For 51st International Eucharistic Congress 2016: Church highlights youths’ vital role

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — As the Diocese of Dumaguete prepared for the arrival of the local symbol of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress 2016 on Sunday, key Church leaders emphasized the vital role of the youth in the celebration of the Eucharist.

At a press conference Thursday, at least four priests said the youth must be brought closer to the Eucharist — a sacrament in which the bread and wine are consecrated as the body and blood of Christ.

“How many young people still go to church? How much is their understanding of the Eucharist?” Father Hendrix Alar, chairman of the diocese’s Commission on Youth, asked, as he emphasized that the role of the youth should be at the center of the Eucharistic celebration.

Alar cited Pope Francis’s message during the papal visit that the future of the church lies on the young people. Thus, the coming arrival of the symbol of the 51st IEC 2016 to the diocese will “put premium on the youth for the different activities from January 25 through 29.

The IEC 2016 symbol, a replica of the shrine that houses the Cross of Magellan in Cebu, will arrive here on Sunday, according to Monsignor Julius Heruela, parish priest of Bacong in Negros Oriental and diocesan coordinator of the 51st IEC 2016 arrival Sunday noon in Dumaguete.

The symbol will be brought to the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, seat of the diocese, for the reception ceremony. It will then be brought to the St. Paul University-Dumaguete for the opening activities, including a talk on “The Eucharist: Source and Goal of the Church’s Mission,” a Eucharistic Celebration to be presided by Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes, and a youth vigil.

Father Cyril Jalandoon, coordinator for the diocese central district, told journalists it is necessary for the youth to be drawn closer to the Eucharist and participating in the congress/vigil would be an appropriate venue for them to deepen their relationship with the Lord.

On Monday, the motorcade bearing the IEC 2016 symbol, will proceed to Siaton, Negros Oriental for an overnight stay there to cater to the youth and other parishioners in the south district of the province, said Heruela. It will then travel to Tanjay City in the north on Tuesday and to Siquijor province on Wednesday for similar activities, to include talks, Masses and youth vigils.

Father Leonardo Tan, parish priest of Banban, Siquijor and coordinator for the symbol’s visit to that island-province, also underscored the need to educate the young people on the Eucharist and what it means to participate in its celebration.

Heruela added that the activities lined up this year for the 51st International Eucharistic Celebration 2016 will be anchored on the messages of Pope Francis during his recent visit to the Philippines, which he said he will discuss with Bishop Cortes soon.

Heruela further said the Dumaguete Diocese is the first outside of Cebu to receive the 51ST IEC 2016 symbol, which will later be taken to Bohol then onwards to Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas and across the country until it returns to Cebu, the venue for the IEC 2016.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in a CBCP News report, had described the IEC 2016 as “Bigger than the World Cup, bigger than the Olympics.”

On the possibility of Pope Francis returning to the Philippines to attend the IEC in Cebu, Heruela said, “Let us pray for it.” (FREEMAN)