Cities, towns and villages were decorated for the Eucharistic Congress. Relations between the Free State and the Vatican
Irish political leaders had appealed to the Vatican to recognise Ireland’s independence right from the First Dáil in 1919, but it was only after the Civil War ended that the Vatican developed relations with the Irish Free State. The two States established diplomatic relations in 1929, and this led eventually to Ireland being chosen to host the 31st Eucharistic Congress in June 1932. It was a momentous event for the new Irish State, one that many hoped would allow Ireland take its place on a world stage.
What is a Eucharistic Congress?
The Eucharistic Congress is a week-long event held in different countries throughout the world every 2–4 years. The congresses feature a gathering of Church leaders and lay members to celebrate the central mystery of the Catholic faith, the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the ceremony through which, Catholics believe, the bread and wine presented at Mass transform into the body and blood of Christ. Open air Masses, religious gatherings, debates, as well as Eucharistic adoration (displaying the Eucharist for worship) are all part of a Eucharistic congress.
Preparations for the 31st Eucharistic Congress
Preparations for the Eucharistic Congress got under way a year before the event. Archbishop of Dublin Edward Byrne was the official Catholic figure in charge of organisation. He appointed Frank O’Reilly as Director of Organisation and it fell to him to coordinate all the various groups preparing for the Congress.
