For Immediate Release: November 6, 2020
Catholic Diocese of Richmond Holds First Eucharistic Congress as Part of Bicentennial Celebration
Highlights Include Keynote Presentation from Cardinal-Designate Wilton D. Gregory, Virtual Mass and Holy Hour
(RICHMOND, Va.) – The Catholic Diocese of Richmond will host its first Eucharistic Congress, the pinnacle of the bicentennial celebration in 2020, during the weekend of Nov. 6-7. Originally planned to take place at the Richmond Convention Center, the event was adapted to meet COVID-19 precautions to protect clergy and the faithful.
Bishop Barry C. Knestout
“Our desire to highlight the goodness and beauty of our faith expressed over 200 years has been constantly before us. At the same time, I could not fail to add the setting for these celebrations as we have experienced a jarring contrast, between the celebration we desire, and the anxieties that a historic situation of a pandemic and shutdowns have placed before us,” explained Bishop Barry C. Knestout. “We have adapted the plans for this Eucharistic Congress because of these challenging circumstances. The greater portion of this Congress is taking place virtually.”
Friday night will begin with opening remarks from Bishop Knestout at 7:30. Keynote presentations in English and Spanish will begin at 8 p.m. Cardinal-designate Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop of Washington, will be the keynote speaker for the English track. Bishop Luis R. Zarama of Raleigh will be the keynote speaker for the Spanish track.
Bishop Knestout will be the principal celebrant at 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Peter Catholic Church, Richmond, on Saturday, Nov. 7. Readings will be done in Spanish and Vietnamese to reflect the diversity of the diocese.
“For over 200 years the people of the Church of Richmond have transformed the unforgiving, hostile wilderness and vast territory of the diocese into a refuge of the presence of God,” said Bishop Knestout. “For over 200 year the Church of Richmond has brought the unity of the faith to the chaotic broken world, so that the power of God would conquer everything that harms the dignity of the human person.”
A Holy Hour for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, at 11 a.m. Parishes across the Diocese of Richmond are encouraged to hold a Holy Hour as a coordinated effort for the faithful who are unable to attend the Eucharistic Congress in person.
Among the leaders of the Catholic Church who will be in attendance for this historic event include Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States of America; Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore; and Cardinal-designate Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop of Washington.
Nationally known speakers will present on the bicentennial themes of communion and mission in English, Spanish and Vietnamese on Saturday afternoon. Virtual activities and tracks for children, persons with disabilities, youth and young adults will also be available.
A schedule of events and additional information about the speakers and presentations is available here. Media are invited to tune into the live broadcast of the virtual Mass and Holy Hour on the diocesan Facebook page.
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