Volunteers to map out IEC 2016 preparations in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Volunteers for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 started to arrive yesterday for the two-day planning sessions.

Cebu Archdiocese spokesperson Msgr. Joseph Tan said as of 12 noon yesterday, 63 delegates from 53 dioceses in the country have arrived.

Tan, however, said they expect more delegates to arrive for today’s event at Mariner’s Court in Cebu City for the Catechism of the Eucharist, among others.

“We expect at least 800 local delegates alone,” Tan said.

As stated in their website, 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.

Furthermore, it seeks to help improve people’s understanding and celebration of the liturgy and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, through the Permanent Committee on International Eucharistic Congresses together with the Local Committee of Cebu, is leading the preparations for the IEC 2016.

Other objectives of a Eucharistic Congress are to enhance and deepen the understanding, appreciation and celebration of the Eucharistic in all its dimensions: support a deeper understanding of a meaningful celebration of the Mass; extend the worship of the Blessed Sacrament outside the Mass itself; and help people reflect on the social implications of the Eucharist so that the influence or fruit of celebration and adoration permeate the whole of our personal and social life.

This is the second time that the Philippines will host the international gathering, the first one being in 1937 which was joined by over half a million delegates worldwide.

The CBCP expects at least 15,000 international delegates and about a million local revelers during the event.  — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMD (FREEMAN)