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What is the International Eucharistic Congress and why it is to be held here in Cebu, Philippines A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people aimed at promoting an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church. The Roman Ritual De Sacra Communione et de Cultu Mysterii Eucharistici extra Missam defines the Congress as “a pause for commitment and prayer to which a particular Church invites the universal Church”. During this time “the celebration of the Eucharist becomes the center and vortex of all forms of piety, of theological and pastoral reflections, of social commitment”. The Congress normally takes place every four years. Eucharistic Congresses are not the same everywhere. They are characterized by a life of faith and by the culture and tradition of a particular country. All these must be seen during the Congress. The choice of the Philippines as the next venue for the congress was announced by Pope...

Today, we commemorate the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Bible speaks of Mount Carmel as the place Elijah prayed to God, asking strength to continue his mission to proclaim that there is only one God. To lead the people of Israel away from false Gods and to bring them closer to Yahweh. Simon Stock received an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary asking him to spread the news about Jesus Christ and start wearing the scapular as a sign of one's dedication to the teaching of the Gospel and to protect from the snare of the evil one even at the time of death Wearing the scapular, one is reminded by three things: 1. Life of Chastity. One, whatever is the state of life can be chaste, even the married one withou the prejudice to the obligation of being a husband or wife. It is a state of life wherein one is free from impure thoughts. 2. Act of Charity. Yesterday's Gospel remind us of the good Samaritan. Act of charity in different manner according to one's ca...