Over 10,000 Catholics from all over Ghana are expected to participate in the Fourth Eucharistic Congress to be held in Jasikan from August 7 to 13, 2017 on the theme: The Eucharist and the New Evangelization.
Launching the Congress on behalf of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference at the St. Peter Claver Cathedral in Jasikan on February 26, Most Rev. Gabriel A. A. Mante, Bishop of Jasikan, said the participants will take part in a series of catechism sessions that focus on different dimensions of the Eucharist, daily celebration and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Processions and Durbars.
He noted that the event would also have a Study-session for 250 National Delegates, made up of Priests, Religious, youth, men and women, from all the 20 Dioceses which are expected to sponsor ten persons each for the Study Session.
Topics for the Study Session include: The Eucharist and our Care of the Environment, The Eucharist and the Social Media, The Eucharist and the Church’s Dialogue with the Youth, The Eucharist and the Church’s Dialogue with the Poor, the Sick and the Suffering, The Eucharist and the Family, The Eucharist makes the Church, and the Church makes the Eucharist.
Bishop Mante said “while we wait with interior preparation and in great expectation for the national event, the various Dioceses will organise events locally to mark, celebrate and raise awareness of the 4th National Eucharistic Congress.”
He stated that the primary objective of the Congress was to take advantage of the 60th Independence Anniversary of Ghana to rededicate the Republic of Ghana and her citizens to the Eucharistic Love of Jesus Christ.
The Bishop said it was also to help all delegates, pilgrims and participants of the Congress to reflect the social implications of the Eucharist so that the influence and the fruit of “our celebration and adoration will permeate our entire personal and social lives.”
He explained that a Eucharistic Congress is a celebration of the Catholic Church which brings the people of God together specifically to raise awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
It is also to pray and adore the Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, help and improve our understanding of the celebration of the Eucharist, draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist; and use the centrality of the Eucharist to effect integral transformation.
In thanking the people of the Diocese, he added that “As host, my dear Catholics of Jasikan, you will prepare the ground for our brothers and sisters who are coming to pray and study with us. You will make your homes and other facilities available and express your generosity to them. We trust you will do very well in these endeavours.”
The Bishop commended the members of the National Planning and the Local Organising Committees for their steadfastness and prayed that their efforts would manifest in a successful Congress. Earlier, the Committee held a meeting and visited the Congress grounds.
Rev. Fr. Wisdom Larweh is the Acting Chairman of the National Steering Committee.
Since 1951, the Church in Ghana has organised three Congresses in Kumasi, from February 19-26, 1951; Tamale, from January 5 – 11, 1998; and again in Kumasi, from November 18 – 21, 2005.
By Damian Avevor, Jasikan
