In line with the program for the International Eucharistic Congresses, Tanzania celebrates the National Eucharistic Congress every four years. This year 2024, the celebration was held in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam from 11th to 15th September. This archdiocese had been appointed to host this event at the climax of the last congress which was held in the Archdiocese of Tabora. This year’s congress involved people of all groups throughout the country. The celebration was held in two centers namely: Msimbazi Center - where the adults were, and the second center was at the main campus of the University of Dar es Salaam – specially reserved for the children and their animators.
The number of children was approximately 600 and 70 animators. The 6 bishops who had sessions with the children at different times are: His Grace Damian Denis Dallu (the former PMS President of Tanzania), Rt. Rev. Jovitus Mwijage (current PMS President), Rt. Rev. Salutaris Libena, Rt. Rev. Stephano Musomba, OSA, Rt. Rev. Lazarus Msimbe, SDS and Rt. Rev. Christopher Ndizeye. The priests who participated with the children in various moments were 15, including the PMS National Director, Fr Alfred Stanslaus Kwene. The Congress was also graced by the participation of some religious animators including the National General Secretary for the Holy Childhood Society, Sister Anagladness Mrumah.
The congress went very well because it created the happiness for the children that they will ever recount in their lives. One of the joyous moments that the children have been expressing is the presence of the bishops who made presentations of various topics and officiated the Holy Masses, in a manner that really suited their age. The other thing that added happiness to the children was the scenery. They were sleeping in the university hostels famously called Magufuli Hostels, something that made them feel really valued. Moreover, during the sessions they were gathering in one of the university's lecture rooms called Yombo, which definitely inspired them to study hard so that one day they would reach that stage.
Among the topics presented to the children are the following: History of Evangelization in the Eastern Region, Holy Mass and Morals, Eucharist and Healing in the Family, Christian Brotherhood as an Important tool for Developing a Human Being, Today’s Challenges of Pentecostalism on Catholic Faith, Eucharist and the Small Christian Communities and the Magnificence of the Celebration of the Holy Mass. In fact, these topics were presented with great expertise as all the presenters used words and actions that aroused enthusiasm for the children to listen.
The children were also able to participate in the Eucharistic Procession, covering a distance of about five kilometers, showing great respect to the Blessed Sacrament. Fortunately, too, every day they had an hour of Eucharistic Adoration. In a special way, they were able to receive the sacrament of penance after all the teachings that were grounded on explaining the great mystery of the Holy Eucharist.
During the climax of this year’s National Eucharistic Congress, the Holy Mass was celebrated at Uhuru National Stadium, presided over by the Bishop President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, His Excellency Wolfgang Pisa, OFM Cap. This celebration was well attended, in a special way, by many of the faithful from the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. To mark the climax of this Congress and to usher a new beginning among the children of the Holy Childhood, there was a handover of the Holy Cross from the previous host diocese (Kondoa) to the current one (Dar es Salaam). This Cross in normally handed over to the host diocese of either the National Congress of Holy Childhood or the National Eucharistic Congress. Similarly, the children were able to sing their beautiful song about the motto of the Eucharist Congress: "Fraternity to Heal the World: You are all Brothers."
