Fancy spending a day in the life of an inner-city Dublin Parish, learning about the faith traditions of travelling people, or exploring the theme of reconciliation with refugees? This summer the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2012) offers young people the opportunity to explore all of these experiences by participating in the MAGIS Ireland Congress programme.
‘Go Deeper – Experience the MAGIS During IEC2012’ gives young people an opportunity to understand the daily Congress themes in an interactive way through visits to different parishes and social initiatives in Dublin’s inner city.
Anna Keegan, IEC2012 Youth Programme Officer, explained: “The Magis programme shows us Eucharist in action; reminding us how, as part of our Christian call, we are asked to serve others. The Magis programme also shows how the congress is not just about one group of people but extends out beyond the venue to engage with the whole community, inviting everyone to be an active participant.”
Highlights of the MAGIS IEC2012 programme:
- Monday 11 June, tour Christian Churches in Dublin City and meet young people from other Christian traditions to share the faith
- Wednesday 13 June, spend a day in the life of an inner-city Dublin parish or a day in the life of the travelling community learning about minority cultures
- Thursday 14 June, experience reconciliation by walking and talking along Howth Head or hanging out with young refugees in Dublin
- Friday 15 June, explore the theme of suffering and healing with people living with HIV/AIDS at Open Heart House or with the L’Arche community – a day of listening, conversation, fun, food, faith and friendship
- Saturday 16 June, explore the theme of ‘The Word’ by visiting Spirit Radio and consider how meetings matter to God whether it’s GAA or AA, you’ll never approach them the same way again. Otherwise become a reporter for a day by joining the Irish Catholic newspaper to listen, hear and report on Congress events and the different ways people experience and give expression to faith in God.
The MAGIS programme is part of the Chiara Luce Youth Space programme at IEC2012 running in the RDS from 11-16 June 2012. It is open to all 18-35 year olds. Any young person registered as a pilgrim for the Congress can participate in the MAGIS Ireland youth programme during Congress week. Places are strictly limited and preference each day will be given to those who have not been involved on previous days.
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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 50th 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 up to 12,000 international pilgrims representing more than 99 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 50th 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
