Dumaguete ready for Eucharistic Congress pilgrim symbol’s arrival

CEBU, Philippines - Final preparations are now underway for the arrival of the local pilgrim symbol of the International Eucharistic Congress 2016 in the Diocese of Dumaguete, which covers a large part of Negros Oriental and nearby Siquijor province.

The 51st International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Cebu on January 24-31, with an expected 15,000 local and international delegates but with several activities already lined up for this year prior to its staging next year.

Monsignor Julius Heruela, diocesan coordinator of the IEC 2016, said the Dumaguete Diocese will be the first outside of Cebu to receive the local symbol, from January 25 to 29, this year.

On January 25, the symbol will arrive in Dumaguete City on board a fast ferry at around 12:30 p.m. where a reception ceremony is set at the grounds of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, then to the St. Paul University-Dumaguete.

On January 26, the IEC symbol will be motored to Siaton town and, on the next day, to Tanjay City, all in Negros Oriental.

Heruela said it will be brought to Siquijor on January 28 and then transported to Tagbilaran City in Bohol on the 29th. Its journey will continue onward to Maasin City in Southern Leyte and other parts of Eastern Visayas, then to Luzon, Western Visayas, Mindanao and finally back to Cebu, the host of the IEC 2016.

The IEC pilgrim symbol is a replica of the shrine in Cebu that houses the cross of Magellan and bears the 51st IEC theme, “Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory” to promote greater awareness of the event, added Heruela.  (FREEMAN)