptized share, three ways of life within the Christian vocation will be explored in depth. Each is characterized by:
+ an irrevocable commitment;?
+ an identification with Christ in his submission to the Will of the Father; and?
+ a complete gift of self in love
• Priesthood Configured by Holy Orders to Christ, priest, prophet and king in the image of Christ the Spouse Who offered Himself completely in love for His Bride, the Church, a man is consecrated in Christ’s name for the salvation of others, feeding the Church by the word and grace of God. (CCC 1534)
• Religious Life: Entering into an intimate spousal union with Christ and with the Church within a religious institute by profession of the evangelical counsels, a woman or man bears witness to the communion of life within the Most Holy Trinity, following Christ more closely through this total gift of self to the praise and glory of God, for the salvation of souls and for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Marriage: By the gift of man and woman to one another in Christ, an irrevocable and fruitful communion of persons is achieved that is a real symbol of the fidelity of God to His covenant and of Christ to His Church. The love of the spouses is a participation in the very charity of Christ who gave Himself completely on the Cross. (FC 13)
Beginning at 5:30 pm, Friday Evening, attendees will gather in the Upper Church of the Basilica. Following the welcoming address by Mother Mary Quentin Sheridan, R.S.M, the Congress will begin with the Holy Sacrifice of the mass. His Eminence Justin Cardinal Rigali will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist. Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus will address the Congresss at 8:00 pm in the Upper Church. The evening will close with fireworks in front of the Basilica.
Saturday's events begin with a 9:30 am address by His Eminence Marc Cardinal Oullet. He will speak on the Eucharistic Mission of Marriage and the Family. Participants will then have three hours to choose from a variety of workshops. These sessions will in emphasis, some focusing on priestly life, some focusing on consecrated religious life, and some on married life. One of the most intriguing options is the presentation by Laura Molla, daughter of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. Her talk entitled, "To Be Lovers of Life: The Legacy of My Mother, St. Gianna Beretta Molla" will be at 10:30 am in the Crypt Church.
His Eminence Sean Patrick Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, will address all attendees at 1:30 pm in the Upper Church. His address is entitled "The Eucharist and the Evangelical Life". Additional afternoon sessions include "Religious Life: A Solemn Pledge of Undivided Love" by Mother Ann Marie Karlovic, O.P. and "Priesthood: A 'Monomaniacally Consuming' Vocation by Most Reverend Edwin O'Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore. The Congress closes with Mass in the Upper Church at 5:15 pm followed by a Eucharistic Procession and Benediction.
There is no fee for attending the Eucharistic Congress but donations are gratefully accepted.
For more info:
Council of Major Superiors of Women Relgious
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
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