Organizers For 51st IEC Prepare For Some 15-K Participants

(PNA) — Organizers of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in 2016 to be held in Cebu are preparing for some 15,000 participants from all over the world.

Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, the secretary general of IEC 2016, said the Pontifical Committee in Vatican has chosen the Philippines again to host the IEC in 2016, after 79 years.

Manila hosted the 33rd IEC in 1937, the first congress held in Asia, with some 1.5 million participants.

“Among other Asian countries, the Philippines was chosen because it is the biggest Catholic nation in Asia. But among Philippine cities, since Manila had already been a host, I think now it is the turn of Cebu, Cebu being the ‘cradle of Christianity’,” Villarojo said.

“The faith here in Cebu is vibrant,” he said.

Villarojo cited as an example the celebration of the feast day of Senior Sto. Niño on the third week of January.

The IEC is a gathering of Catholics from all around the world. The celebration allows participants of different races to share their common faith in God.

The theme this year dubbed “Crist in You, our Hope of Glory” aims to instill the concept of hope amidst fighting in foreign nations.

Villarojo said the IEC is not exclusive for Catholics but to everyone who works for charity and evangelization.

Villarojo said the congress is “an opportunity to revitalize the faith of young people, especially to the Eucharist.”

He said that through strengthening faith, the youth will be better educated on how to properly live their lives.

He said they are open to the possibility that Pope Francis may attend the week-long celebration.

“We do prepare as if the pope is coming. We hope, but we have to be realistic. We do not dictate those matters,” he said.

Villarojo said one of their challenges in hosting the huge event is getting funds for their logistics.

The Duros Development Corp. shouldered the construction of the IEC 2016 Pavillon, where most of the activities will be held, in exchange for the usage of a land that the Cebu Archdiocese owns.

The IEC 2016, which will run from January 24 to 31, will kick off with an opening mass in Plaza Independencia in Cebu City. (PNA) FPV/EB