Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quebec City (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec, made a special invitation to the city’s inhabitants to participate in the closing ceremony of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC 2008), during which the homily will be given live from Rome, by Pope Benedict XVI, via satellite, and later placed on large screens stationed throughout the area. The ceremony will take place on June 22, 2008 on the Plains of Abraham, in front of Quebec’s National Fine Arts Museum.
Activities will commence at 9 a.m. with a musical concert, in honor of the 400th Anniversary of Quebec City. There will be performances from Florence K, singer and pianist, and Natalie Choquette, opera singer, and the youth singers of the group Pueri Singers, a choir of over 500 young people between the ages of 8 and 16.
“The Society for the 400th anniversary of Quebec City takes great satisfaction in participating in the performance that will precede the closing ceremony for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress. This musical introduction will create the right environment and recollection in anticipation for the celebration,” said the Society’s General Director, Daniel Gelinas.
The Mass is scheduled to begin at 11am and will be attended by a numerous group of Cardinals, Bishops, priests, and deacons. His Eminence Jozef Cardinal Tomko, who is the Holy See’s delegate for the Congress, will preside the Mass. An estimated 50,000 people are expected to attend the Eucharistic Celebration, which will be followed by a picnic.
The 49th International Eucharistic Congress will take place June 15-22, 2008 with the theme “The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/4/2008; righe 22, parole 271)
