Pope to bless eucharistic congress ark before it tours Canada

Published: 2006-04-04

QUEBEC CITY (CNS) -- To inspire, excite and prepare Canadian Catholics for the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress, an ark is being created and will travel first to Rome, then to dioceses around Canada, said Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet. The "Ark of the New Covenant," a chest covered with iconic images related to the Eucharist, will be blessed in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI when the Quebec bishops visit in early May, Cardinal Ouellet said March 30. After the ark is blessed by the pope, it will be brought back to Quebec City, where it will start its cross-Canada journey at a youth summit scheduled for May 19-22, he said. Up to 20,000 people, mostly from North America, are expected to gather in Quebec City June 15-22, 2008, to celebrate the eucharistic congress as part of the 400th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the city. A team of four Catholics will transport the ark from Quebec City to other dioceses across Canada.

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