The theme encapsulates the full Christian narrative, from Christ’s passion and resurrection to the Eucharist’s call for self-sacrificial love
Newsroom (07/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV has selected “This Is My Body, Given for You” as the theme for the 54th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC2028), set to take place in Sydney in 2028, organizers announced this week.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP of Sydney revealed the theme on October 7, following its confirmation by Fr. Corrado Maggioni SMM, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, during his visit to Australia in late September.
Fr. Maggioni, based at the Vatican, underscored the committee’s focus on the tangible sacrifice of Jesus Christ, driven solely by love. “This love-driven sacrifice is at the heart of Christian faith,” he said. He drew on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper and St. Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:1, adding, “Jesus’ words ‘This is my Body, given for you’ makes it clear that we cannot receive his Body and remain unchanged… we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice in the same way Christ does.”
Archbishop Fisher described the theme as encapsulating the full Christian narrative, from Christ’s passion and resurrection to the Eucharist’s call for self-sacrificial love. “These words, spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, speak not only of his passion, death and resurrection and the gift of the Eucharist, but also the call to self-sacrificial love,” he said in a statement. He highlighted its potential for “countless catechetical opportunities, enriched worship, renewed commitment to the promotion of vocations to priesthood, religious life and marriage, and more intentional service to the poor and vulnerable.”
Bishop Richard Umbers, general secretary of IEC2028, emphasized the theme’s centrality to Catholic doctrine, portraying the Eucharist as Christ’s gift to humanity. “The theme, ‘This is my body, given for you’ goes straight to the heart of our Catholic faith. It reminds us that the Eucharist is not something we do for God, but what Christ does for us – he gives himself so that we may live in him,” Bishop Umbers said. He expressed hope that the event would inspire participants worldwide “to discover for the first time or rediscover the joy of being nourished by Christ and be strengthened to become His presence in our communities – other Christs for the life of the world.”
Benjamin Galea, chief operating officer of IEC2028, invited the faithful to contemplate the Eucharist’s profound reality. “The Eucharist is not a mere symbol but the living gift of Jesus himself, truly and really present,” he said. Galea noted that the theme would guide catechesis and formation in the lead-up to the congress, with prayers that it “opens hearts, renews the church in Australia, and leaves a lasting legacy of unity, devotion, and witness.”
During his Australian visit, Fr. Maggioni met with the IEC2028 local organizing committee, toured St. Mary’s Cathedral and the International Convention Centre Sydney, and addressed priests from the dioceses of Broken Bay and Parramatta, as well as clergy from the Archdiocese of Sydney at their recent conference and educators from Sydney Catholic Schools.
The congress, held every four years, follows the 53rd event in Quito, Ecuador. It marks the first time Australia has hosted since Melbourne in 1973 and coincides with the centenary of the 29th congress in Sydney in 1928. The archdiocese’s successful bid received support from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has also endorsed the event. In September 2024, upon Sydney’s selection as host, Minns expressed enthusiasm, stating he was “thrilled” and anticipated thousands of visitors to the city.
The week-long gathering will feature highlight events including grand opening and closing Masses, as well as a Eucharistic procession through Sydney’s streets.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Catholicweekly.com.au
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