- 25 September, 2026
Sydney, September 24, 2026: Catholics around the world can now mark their calendars for the 54th International Eucharistic Congress, which will be held in Sydney, Australia, from 24 September to 1 October 2028.
A century after Sydney last hosted the Congress
Known as Eucharist28, the international gathering will bring pilgrims from Australia and beyond together for Mass, catechesis, Eucharistic adoration, prayer, fellowship and public witness to the Catholic faith.
The Congress will be particularly significant for Sydney, which last hosted the International Eucharistic Congress in 1928. The return of the global Catholic gathering after a century provides an opportunity for the Church in Australia to renew its Eucharistic faith and welcome pilgrims from across the world.
“This is My Body”
The theme for Eucharist28 is “This is My Body, Given for You”, drawn from the words of Jesus at the Last Supper.
Bishop Richard Umbers, Secretary General of Eucharist28, has invited Catholics to begin preparing now rather than waiting until 2028. He has encouraged parishes, schools and Catholic communities to become involved in the preparations and to use the resources already being provided.
On 1 March 2026, parishes across Australia held Eucharistic Holy Hours to launch a designated Year of Prayer for Eucharist28.
For Bishop Umbers, the Congress is ultimately about the central mystery of Catholic faith: Christ giving himself to his people in the Eucharist.
“An IEC is for everybody because the Eucharist makes the Church, the Church,” he said.
A theological symposium before the Congress
The main Congress will be preceded by a Theological Symposium from 20 to 22 September 2028.
The symposium will offer participants an opportunity for a deeper theological exploration of the Blessed Sacrament before the wider international gathering begins.
The main Congress itself will run for eight days, combining liturgy, catechesis, prayer, Eucharistic adoration, processions and opportunities for pilgrims to experience the Catholic community gathered from different parts of the world.
The organisers have encouraged people to begin their Eucharistic journey now through their local parishes and communities.
Preparing hearts, not simply calendars
The preparations for Eucharist28 have also encouraged reflection on what the Eucharist means in everyday Christian life.
One recent reflection recalled the simplicity with which children can sometimes recognise truths that adults spend years learning to appreciate. A child once looked at Jesus on the cross and responded simply to his wounds, while another story recalled a young girl asking whether Jesus was truly present in her mother after Communion.
Such stories point towards the heart of Eucharist28: not simply an international event, but an invitation to recognise Christ's presence and respond to his love.
The journey to 2028 therefore does not need to begin with a journey to Sydney. It can begin with time before the Blessed Sacrament, participation in Mass, prayer and a renewed awareness of Christ's presence.
Pilgrims from around the world
The organisers expect Eucharist28 to attract pilgrims from Australia and overseas. Harvest Journeys has been appointed the official group travel operator and will assist dioceses, parishes, schools, communities and movements travelling to Sydney.
Travel packages are expected to be developed for Australian and international groups, with opportunities for visitors to explore parts of Australia alongside their Eucharistic pilgrimage.
As preparations continue, Catholics are being encouraged to register their interest and become involved in local initiatives.
A century after Sydney first hosted the Congress, Eucharist28 offers the Church an opportunity to gather once again around the Eucharist — and to rediscover that the journey towards Christ does not begin in 2028. It begins wherever the faithful turn towards Him today.
Courtesy : Catholic Weekly
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