The Pilgrims' mission in Ireland

The 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland

A group of Pilgrims of St. Michael left Canada this past June to travel across the ocean to attend the 50th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Dublin, Ireland. Their mission was to promote their work for economic reform as seen in the light of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. The group consisted of Melvin Sickler, Brian Crowe, Mr. and Mrs. Yves Jacques, Marie Jacques, Janusz Lewicki, Lucie Parenteau, Marie Anne Jacques, and Fr. Martin Mannion. They were met by James Reidy and Evelyn Ward, who were very happy to welcome the Pilgrims to Ireland once again.

The Pilgrims had organized a booth to display their materials to pilgrims from all over the world to the Eucharistic Congress. After disembarking from the plane, the group made their way to Drogheda, in County Louth, which is located near Dublin. There they were given a warm welcome by the pastor of St. Mary's Church, right down the road from their lodgings.

Upon arrival at the Congress site in Dublin, the Pilgrims set up their booth. The pallet of MICHAEL magazines, leaflets, books, CD's, and other materials arrived just in time, despite some problems with customs. Our Lord and Blessed Mother were really in charge of this mission. Without the proper ammunition, it would be very difficult to accomplish their goals; Heaven was well aware of that!

The Pilgrims were joined at their booth by Lech Dokowicz from Poland, who was accompanied by a friend. They were advertizing and selling a film, very popular in Poland, about the Blessed Eucharist that they produced and directed, entitled: "I AM." Mr. Dokowicz's amazing testimony has already appeared in previous issues of MICHAEL magazine. (See page 30.) It is truly an incredible recounting of God's love and mercy. 

The opening Mass was celebrated by the Papal Legate, Cardinal Marc Ouellet from Quebec, Canada. The theme of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress was, "Communion with Christ and with One Another." Cardinal Ouellet set the tone for the Eucharistic Congress in his opening homily: "We come here as God's family, called by Him to listen to His holy Word, to remember who we are in light of salvation history and to respond to God through the greatest and most sublime prayer ever known to the world: the Holy Eucharist. May the Holy Spirit help us to be fully conscious of just how blessed and privileged we are." 

The following week was filled with experiences of spiritual communion with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, as well as homilies and teachings given by the cardinals, bishops and priests on different aspects of the faith. Many people passed by the Pilgrims'booth and asked questions about the Catholic perspective on monetary reform through economic democracy (Social Credit). The Irish economy is in chaos now, and the Irish people were quick to grasp the basic principles taught by Clifford Hugh Douglas and Louis Even. They know what it feels like to live without the basic necessities! 

The Pilgrims found the open mentality of the Irish people refreshing and were welcomed graciously wherever they went. All the materials that were on the pallet were distributed, and many subscriptions to the MICHAEL magazine were taken. Thanks to this event, people from every country, language and culture were able to meet and learn about the Pilgrims of St. Michael and the MICHAEL magazine.

Eucharistic procession and Statio Orbis

The Eucharistic procession that took place on Thursday inspired the Pilgrims, they saw how the faith in Ireland, despite the fierce attacks of secularism, atheism, and materialism; is still burning with the unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit. Many of the older people had tears running down their cheeks, as they beheld the long stream of pilgrims from around the world processing through the streets of Dublin, praying and singing hymns.

The Statio Orbis closing ceremony and Holy Mass took place at the huge stadium in Croke Park. Cardinal Marc Ouellet presided over the ceremony, giving a wonderful message of farewell:

"Jesus is the seed sowed by God Himself in the depths of the earth, a seed that fell to the earth, died and was raised to eternal life. From this smallest seed of salvation comes the Tree of Life, the Church, in which all of humanity is called to find a home and safety in the company of the risen Lord. 

"For this very reason, the Church is called, and we are called, to bear witness to the Lord by pleasing Him, that is, preaching the Gospel, living in fraternity and praising God for the gift of salvation. After this week of Eucharistic reflection, celebration and adoration, we are certainly more aware of God's call to communion with Him and with one another. Let us bear witness to this grace by calling others to faith in this communion. The Irish bell, which resounds from Lough Derg, from Knock and Dublin, must resound in the whole world. Let's ring the bell further through our personal testimony of renewed faith in the Holy Eucharist. Faith is the most precious gift we have received with Baptism. Let's not keep it private and fearful! Let it grow as a splendid tree through sharing everywhere!"

"Even if we are sometimes tested in our faith, do not be afraid, and remember who we are: the body of Christ intent on loving God over and above all things, intent on living in the Spirit of the new and eternal covenant. We are not alone; the Spirit of Pentecost dwells in us. The communion of saints, with Mary at its heart, comes to our assistance as soon as we have rung the bell of prayer in total confidence. Keep hope and be glad, for the kingdom of God is near!"

Message from Pope Benedict XVI

Everyone then listened to the message from Pope Benedict XVI, who made the announcement that the next International Eucharistic Congress, will be held in 2016 in the city of Cebu, in the Philippines. "Dear Brothers and Sisters, with great affection in the Lord, I greet all of you who have gathered in Dublin for the Fiftieth International Eucharistic Congress… The theme of the Congress – Communion with Christ and with One Another – leads us to reflect upon the Church as a mystery of fellowship with the Lord and with all the members of his body. From the earliest times the notion of koinonia or communio has been at the core of the Church's understanding of herself, her relationship to Christ her founder, and the sacraments she celebrates, above all the Eucharist.

"Based upon a deepening appreciation of the sources of the liturgy, the Council promoted the full and active participation of the faithful in the Eucharistic sacrifice. At our distance today from the Council Fathers'expressed desires regarding liturgical renewal, and in the light of the universal Church's experience in the intervening period, it is clear that a great deal has been achieved; but it is equally clear that there have been many misunderstandings and irregularities.

"The renewal of external forms, desired by the Council Fathers, was intended to make it easier to enter into the inner depth of the mystery. Its true purpose was to lead people to a personal encounter with the Lord, present in the Eucharist, and thus with the living God, so that through this contact with Christ's love, the love of his brothers and sisters for one another might also grow. Yet not infrequently, the revision of liturgical forms has remained at an external level, and "active participation" has been confused with external activity. … In a changed world, increasingly fixated on material things, we must learn to recognize anew the mysterious presence of the Risen Lord, which alone can give breadth and depth to our life.

"The Eucharist is the worship of the whole Church, but it also requires the full engagement of each individual Christian in the Church's mission; it contains a call to be the holy people of God, but also one to individual holiness; it is to be celebrated with great joy and simplicity, but also as worthily and reverently as possible; it invites us to repent of our sins, but also to forgive our brothers and sisters; it binds us together in the Spirit, but it also commands us in the same Spirit to bring the good news of salvation to others. 

"Moreover, the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross, his body and blood given in the new and eternal covenant for the forgiveness of sins and the transformation of the world. May he who breathed on the Apostles at Easter, communicating his Spirit to them, likewise bestow upon us his breath, the power of the Holy Spirit, and so help us to become true witnesses to his love, witnesses to the truth. His truth is love. Christ's love is truth."

The Pilgrims of St. Michael wish to thank all those who travelled to Ireland, both on mission and on a pilgrimage of faith. Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, our Lord and Savior, once again has brought His people together, to share their faith, experiences, knowledge and culture. The mission was a great success! They also wish to thank their great benefactors for this trip; James Reidy and Evelyn Ward. They could not have done it without your valuable help and support. Thank you so much, the Pilgrims hope to return to Ireland again soon! Go mbeannaí Dia thú! May God bless you!

                                         Marie Anne Jacques