“The Congress is a large-scale gathering of clergy, religious, and laity to publicly witness and celebrate the central doctrine of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.” (CathNews Australia 9/9/26)

This was quoted in a progress report for Pope Leo’s visit to Australia for the Eucharistic Congress in 2028.

It is the clearest statement I’ve seen so far declaring the intent of Eucharist28.

The Eucharistic Congress held in Sydney in 1928 is often referred to as a kind of blueprint for this Congress.

A 1928 blueprint

Then most Australian Catholics regularly attended Sunday Mass, with the bells heralding and accompanying the high point: the elevation of the bread and wine.

As a child, I longed for this moment.

I also enjoyed attending Benediction each Sunday afternoon, with more bells, candles, incense, and beautiful floral decorations.

Then, Catholics had no other way to encounter a sacramental Christ except by gazing on the Blessed Sacrament.

Regular communion was still the exception, although monthly reception was encouraged with the introduction of Sodalities.

Adoration then and now

Today I continue to enjoy going to my parish church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament each weekend. I find this a wonderful opportunity to experience silence with others.

For me Jesus in the monstrance heightens my awareness of what is to come.

After the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the tabernacle, our focus becomes the altar and all who surround it.

Priestly ministry today

We recognise that Christ is already really present in each of us as we gather to exercise our priestly ministry.

The opening prayer collects our thoughts and intentions before we engage with the real presence of Christ, proclaimed by those who give voice to his word, and the ordained minister who breaks open this word for us.

Our priestly responsibility includes offering the sacrifice of our lives, joined with Christ’s one supreme sacrifice.

This continuing real presence of Christ becomes ours mysteriously, as, in the words of St John Paul II, ‘communion with Christ is deeply tied to communion with our brothers and sisters.’ (DD 45)

At the Eucharistic table, Christ’s real presence, our central doctrine, is found in brokenness and fragmentation.

We take this real presence with us as we are sent to be Christ to others, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalised.

An expanded real presence

With an expanded notion of the real presence in the Eucharist, restored to us by the Council Fathers (SC 7) one would assume the Congress would be intent upon encouraging God’s people to fulfil their priestly work of participating in the Eucharist.

Adoration of Christ presence in the monstrance is part of our tradition, but so is the Council Fathers’ vision of the real presence as it unfolds in the reformed Eucharist, as Pope Leo continually reminds us.

• Carmel Pilcher RSJ, PhD is a Liturgy and Culture Consultant and Educator, Darug and Gundungura country.