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Ring for Renewal
On 2nd March, IEC2012 began the last 100 days of preparation for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, that takes place in Dublin from 10th to 17th June. To mark this moment on the journey, we announced a special event to take place on St Patrick's Day this year.
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Ring for Renewal
On 2nd March, IEC2012 began the last 100 days of preparation for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012, that takes place in Dublin from 10th to 17th June. To mark this moment on the journey, we announced a special event to take place on St Patrick's Day this year.
We are asking people all around Ireland and the world to "Ring for Renewal" on St Patrick's Day. It is an invitation to pause on the journey of life and reflect on how we can renew as people and as members of the Church as we prepare for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress.
The idea is to engage in the path of personal and Church renewal which is the agenda of the Eucharistic Congress and to join the journey in a personal way.
On 14th March, Pope Benedict XVI received the Eucharistic Congress Bell from an IEC2012 delegation in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI blessed the bell, rang it vigorously, and paused to admire the icons as Archbishop Martin explained their significance. He was presented with shamrock by Sheena Darcy and with the first copy of the Congress Commemorative Medal, by Colette Furlong . Read more about the Pope blessing the Eucharistic Congress Bell in advance of St Patrick's Day.
Where will bells ring on St Patrick's Day?
Why ring a Bell?
The symbol of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress is a Bell. Like the Olympic torch prepares for the Olympics, the Eucharistic Congress Bell has been going all around Ireland calling people to prepare for the Congress since St Patrick's day in 2011. Having visited all 26 dioceses in Ireland, the Bell travels to Rome for this year's St Patrick's Day, bringing an international aspect to the call to spiritual renewal in the heart of the Catholic Church.
Like St Patrick's Bell, the Congress Bell rings across the land calling God's people together, to hear the good news that God is present among us and calls us to communion. For Christians the bell is associated with the invitation to gather, the sound perceived as God's voice, God's call, which draws people to assemble. In early Christian Ireland, St Patrick's bell heralded the dawn of a new and eternal day for the Irish people - called to hear the good news - Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh - and in turn become bearers of this news to others, far and near. The image of the bell is still used to convey joy, celebration and the announcement of good news. Combined, the image and sound of the bell symbolise for us God's call to all people to gather to hear good news.
How will the 50th International Eucharistic Congress bring renewal to the Church in Ireland?
One hundred days to the Congress
In recognition of the last 100 days to the Congress, we received a message from Archbishop Piero Marini, President of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses.
Read Archbishop Marini's message in English and Italian.
Book for the Congress
You can book to attend the Congress for one, three or seven days. There are three ways to book:
Advance bookings are open until 9th May 2012. Bookings after 9th May will be onsite at the RDS during the week of the Congress.
The idea is to engage in the path of personal and Church renewal which is the agenda of the Eucharistic Congress and to join the journey in a personal way.
On 14th March, Pope Benedict XVI received the Eucharistic Congress Bell from an IEC2012 delegation in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI blessed the bell, rang it vigorously, and paused to admire the icons as Archbishop Martin explained their significance. He was presented with shamrock by Sheena Darcy and with the first copy of the Congress Commemorative Medal, by Colette Furlong . Read more about the Pope blessing the Eucharistic Congress Bell in advance of St Patrick's Day.
Where will bells ring on St Patrick's Day?
- We invite the faithful at home to pause and reflect as they ring a bell at any time of the day.
- We invite cathedrals, churches and schools, to ring their bells for two minutes at 12 noon and 6pm inviting people to renewal - both personal and communal.
- We invite parishes, churches and chapels to leave a bell at a suitable place in their churches/chapels/cathedrals for people to ring as they go out from Mass or if they are going in to pray during the day.
- Public figures in Ireland and elsewhere in the world will be invited to ring a bell.
- We invite people taking part in parades or watching parades around Ireland to ring a bell.
Why ring a Bell?The symbol of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress is a Bell. Like the Olympic torch prepares for the Olympics, the Eucharistic Congress Bell has been going all around Ireland calling people to prepare for the Congress since St Patrick's day in 2011. Having visited all 26 dioceses in Ireland, the Bell travels to Rome for this year's St Patrick's Day, bringing an international aspect to the call to spiritual renewal in the heart of the Catholic Church.
Like St Patrick's Bell, the Congress Bell rings across the land calling God's people together, to hear the good news that God is present among us and calls us to communion. For Christians the bell is associated with the invitation to gather, the sound perceived as God's voice, God's call, which draws people to assemble. In early Christian Ireland, St Patrick's bell heralded the dawn of a new and eternal day for the Irish people - called to hear the good news - Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh - and in turn become bearers of this news to others, far and near. The image of the bell is still used to convey joy, celebration and the announcement of good news. Combined, the image and sound of the bell symbolise for us God's call to all people to gather to hear good news.
How will the 50th International Eucharistic Congress bring renewal to the Church in Ireland?
- The 50th International Eucharistic Congress is being seen as a unique opportunity for renewal of the Christian life, it is taking shape as a genuine moment of renewal in the Church. Read the address from Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin on "Reform of the Church in Ireland: Facing the Future with Hope".Read address
- "Like the new growth in springtime, renewal in the Church will be made up of many elements." Read how Fr. Kevin Doran, Secretary General for the IEC2012, envisages renewal will surface among the daily themes for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. Read address.
- If you are a lay person, pause and reflect on personal and Church renewal as you ring a bell at any time of the day.
- If you are a priest, religious or school teacher, would you be able to ring the bell of the cathedral/church/school/community chapel, etc for two minutes on St Patrick's Day at 12 noon and 6pm? We would like all churches in the country to join in this call to personal and Church renewal.
- If you would like to organise professional bell ringers in your own church or other ways of ringing bells, please feel free to do so. If you can, let us know so that we can promote this as well.
- Download a poster. Please print and display in your school or church. Thank you very much for your attention and we hope that you can join us on this event as we prepare for the Congress.
- Ring the Bell on our Audioboo channel!
One hundred days to the CongressIn recognition of the last 100 days to the Congress, we received a message from Archbishop Piero Marini, President of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses.
Read Archbishop Marini's message in English and Italian.
Book for the Congress
You can book to attend the Congress for one, three or seven days. There are three ways to book:
| 1) Book online on the Congress web site |  |
| 2) Book by telephone through IEC2012 booking offices | Telephone (01) 298 1122 |
| 3) Download a booking form | Post form to CSSL 3rd Floor Paradigm House Dundrum Office Park Dundrum Dublin 14 |
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