Delegates and members of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congress are in Ireland this week preparing the event, which takes place every four years.
A national Eucharistic conference this month in Knock, Ireland, is part of the spiritual preparation for the international event.
The Knock gathering will take place June 25 and 26 and include the Knock Youth Festival, which is running at the same time as the Eucharistic congress.
Father Kevin Doran, secretary-general of the International Eucharistic Congress organizing committee, said: «The celebration in Knock is a chance to focus on the local community and the pastoral preparation in Ireland for the International Congress next year. The Congress is not just a once-off week of events in 2012 — but a journey of renewal for all of us.
«This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and to do something together — in communion — as one body.»
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On the Net:
To register for the International Eucharistic Congress: www.iec2012.ie