Text

The Eucharistic Congress is a mass meeting of Catholics organized on an international basis and aimed at celebrating the mystery of the Eucharist through lectures, seminars, discussions, and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The first International Eucharistic Congress owed its inspiration to Bishop Gaston de Ségur, and was held at Lille, France, on June 21, 1881. Today, the congress is typically held every four years. 
Cebu City, the Philippines, was the site for the 51st Eucharistic Congress held 24-31 January 2016. The Congress' theme was 'Christ in you, our Hope of Glory,' (St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians, 1:24-29). The focus was the recognition and celebration of the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharistic mystery. In addition to celebration of Mass and adoration, educational sessions were scheduled for participants who attended from all over the world. Pope Francis did not attend the Congress having visited the Philippines in 2015.The next meeting is scheduled in Budapest, Hungry in 2020. 
Artist Gabriella Titotto designed two Vatican stamps for the 51st Eucharistic Congress. The €0,95 value features the 16th century Holy Child of Cebu along with grains of wheat and grapes, the symbol of the Eucharist. The €1,00 stamp depicts the Cathedral of Cebu along with detail of the basilica's cross. Both stamps include the logo for the 5Ist Congress: three persons adoring the bread and wine of the Eucharistic, with Jesus Christ's presence indicated by the Greek letters IHS. The stamps were issued in sheets of ten.

Update A Postal Database Record