Quito, Ecuador, 09 September, 2024 / 7:36 pm (ACI Africa).
In an atmosphere of celebration, joy, and devotion, some 25,000 people, including 1,600 children in white robes and traditional costumes who received their first Communion, participated Sunday in the opening Mass of the 2024 International Eucharistic Congress in Quito, Ecuador.
From the early hours of the morning of Sept. 8, a multitude of faithful began to congregate on the esplanade of Bicentennial Park in Quito accompanied by archbishops, priests, men and women religious, seminarians, deacons, and altar servers, among others. In total, 54 delegations from different countries participated.
Shortly after 10 a.m. local time, the Mass began on a huge stage featuring an image of the Virgin of El Quinche adorned with dozens of red and yellow flowers. The Mass was celebrated by the archbishop of Quito and primate of Ecuador, Alfredo José Espinoza Mateus, who during his homily told the children that this was “a day of celebration, a great day in their lives.”
“This memory will remain engraved in your hearts for life and you will be able to say with certainty that you are the ‘Eucharistic missionaries’ of our Church in Quito and grow knowing that you are called to build fraternity, starting in your own families,” said the prelate, alluding to the theme of the congress: “Fraternity to Heal the World.”