Flashmob in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica - 500 days until the day

There are exactly 500 days left until the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), that is to be organized in Hungary between 13 and 20 September 2020. On this occasion a choir of 500 children sang prais to God in Budapest, in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica on Thursday. Members of the choir wore the motto of the IEC on their T-shirts: "All my springs are in you".

"Our motto comes from the last line of Psalm 87. In the previous lines the psalm talks about Jerusalem, about the fact that all nations were born there. Egyptians, Babylonians – everyone who was considered a stranger at that time. This means that we have to be more open hearted to other nations than we used to be.” – summarized the core pastoral message of next year’s Congress Cardinal Péter Erdő, responsible host of the event, who was also present on this festive event of starting the 500-day countdown.

Counting down the days is not an exaggeration: the International Eucharistic Congress bears an enormous significance. This kind of congress has only been organized once in Hungary, in 1938. September 2020 will be the 52nd occasion when Catholics and everyone, who wants to rejoice in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament gather from all around the world. It means that this Congress – although the name suggests a very scientific and distant content – will mean a celebration rather than a scientific conference. IEC will be a whole week of various colourful and free programs: open air Masses, concerts, historical sightseeings and family programs will be offered to help participants experience the real presence of Jesus Christ and reconsiliate with one another.

Importance of the event is also highlighted by the fact that members and national delegates of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses will come to Budapest, the Hungarian capital next week (between 8 and 11 May) to visit the key venues of the 2020 Congress (Hungexpo, Heroes’ Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Kossuth Square and the city of Esztergom). Delagates will be informed of planned programs and progress of the preparations, and will be officially greeted by János Áder, President of Hungary, and welcome in the Houses of Parliament by László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly.

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