Pastoral Projects Leader, Dr Madeline Beveridge reflects on a recent retreat for diocesan leaders on the 2028 International Eucharistic Congress. The gathering in Sydney was themed: “This is my body, given for you.”
I was fortunate to recently join representatives from every diocese and eparchy across Australia for a retreat preparing the way for the 2028 International Eucharistic Congress (IEC). What emerged during these days was a deep sense that the Holy Spirit is already at work — stirring faith, renewing energy in our communities, and inviting us to journey together as a synodal Church.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP opened the retreat, setting the tone by reminding us that the Congress is not simply an event but a ten-year journey (2024–2033): a movement of curiosity, formation, devotion, and worship anchored in the call of Christ, “Come, follow me” (Mt 4:19). Across these years, the invitation is clear: prepare our hearts for Eucharistic revival so that our communities may know, worship, and love Christ more deeply.
The goal of the Congress is simple and bold: to enable an encounter with Christ. “No one,” he said, “should be unchanged by the Congress.” In a culture offering few real answers, the longing for truth, beauty, and goodness remains strong. It is Christ — truly present in the Eucharist — who answers that longing.
This call is not only personal but missionary. We were asked: Who do you know who would benefit from intimacy with Christ? Draw them in. As we journey together towards 2028, we are invited to become conduits of grace and hope — windows through which others can glimpse the love of God.
A Church listening and journeying together
Bishop Richard Umbers spoke of the long history of Eucharistic Congresses — from France in 1881 to Jerusalem in 1893 and to Australia in 1973. In every age, there have been moments that create curiosity about the Lord and draw attention to the heart of our faith.
This retreat, too, was a moment of synodality: listening deeply, discerning collectively, and dreaming boldly for our Church. It echoed Pope Francis’ invitation for the People of God to “walk together,” attentive to the Spirit and to one another (cf. Synod on Synodality). There was a clear sense that the future of Eucharistic renewal will not be built by experts alone, but by the faithful — families, parishes, clergy, young people, and lay leaders — walking side by side.
Becoming what we receive
Sr Susanna Edmunds OP led us into the depths of the Congress theme, “This is my body, given for you” (Lk 22:19), contemplating six foundational truths: real body, real God, real Jesus, real presence, real food, real bread. She offered a striking metaphor: grapes become wine because many grapes are crushed together. Likewise, we — different, diverse, yet united — become the Body of Christ. We become what we receive.
This theme continued through the insights of Fr Daniel Russo, who reminded us that the Eucharist reveals the self-giving love of Jesus: the One who shoulders the Cross, drinks the chalice of suffering, and forgives those who persecute Him. Every baptised person, sharing in the common priesthood of Christ, is called not only to receive the Eucharist but to imitate it — to “offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom 12:1).
Imagining what is possible with God
Tim Glemkowski, from the US National Eucharistic Congress, spoke of an experience that “captured the spiritual imagination” of an entire nation. What made it transformative was its radically Christo-centric focus: people aren’t made for events, they’re made for God. When the Church is centred on Christ, young people find their place, communities rediscover hope, and parishes come alive.
Our diocese will continue nurturing these seeds of renewal. Encouraging parish vitality, supporting families in faith, forming leaders, and walking with young people as they encounter Christ in the Eucharist. The Jubilee Year of Hope has reminded us that Christian hope is not passive — it sends us out. It calls us to build communities marked by welcome, compassion, and missionary creativity.
Let us continue to ask who is God inviting us to draw closer to Christ? And how will we, as a synodal and Eucharistic people, respond?
