The Project

The Origin of the Ark

The preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress got underway with a Youth Summit held in May 2005. The participants at this initial mobilization of youth enjoyed a weekend of renewal and discussions. At the summit, the first in the lead-up to the congress, they also noted how the Cross of World Youth Day had been used and expressed the desire to produce a symbolic object which could travel the country to prepare the way for the congress.

A committee of youth from Quebec City and Montreal was mandated to develop this idea. Following its reflections, the committee recommended to the IEC Steering Committee that it consider using an original artistic work.

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The Ark in the Context of the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress

This artistic creation will expand the horizon of our understanding of the Eucharist and will serve as the springboard for a wide variety of activities related to the three main objectives of the Eucharistic Congress:

• Promote Eucharistic catechesis as the Paschal mystery of Christ.
• Encourage fully active and conscious participation in the Liturgy through the hearing of the Word of God, the offering itself and the sense of brotherhood in the community. 
• Take another step towards greater human solidarity through the commitment to transform the world by concrete actions as a sign of the Kingdom in the heart of today’s world.

The originality of the Ark is a first in the history of International Eucharistic Congresses. Our wish is that it will foster creativity in the places where it travels and serve to bring all generations together. We hope that it will be the impetus for an ideal opportunity to unite many people in Christian reflection to help them discover, deepen and celebrate the Eucharistic Mystery to render it in every way a gift of God for the life of the world. We thank you for sharing the promise of this initiative with us.