The organizers of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Québec City (2008 IEC) are very pleased with the success of the Eucharistic procession, which was held as part of IEC’s official activities and attended by over 15 000 people who calmly and serenely walked to openly proclaim their faith in God.
During the 5.1 km march—which included activities, prayers, songs, and cheers—participants demonstrated the people’s faith in their Lord, offering love for love. The procession, which began at 7 p.m. at Colisée Pepsi, stopped at two highly symbolic locations before ending at the Agora in the Old Port. The first stop was at the Saint-François-D’Assise Church, which was the final stop of the procession organized by Jacques Cartier in 1535 to ask the Virgin for help to heal his crew of scurvy. The second stop was at Notre-Dame de Saint-Roch Church, where many sick and disabled people were gathered. This stop was meant to underline the parish’s invaluable and tireless support for numerous social and community projects in the neighborhood of Saint-Roch. From there, pilgrims lit their candles and were treated to a truly unforgettable show. “We announced that the procession would be historic and it truly was,” stressed event director Michel Grenier, his voice charged with emotion. He added that “the participants and people who gathered along the processional route will long remember the demonstration of faith they witnessed here.”
The organizers of the 2008 IEC would like to thank the people of Quebec City, the City of Quebec, Radio-Galilée (official broadcaster), and its many partners, employees, and volunteers without whose valuable support this major event would not have been possible.