Jacksonville, Fla. – Bishop Felipe J. Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine invites the community of North Florida to attend the 2013 Eucharistic Congress, March 8-9, at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville. The event is free to the public. For details of the several workshops and events that will occur during the congress, visit www.dosafl.com/congress.

The guest speaker this year is Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington. Cardinal Wuerl was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. He is known nationally for his efforts on behalf of Catholic education and his teaching ministry. He serves on the numerous national and international bodies. Most recently, he was appointed the Relator General for the 2012 Vatican Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.

Bishop Estévez has called for a Eucharistic Congress in the Diocese of St. Augustine (territory covers 17 counties of North Florida) for five consecutive years beginning in 2012, to assist Catholics and the greater community in deepening their understanding of, and devotion to, the Eucharist, which is central to the Catholic faith.

This year is particularly important because Pope Benedict XVI called for a Year of Faith that began in October 2012 and will conclude Nov. 24, 2013. The pope has called the Catholic Church worldwide to reach out to Catholics and encourage them to deepen and renew their faith.