GUADALAJARA, Mexico, JULY 16, 2004 (Zenit.org).- In preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress this October, 400 seminarians in Guadalajara are visiting families in the archdiocese to promote and renew faith in the Blessed Sacrament.
“Every morning, in groups of about 20 to 40, the seminarians set off to different parishes,” Father Francisco González, prefect of studies at San José Seminary, told the Vatican agency Fides.
“From there, in smaller groups, they go to visit homes to pray and reflect with the family members according to a program worked out previously with the parish priest,” the priest said.
“In the afternoons the seminarians animate meetings in the parish for children, married couples, young people: catechesis, games, moments of prayer and reflection on a particular aspect of the Eucharist following indications issued by the congress’s Central Organizing Committee with the help of handbooks and other especially prepared material,” he added.
Father Antonio González Cornejo, canon at the Guadalajara cathedral, said there is growing enthusiasm as the Eucharistic Congress approaches.
“There are many initiatives and activities at both parish and diocesan level,” he said. “Small Eucharistic Congresses are being organized all over Mexico for parishes or special groups like students, university teachers, catechists, married couples, etc.”
At the parish level, another initiative to encourage devotion to the Eucharist is “The Siege of Jericho.”
The initiative is based on the Bible story of the seven-day siege on Jericho which ends when the walls of the city fall. A parish holds seven days and nights of perpetual adoration during which the people are asked to pray that the Lord will break down the walls which prevent each person from living a truly Christian life.
