Thousands in Georgia and beyond join in Eucharistic Congress

Published: 2004-06-21

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (CNS) -- More than 23,000 people gathered at the Georgia International Convention Center June 12 to participate in the ninth annual Eucharistic Congress, a daylong event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The day, which was dedicated to the central sacrament of the Catholic faith, brought together the faithful from all over north Georgia and as far away as Florida, Alabama and Pennsylvania to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi and the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The congress was held just two days after Pope John Paul II declared 2005-06 to be the "Year of the Eucharist." Although they spoke a variety of languages -- English, Spanish, French, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog and others -- all the participants spoke the language of God in their prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of Christ in the Eucharist. The theme of this year's congress was "To Live in Christ Jesus," the motto and prayer taken directly from Atlanta Archbishop John F. Donoghue's coat of arms.

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