It’s still 26 months away, but preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) kicked off yesterday with the Archdiocese of Cebu’s launching of the big event to be held in Cebu City from January 24 to 31, 2016.
Hundreds of people walked with the Blessed Sacrament or the Body of Christ which was placed in a monstrance, “a vessel in which the consecrated Host is exposed for the adoration of the faithful,” in a procession from Fuente Osmeña to Plaza Sugbo.
People from all walks of life, including Cebu’s clergy, university students, catechists and religious organizations took part in the launching which coincided with the feast of Christ the King and the culmination of the Year of Faith.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided over a eucharistic celebration at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda at 4 p.m.
The police estimated the attendees at around 4,000, enough to crowd the rotunda.
Huge sound systems installed along the entire stretch of Osmeña Boulevard aired liturgical hymns, prayers and divine praises as the Blessed Sacrament passed by.
The hour-long procession ended with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a solemn benediction where Palma led the faithful in “consecrating the human race to Christ the King.”
Several individuals brought with them canned goods which will be distributed by the local church to victims of supertyphoon Yolanda.
In his homily during the launching Mass, Palma encouraged the people never to lose hope and “put their trust in God who is ever-present in the Holy Eucharist.”
“The wrath of supertyphoon Yolanda has claimed the lives of many and ruined a lot of our churches and houses. Many were injured and there still a number of people who remain missing until now. But the faith of the Filipino nation, the faith of the Cebuanos is as strong as a rock,” he said.
“Neither the storm surge nor the rains has drowned our faith. The strong earthquake even failed to destroy our faith. Let us journey with hope. We believe that amid everything we experienced, a bright tomorrow awaits us all,” the 63-year-old prelate added.
Palma is also the outgoing president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. He said the church and its people will never abandon the victims of the recent calamities.
He said the tragic devastation brought out the good in each person who shared whatever they have to the victims.
“Several groups and individuals bring food, water and medicine to the victims. There’s a caravan of people who were present in times of difficulties. We see the solidarity amid the tears and sorrow of other people,” Palma said.
He said the prayer walk yesterday is a reminder that God is with His people even during the dark moments of their lives.
“We know that God is with us. The same God who shared in our sufferings. And so we are not ashamed to call God our God. We believe in His love for us. He is a God of love and nothing can separate us from the love of God,” he said.
After his homily, Palma blessed the chairpersons of all the committees for the IEC led by its secretary-general, Msgr. Dennis Villarojo.
Villarojo presented to the archbishop and the people gathered during the Mass a replica of Magellan’s cross which has been the proposed symbol for the big event which may likely be attended by Pope Francis./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL, CORRESPONDENTS FRESHA ENDICO AND JUSTINE L. ESPINA