The opening mass was concelebrated by 100 bishops and some 300 priests. The participants filled Heroes' Square and a part of Andrássy Avenue.Continue reading
The one-week-long 52nd World Eucharistic Congress began on Sunday in Budapest, during which numerous interesting accompanying programs will take place for non-believers as well. From September 5-12, more than sixty artists from almost forty countries will come to the Hungarian capital for the World Congress.
This article was originally posted on our sister site, Ungarn Heute.
Even before the beginning of the Congress, the Eucharistic Days took place in Balatonfüred with boat excursions, holy mass, procession, and concerts, and in Tihany between September 3rd and 4th. On September 1st, a holy mass was held in Budapest’s St. Stephen’s Basilica in the Lovari language, and on September 4th you can watch and listen to a concert by Jewish and Christian performers in the spirit of mutual dialogue.
On the eve before the congress, 5,000 people in need attended feasts around the country, with 600 in Budapest.
On September 4th, as part of the opening ceremony (opening mass), the Weiner-Leó School orchestra, an almost thousand-member choir, the united choir of the singing schools, the choirs of the Zoltán Kodály Hungarian Choir School, and a children’s choir all performed during the First Communion of several thousand children. The event was also the Veni Sancte of the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest.
The Ars Sacra Festival, which runs during the week of the World Congress, awaits its guests with numerous exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events. The programs include an ecumenical event that will take the form of a giant cross in the heart of Budapest: various artists will perform in the four Christian churches of the Hungarian capital.
The square in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica will be the scene of productions, a mass, the St. Stephen’s Book Week, and the presentation of Hungaricums throughout the week.
Witness reports and demonstrations will take place throughout the week at the Hungexpo Exhibition Center.
On the very first day, the Franciscan monk, Csaba Böjte, gave a lecture entitled “On hope: the faith of Christ is our faith.” He also presented his pastoral work with children.
Father Kornél Fábry, the secretary general of the Church Relationship Management, also commented on the events beforehand, saying:
“In recent decades, the two events have been held in the same year every four years, and now both have been delayed a year due to the coronavirus epidemic. We could also call the Eucharistic Congress a spiritual Olympics, with the difference that everyone who enters here will definitely win.”
On September 6th, visitors can watch a concert put on by the Csík Band in the Erkel Theater and the Szent Efrém men’s choir in the Vigadó. The 100-member gypsy band will perform in the Erkel Theater on September 8th, the Orthodox Choir of the Moscow Patriarchate will perform in the Music Academy on September 9th.
A family day with concerts and talks will be organized on September 11th on Margaret Island.
At the Vigadó you can also see exhibitions on the history of Catholic Caritas, on the never-before-seen treasures of the Greek Catholic Church, and the World Eucharistic Congress in Budapest in 1938.
Source: turizmus.hu, Featured image: iec2020.hu