I feel so blessed to have been a part of our Eymardian family in attendance at the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress celebrated in Quito, Ecuador, from September 8 - 15, 2024. It was a week of solidarity filled with grace and spirit.
It was Spiritual, with daily Eucharistic celebrations in a chapel or a stadium, spontaneous singing and dancing, talks, novenas, testimonies, confessions, and processions… in a variety of languages from a diversity of nations. Regardless of the venue, one felt the communion.
It was Societal, with over 5000 people representing some 53 countries. The International Eucharistic Congress was a worldwide gathering, sharing stories, convictions, hopes, and promises – that through unity and effort, we can transform the world and ourselves! People shared their stories of being transformed as they transformed the living conditions of others. Talks ranged from an Italian family who left everything behind from their privileged lifestyle to serve a poor community in Ecuador – to a bishop willing to travel down the Amazon River to serve a native community.
It was Special, and over fifty Blessed Sacrament Religious and Lay family members gathered together in the charism of Saint Peter Julian Eymard. We broke bread and shared the cup at the Retreat Center Instituto de Missioneras Seculares “Nuestra Señora del Quinche”. We went to the middle of the world (the equator) and joined hands as we joined spirit. We experienced three of the five themes of our Life in the Eucharist retreats – in three languages and one heart.
My faith has been strengthened, my commitment intensified, and my heart is overflowing with love and gratitude for the Eucharist, all my Eymardian family, and the whole world.
Mona Grigsby-Suarez, Co-Directress of CEE
Province of Saint Ann - U.S.A.