Members of the public and pilgrims at the upcoming 50^th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2012) from 10-17 June 2012 will have the opportunity to recreate the sights and sounds of 1932 with the unveiling of a rare and unique exhibition.

 

Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, and Mr Fonsie Mealy, President of the RDS will launch the exhibition of 1932 Eucharistic Congress memorabilia at the RDS Library on Thursday 31 May 2012 at 6pm.

 

“A day off school,” “An extraordinary feeling,” “It changed people”…just some of the memories from a number of people who attended in 1932 and who will also be present at the exhibition launch.

 

The exhibition, called ‘Christo Regi in Honorem’, meaning ‘In honour of Christ the King’ will feature an audio visual component provided by Mr Peter Dunn of the Radharc Trust. The film consists of original footage from 1932 with voiceovers recounting memories of those who had attended the event. There will also be a sanctuary scene with a set of vestments used during the Congress in 1932 and embroidered by Lilly and Lottie Yeats, Sisters of the Artist Jack B. Yeats and Writer William Butler Yeats.

 

Other exciting additions include a display of uniforms worn by the Scouts in 1932 and the Scout’s flag, a section on religious ceremonies held in the Phoenix Park and O’Connell Bridge, the arrival of the Papal Legate, Cardinal Lauri.

 

This is your rare opportunity to experience what was happening on Dublin’s streets and around the country at a unique time for our emerging nation.

 

The exhibition will be displayed in the RDS Library, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, and open to the public from Tuesday 5 June until Friday 8 June.  It will be accessible only to pilgrims attending IEC2012 during Congress Week but will re-open again to the public on Monday 18 June until Friday 22 June.  Opening times are from 10am – 5pm and admission is free. A specially commissioned commemorative booklet of the 1932 exhibition will be on sale for €5.

 

Ends

 

Further information:

 

 

• Aisling Harmey, Media Relations Manager, 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, Tel: 00353 (01) 234 9903    Mob: 00353 (0) 87 137 2447   

 

Email: press@iec2012.ie

 

 

• Aoife Connors, Media Officer, 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012,

 

Tel: 00353 (01) 234 9940    Mob: 00353 (0) 87 628 0580   

 

Email: pressofficer@iec2012.ie

 

Notes for Editors:

 

 

• The 50^th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 will take place in Dublin from 10 – 17 June 2012 with up to 25,000 pilgrims expected to attend each day at the RDS, including 12,000 international pilgrims representing more than 120 different countries.

 

• IEC2012 will transform the RDS into a Eucharistic Village for an eight day festival of faith and culture. The Eucharist will be celebrated in the Liturgy and adored in the Prayer Space.

 

• The Congress is an international gathering of people, held every four years somewhere in the world, which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church; to help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist. These aims are achieved through a programme of pastoral preparation in the years leading up to the Congress and a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops over the course of one week.  Previous Congresses took place in Quebec (2008) and Guadalajara (2004)

 

• The theme of the Congress is ‘The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one Another’ (Communion – like Solidarity – means a relationship of mutual love and self-giving).

 

• On 17 June, more than 80,000 people are expected to gather and celebrate Statio Orbis, the Final Mass, of the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 at Croke Park Stadium.

 

• There are a total of 223 keynote speakers as part of the IEC2012 programme of events, which includes 38 speakers in the main arena delivering Catechesis (teaching), personal testimonies, homilies and addresses.

 

• A total of 144 presenters will deliver workshops during Congress week

 

• There are 41 speakers delivering addresses at the Chiara Luce Youth Space for young people between 17 and 25 years old.

 

• A total of 160 workshops including talks, addresses, group reflections, meetings, concerts and plays

 

• The full programme is available at: https://www.iec2012.ie/programme

 

• For more information: www.iec2012.ie

 

• Registration for the Congress is now live on https://www.iec2012.ie/registration