On Monday, June 11, during the week of the International Eucharistic Congress here in Dublin, I shall be giving a talk entitled “Apostle of the Trenches: The Life and Spirituality of Fr William Doyle SJ” in parish hall of St Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Dublin 2. St Kevin’s has been especially designated as the Congress host church for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

The talk will take place at 8.15pm, all are welcome and admission is free. This talk is part of the free “Congress Extends to the City” programme. However, you do not need to be registered for the International Eucharistic Congress events in the RDS in order to attend. If you read this site and live in Dublin, or will be travelling to attend the Congress, do please come along. More details of the other events taking place at St Kevin’s during the week of the Congress can be found here: http://www.latinmassdublin.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Eucharistic_Congress.pdf

Of special note is the Pontifical High Mass celebrated by the Archbishop Terrence Prendergast SJ on Monday at 9.30am and a talk on Friday June 15^th at 8.15pm on Eucharistic Spirituality by Dom Mark Kirby OSB, prior of the newly established Silverstream Priory in County Meath. Dom Kirby is the well known author of the Vultus Christi blog and is himself an admirer of Fr Doyle.

There are many interesting events and seminars that are taking place during the week of the Congress, especially in parishes around Dublin. These events are all free, and one does not need to register for the Congress itself in order to attend.

For example, the Congress coincides with the Novena to the Sacred Heart and there will be a variety of interesting reflections in the Jesuit Church in Gardiner Street. http://www.gardinerstparish.ie/

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Merrion Road (under the care of priests of Opus Dei) has an especially interesting and full programme of events, including perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, confessions for 12 hours each day and a number of exhibitions and talks. This church is very close to the main RDS site and a special marquee is being erected to create space for all of their events. There is a special focus on teenagers at these events. More details are available here: http://www.merrionroadchurch.ie/inf,14.IEC-Daily-Schedule-in-Parish

The Dominicans at St Saviour’s Church, Dominick Street, have a series of talks on Eucharistic Adoration in the Spirit of St Thomas Aquinas at 8pm each evening of the Congress. The talks will be held at St Saviour’s. Admission is free and details can be found here: St Saviour’s Congress Programme

More information and resources about the International Eucharistic Congress official programme can be found here: http://www.iec2012.ie/ and information about the free Congress Extends to the City programme can be found here (although not all events are listed yet): http://www.iec2012.ie/index.jsp?p=108&n=4597

There is also an excellent iPhone and iPad app available to download for free here: http://itunes.apple.com/app/iec-2012/id512917631?Is=1&mt=8

The Eucharistic Congress is a great opportunity for a deepening of our faith in the Eucharist. Fr Doyle would have been a great supporter of the Congress if it had been held here in his day.

To conclude on a spiritual note, here is the prayer for the International Eucharistic Congress:

Lord Jesus,
You were sent by the Father
to gather together those who are scattered.
You came among us, doing good
and bringing healing,
announcing the Word of salvation
and giving the Bread which lasts forever.
Be our companion on life’s pilgrim way.

 May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts,
enliven our hope and open our minds,
so that together with our sisters and brothers in faith we may recognise you in the Scriptures
and in the breaking of bread.
May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body
and lead us to walk humbly on the earth,
in justice and love,
as witnesses of your resurrection.

In communion with Mary,
whom you gave to us as our Mother
at the foot of the cross,
through you may all praise,
honour and blessing be to the Father
in the Holy Spirit and in the Church,
now and forever.
Amen

Here is the official prayer for the last Eucharistic Congress held in Ireland 80 years ago, in 1932. This was a significant event in the history of the country, and indeed in my own family’s history – my maternal grandfather came here from Ottawa to attend the Congress and it was because of the Congress that he met my grandmother.

O Jesus, we believe that Thou art Truly, really and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament. Every day Thou dost offer Thyself anew in the adorable Sacrifice of the Mass for our Sanctification and salvation. In Holy Communion Thou makest Thyself the food of our souls. In Thy abiding Presence Thou art to us the unfailing source of consolation and strength in this valley of tears.

O deign to crown and bless with complete success the coming Eucharistic Congress. May it intensify in the minds and hearts of our people the knowledge and love of the Divine Sacrament of the Altar. May it keep far from our midst the accursed spirit of wordliness, with all its attendant evils. May its benign influence extend over all our beloved country, and over the whole world.

Inflame, O Jesus, the hearts of all with love for the Holy Mass and Thy Sacramental Presence. Grant that frequent and daily Communion may be practised in all the countries of the world. Grant that the reign of Thy Sacred Heart may be everywhere established.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, bless the Congress.

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.

St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us.

St Pascal Baylon, Patron of the Eucharistic Congresses, pray for us.

St Patrick, St Laurence O’Toole, and All ye saints of Ireland, pray for us.