Jacksonville, Fla.– Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, will be the keynote speaker and main celebrant at Mass during this year’s Eucharistic Congress slated for March 28-29, at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville.

A member of the College of Cardinals who elected Pope Francis in March 2013, Cardinal DiNardo was elected Vice President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, a three-year term that began last year.

The Diocese of St. Augustine is expecting an estimated 5,000 people from Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia to attend the two-day event, which is free and open to the public.

This year, the Congress takes place during Lent – the 40-day period of penance, prayer and conversion, in preparation for the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.

“For Catholics, the Eucharist is at the center of our faith,” said Bishop Felipe J. Estévez. “The Eucharistic Congress provides people an opportunity to come together to renew their faith and relationship with Christ. It’s a chance to step aside from the busyness of our lives and reflect on ways to live with an attitude of gratitude toward God; for all that he has given us.” 

The Congress opens at 6:30 p.m., on Friday, with living Stations of the Cross, followed by a Mass with time for prayer, hope and healing, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and reconciliation or confession.

On Saturday, Cardinal DiNardo will give the keynote address and serve as the main celebrant at the 9 a.m. Mass. There will be breakout sessions throughout Saturday geared for children, teens and adults, and sessions will be offered in both English and Spanish. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.floridaeucharist.org.  To schedule interviews, contact Kathleen Bagg or Joy Batteh-Freiha.