IEC “Icon” launched, to visit 20 Cebu churches

CEBU, Philippines - The Pilgrim Icon or Symbol for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 was launched yesterday and is set to visit 20 different parishes in Cebu for the Cebu leg promotional tour of the 2016 event.

From the Mariner’s Court at Pier I, the venue of yesterday’s Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress, the “Icon” was brought through a motorcade to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Starting October 29 until January 10, 2015, the “Icon” will visit to the parishes of San Fernando Rey Parish in Liloan, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Danao City, Immaculate Conception in Camotes, San Guillermo in Catmon, San Vicente Ferrer in Bogo City, St. Rose de Lima in Daan Bantayan, Saints Peter and Paul in Bantayan, San Antonio de Padua in Tuburan, St. Francis de Assisi in Balamban, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. John de Suhagun in Toledo City, St. Anne in Barili, Our Lady of Sorrows in Ronda, St. Gregory of Ginatilan, Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, San Guillermo in Dalaguete, St. Michael de Archangel in Argao, St. Catherine de Alexandria in Carcar, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minglanilla and back to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma who celebrated yesterday’s mass said the visit of the “Icon” would mean that one is not forgotten and is being cared for.

“It means, the visit of God himself,” Palma said to over 500 delegates in the congress.

The “Icon’s” visit to other places aims to drumbeat the upcoming event where every Christian is encouraged to join in a journey of faith, formation and transformation.

      The 51st 2016 IEC will culminate on January 24 to 31, 2016 with the theme “Christ in You, the Hope of Glory. The Eucharist, Source and Goal of the Mission.”

Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, secretary-general of IEC 2016, said the congress was attended by Diocesan/Archdiocesan coordinators all over the Philippines, representatives of various parishes in Cebu and volunteers.

“The 51st IEC is envisioned to provide the participants opportunities for experiencing and understanding the Eucharist as a transforming encounter with the Lord in his word and in his life-giving sacrifice of himself—that we may have life and have it to the full,” the IEC website reads.

The IEC is an international gathering of people, which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist. — /JMO (FREEMAN)