Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

Notes and Photos of the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress in Quito, Ecuador

Highlights and Photos by Father John Thomas Lane SSS from the International Eucharistic Congress in Quito, Ecuador

For the first time, the Sacramentinos Americas Conference (members from the three provinces of USA – Argentina/Brazil/Chilé – Colombia/Peru) gathered during the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress. The provincials, Father Carlos Sierra Rodriguez SSS (Colombia), Father Marcelo Silva SSS (Brazil), Father John Thomas Lane SSS (USA) and the other delegates from these provinces had a dream at the November 2023 General Chapter in Vietnam: as part of the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), gather the Eymardian Family and have a Life in the Eucharist Retreat (LITE) for all who can attend. This would be led by the USA Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing Office (CEE) and its Co-director Mona Grigsby-Suarez, Associates, and other SSS from the Sacramentinos Americas Conference (SAC) such as Fathers Elibien Joseph SSS (Peru) and Jaime Ario Rodriguez Reyes, SSS (Houston/USA – Colombia). General Consultor and former delegate to the General Chapter in Vietnam, Father Francisco Junior Marquez SSS (Brazil), would support and assist in organizing the leg work with Father Marcelo for Quito, finding a place to live during the IEC. And so the dream became a reality this past week during the IEC with members from the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia participating – lay and vowed members.

Saturday, September 14, we began the LITE day with a special Mass in honor of our Saint Peter Julian Eymard. Father Elibien preached to open the retreat. Father Francisco presided with special concelebrant Father Tonny, who assisted.

We were in the right place for the procession with the Blessed Sacrament that weaved through the streets of the old city of Quito. The streets were lined with people singing, rose petals tossed to honor the Risen Lord, flags, and different parish groups gathering and deeply engaged.

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