The Archdiocese of Mount Hagen was the generous host to thousands of Catholic faithful, the Bishops with the clergy and religious who gathered at the Rebiamul Cathedral grounds for the First National Eucharistic Congress.
(Procession around Mount Hagen on Sunday December 15)
Held from December 12 – 15, 2024 with the theme: Kam! Yumi Adorim Em!, the four – day spiritually uplifting event had a variety of programs centred around the Holy Eucharist.
The program officially began on Thursday December 12 with an array of processions by the different Dioceses taking part in the National Eucharistic Congress into the Rebiamul Cathedral grounds followed by adoration.
Present at the opening program along the with the Most Reverend Archbishops and Bishops was the Governor for Western Highlands Province Honourable Wai Rapa.
Chargé d’affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature Mons Federico Boni in his remarks extended the Holy Father’s message of blessings and thanksgiving to the people and the Church of PNG and Solomon Islands for their gift during the Papal Visit and wished everyone God’s blessings for the first National Eucharistic Congress.
In his message, Governor Rapa welcomed the pilgrims from other dioceses to his province and acknowledged the Catholic Church for playing a major role in service delivery to the people of Western Highlands Province and pledged to continue working in partnership with the church in the future.
“Like other churches in Western Highlands Province, the Catholic Church has brought much – needed service to my people and as the Governor, I will continue to support the work of the churches and their activities and continue to work with them to bring service to my people”.
In his welcoming remarks to the pilgrims, Most Reverend Archbishop Douglas Young SVD from the hosting Archdiocese welcomed everyone who journeyed to Rebiamul to part take in the first National Eucharistic Congress.
“While we are humbled to welcome you to the Archdiocese of Mount Hagen, we also remember those who cannot be here due to financial constraints and other reasons but have reassured us of their prayers and those who will be joining us in spirit”.
(Most Reverend Archbishop Douglas Young SVD taking lead in the adoration after the procession.)
A lovely evening candlelight procession was held in the evening with thousands of candles burning with hope and silent prayers before everyone retired for the evening in preparation for the next day’s activities.
Activities for Friday December 13 began with an opening Mass that had Most Reverend Coadjutor Archbishop Clement Papa from Mount Hagen Archdiocese as the principal celebrant followed by the first catechesis facilitated by Fr Savio Angelo Sanchez SDB.
In his homily, Coadjutor Archbishop Papa stressed on the Eucharist being the food that is shared in memory of Christ by reflecting on the last supper.
Reflecting on the local context of families and communities sharing food and each other’s company during feasts to show their ‘oneness’ in these human experiences and journey and encouraged all faithful to take this human experience and apply it in their Christian lives.
Leading the faithful through the catechesis on Understanding the Holy Mass, Fr Angelo took the congregation through a spiritual journey and invited them to explore the profound mysteries and divine beauty embedded within the Holy Mass. To complement his talk, Fr Angelo led the faithful in moments of singing.
The second catechesis was given by Sr Mary Altar of Sacrifice SSVM from the Diocese of Vanimo on The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The session provided a comprehensive understanding of the Eucharist as more than a symbolic act but a direct encounter with the living Christ and had the people listening with great interest and humility under the unforgiving highlands heat.
The last catechesis for the day on The Eucharist and the Youth was presented by Fr Pedro Sachitula SDB and provided a unique opportunity for youth to explore the richness of the Eucharistic celebration, discovering its relevance and significance in their lives.
The day concluded with an evening adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by praise and worship.
The activities for Saturday December 14 began with a Holy Mass that had Most Reverend Archbishop Anton Bal from Madang Archdiocese as the Principal Celebrant.
In his homily, Most Reverend Archbishop Anton Bal highlighted the importance of servant leadership and stressed on the importance of honoring Jesus who is present in the Holy Eucharist.
“We are here to take part in the mass and not just be spectators. Therefore, we are here to offer ourselves with our intentions. Our intentions represent us and the status of our lives, whether it is thanksgiving or our dreams and challenges. When we offer ourselves, the priest brings our offertories to the Altar of Sacrifice and offers them to the Lord during the consecration of the Holy Eucharist”
Bishop Dariusz Kaluza MSF from Bougainville Diocese began the series of catechesis for the day with a wonderful talk on the Eucharist as Communion, Participation and Mission highlighting the Church in the synodal.journey led by ‘Communion, Participation and Mission’. At the same time, the Church has always affirmed that the Eucharist is the source and culmination of the Christian life.
Following that was another enriching talk on the Eucharist and the Bible by Reverend Dr Christian Sieland from the Diocese of Kundiawa highlighting how the bible talks about the Eucharist, both explicitly and figuratively. Reverend Dr Sieland also shared that the Bible points to the Eucharist starting from the sacrifice of Melchizedek in Genesis to the banquet of the Lamb in the Apocalypse.
Concluding the series of talks was the dynamic Bishop Walenty Gryk SVD from the Diocese of Goroka with the theme: The Eucharist and Mission. He highlighted that on one hand, the Eucharist sends us on our mission and on the other hand is the secret of every apostolate. The talk helped the faithful to discover how the Eucharist makes our efforts flourish and bear fruit. Providing moving testimonies to accompany the Bishop’s talk were representatives from his Diocese talking about their work in the church as children, young people, religious and lay men and women in the families.
Activities for the first National Eucharistic Congress culminated with a grand procession with the Holy Eucharist around Mount Hagen on Sunday December 15 followed by a Solemn Thanksgiving mass that had His Eminence John Cardinal Ribat MSC as the main celebrant. The procession started at St Paul’s Parish and concluding at the Rebiamul Cathedral grounds. People of all ages took part in the colorful and somber procession in their respective dioceses with songs and prayers of reverence to the Holy Eucharist.
In his homily, His Eminence stressed on the importance of having a profound faith and reverence to Jesus’ presence in the blessed sacrament making reference to the well-renowned Catholic convert Scott Hahn and his testimony.
(The faithful taking part in the procession.)
He concluded by encouraging everyone to have a special relationship with Jesus by receiving him in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
In the concluding remarks, Archbishop Douglas Young SVD thanked everyone for fully participating in all the organized activities and encouraged everyone to go back to their respective parishes and dioceses and inspire those that did not have the opportunity to attend the event.
While sharing the same sentiments as Archbishop Douglas Young SVD, chairperson of the First National Eucharistic Congress Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap from the Diocese of Mendi extended his word of appreciation to the hosting Archdiocese and thanked the people on the ground for their tireless efforts in ensuring all pilgrims were well-taken care of.
While the participants eagerly anticipated the announcement of the next National Eucharistic Congress, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference Bishop Otto Separy clarified that information on the next National Eucharistic Congress will be disclosed on a later date.
The four-day event concluded with the final blessing and a group picture before everyone received a special memento of the program – a pendant of the Holy Eucharist in the monstrance before journeying back to their respective dioceses spiritually enriched.
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