We felt, as if we were dreaming

Dear Mr. President of Hungary,

Your Excellencies,

Dear Brothers in the Priesthood,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great joy for me to welcome here in Budapest the president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, his colleagues and the representatives of the world’s bishops’ conferences, who prepare with us the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress.

When listening to the message of Pope Francis after the closing mass of the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City in 2016 we felt, as if we were dreaming.

Because it was an old dream, that after the International Eucharistic Congress of 1938 the Catholic world shall meet again in Budapest and express our reverence and adoration towards Christ present in the Eucharist. Back then we felt that 2020 is very far from us, and that we have a long time for the preparations. But even then we already knew that a great amount of prayers and work is needed to conclude the event in Budapest with such a success and pastoral joy, what I have seen in the eyes of Archbishop Palma, host of the Congress of Cebu.

But now we have arrived to the final part of the organisation. We started the countdown a few days ago with a flashmob, with a child-choir of 500 in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, because we only have 500 days until the Congress in Budapest.

The earlier preparations have been made. The General Secretariat of the International Eucharistic Congress has been formed, the Bishops’ Conference regularly keeps an eye on the subject, and – just like the Archdiocese – the Conference has also made financial contribution to the preparations. In the pastoral preparation of the International Eucharistic Congress the Mission Cross, which contains the relics of the saints and blessed of Hungary and of the neighbouring countries, plays a significant role. This cross was blessed by Pope Fancis during the Ad limina visit of our bishops’ conference, and after this it started its journey from the Cathedral of Esztergom into the different cities of Hungary and to the neighbouring countries. There were solemn masses, adorations, spiritual retreats, lectures and concerts held wherever the Cross arrived, and the life of the saints and martyrs, whose remembrance is carried by this cross was also introduced. We also ask their intercession for the success of the Congress. After every mass on Saturdays we pray together for the Congress, so that it may serve for the spiritual renewal of our city, country, Europe and the world. Fr. Kornél Fábry and others travel around Hungary and the neighbouring countries and hold lectures on the theme of the Congress. There is a special pastoral program for each and every year.

Religious orders and spiritual movements have also joined in the preparations. The theological document of the Congress has been prepared by our committee of experts, it was approved and published in Italian by the Holy See, and we have issued it in Hungarian language in great number of copies. We have also published a collection of the papal manifestations on the Eucharist and many other publications. About the multitude of pastoral, artistic and cultural programs our colleagues will inform you in the following days. The preparatory materials of the Congress are available and easy to find both on the internet and on Facebook.

It is important to mention that Hungary considers the Congress as its own. We have received great financial subsidization for restoration of church buildings and programs from the government of Hungary. We owe a special thanks to János Áder, the President of Hungary, who looks after the works of the preparation with a personal and caring love. We gladly welcome him among us and thank him for addressing the members of the conference.

For the coming phase of the Congress’ preparation I wish God’s blessing for all participants! Thank you for your attention!

Photo: Marcsi Ambrus

IEC Secretariat