THE EUCHARISTIC ! CONGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 June 1939, Page 3

THE EUCHARISTIC ! CONGRESS

INTERESTING HISTORICAL DETAILS THE BIG WELLINGTON GATHERING IN FEBRUARY What are Eucharistic Congresses? Where and how did they begin? From time to time, there are accounts of these enormous assemblages of members of the Catholic Church in various parts of the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of people from distant countries and invariably attended by many ecclesiastical dignitaries. Eucharistic Congresses may be local, national or international. The one which is to be held in Wellington next February is called the National Eucharistic Congress, harmonising with the celebration of the New Zealand Centennial, but it will also be international, in the sense that it will attract important personages, notably a Cardinal Legate representing, Pope Pius XII, and many people from oversea. The Eucharistic Congress, in essence a public affirmation of honour by Catholics to the Sacred Host, will, in fact, be the most profound tribute paid by members of that Church as their contribution toward the national celebrations.

Actually, Eucharistic Congresses, as organised celebrations by multitudes of people, are of comparatively recent origin, and it has been said that the history of their establishment is the life story of a French girl, Marie Tamisier. Daughter of a wealthy family of Tours, Mile. Tamisier, while experiencing no call to join a religious congregation. was noted for her devotion to the central feature of her religion, the Mass. She voluntarily submitted to poverty, and, noting the popularity of religious pilgrimages in France some 70 years ago, it seemed to her that pilgrimages in honour of the Sacred Host would at once be an inspiration to the people and an affirmation of faith. Extraordinarily enthusiastic, the young woman enlisted powerful support, including that of two Cardinals, and the first pilgrimage was held at Avignon in 1873. Various pilgrimages followed at different places in France, until it was suggested that congresses with a more elaborate organisation should be conducted. Marie Tamisier’s endeavours in Belgium and Holland, as

well as France, were not without difficulties, and it was not until 1881 that the first Eucharistic Congress was held at Lille. The assemblage was only 3003 persons, but they represented nine nations. The express purpose of the congress was to increase devotion in order to resist the active forces of irreligion of the day. Marie Tamisier died in 1910, but Eucharistic Congresses have become world-wide events. In her lifetime, the movement extended to congresses in Switzerland, Belgium, England, Palestine, Germany, Italy and Canada. A congress in Montreal saw some 800,000 people present at the final Benediction. Congresses have been held throughout Europe—the last was in Budapest—in Africa, America, Australia and the Far East.

Manila, in the Phillipine Islands, was the scene of the most recent congress in the Pacific region. At the c<y»gress in Sydney in 1928, there were assemblages of more than 100.000 people at the various ceremonies, and no fewer than half a million were present at the final Benediction.

While New Zealand cannot hope to rival the attendance recorded in larger countries, there is no reason to expect comparable enthusiasm to be lacking during the event in Wellington. From the humble efforts of Marie Tamisier, Eucharistic Congresses have grown tremendously in importance. It must be remembered, however, that the devotion organised by the young Frenchwoman remains the essential motive and attraction, no matter the development of the externals.