My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The recent papal visit has shown us how our Church is perhaps at its best when we gather together in prayer which expresses our unity and diversity. Having just returned from Lourdes, which I will write about next week, I invite you to consider another pilgrimage of importance, to take place in June: the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City. The First International Congress owed its inspiration to Bishop Gaston de Segur, and was held in Lille, France, in June of 1881. The theme of the International Congress will be “Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World.” I personally will lead the pilgrimage, which will depart on June 17 by plane to Vermont, where busses will take us to some of the religious shrines of Canada on our way to Quebec City.

On the first day we will visit St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, a beautiful shrine dedicated to St. Joseph and where many miracles have been attributed to Blessed Brother Andre Bessette. It was the belief of humble Brother Andre that all of the miracles there came through the intercession of St. Joseph. Remember the ancient admonition, “Ite ad Joseph” (“Go to Joseph”), the patriarch, as we call him, of the New Testament. This visit certainly will be memorable.

On the second day we will visit the Basilica of Notre Dame and the Old Seminary, the oldest building in Montreal. It was built by the Sulpician priests who trained many of the diocesan clergy around the world. We will then travel to Cape de la Madeleine and the sanctuary of Notre Dame du Cap, where we will have a Mass at the spot dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Then we will travel from Montreal to Quebec City.

During the following two days we will participate in all the catechesis, Eucharistic Adoration, processions and events sponsored by the Eucharistic Congress. Participants will be able to attend sessions offered in target language groups. Included in our tour will be all registration and transportation fees, along with admission to all events.

On the fourth day we will join with Justin Cardinal Rigali and all the pilgrims and Bishops from the United States for a special Mass at the Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre. The beautiful shrines of Canada will give us the opportunity to understand the devotion of the past, which will inspire our present devotion.
On the last day, Sunday, we will gather for the Grand Closing outdoor Mass with pilgrims from all over the world. At the conclusion we will depart back to Vermont for an overnight stay and farewell dinner. On Monday morning we will leave for New York City.

I encourage you to consider making this diocesan pilgrimage with us. For registration and information, contact Canterbury Tours at (800) 653-0017 or the Pilgrimage Office at (718) 965-7313 or Pilgrimages@rcdob.org.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Father Gerard Sauer, Diocesan Director of Pilgrimages, for arranging not only the recent Lourdes Pilgrimage and the World Youth Day to come, but this wonderful event in June. The Eucharist indeed is the center of our Christian life. Reflect on the words of John’s Gospel, “I am the living bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever, and the bread is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world.” This is truly taken to heart by our Catholic faith; we believe that Jesus is present with us and that He unites us together in the one Body of Christ, His Church.

The pilgrimage week in June will give anyone attending an opportunity to see the Church Universal and experience the unity of the Body of Christ. Every pilgrimage is an exercise of “putting out into the deep,” as we leave what is familiar to find what will challenge our faith and affirm it. If you cannot join us for the pilgrimage, join us in prayer as we make our devotion to the Eucharist concrete and real.