The event, scheduled just weeks before our Holy Father officially opened the “Year of the Eucharist,” was sponsored by the CMSWR (Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious). The theme of the weekend, “Heaven Unites with Earth,” was a powerful way of drawing members of the faithful from across the country to join in deepening and sharing their devotion to the Eucharist.  The theme song chosen for the Congress was written by Sr. Cecilia Anne during her novice year and is entitled Realm of Angels' Bliss.
 

Mother Rose Marie and Sister Christine join other officers of the CMSWR in the Offertory Procession

The participants had many opportunities to awaken anew their devotion and love for the Eucharist by participating in the celebration of the Mass, benediction, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and a Eucharistic Procession. There were also several talks scheduled throughout the day on Saturday that provided a catechesis on the Eucharist. Among those present to speak were Cardinal Francis Cardinal Arinze from the Sacred Congregation, Sister Nirmala Joshi, superior for the Missionaries of Charity, and Elizabeth Nguyen, the youngest sister of the late Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. Also present were Justin Cardinal Rigali, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Francis Cardinal Stafford, Francis Cardinal Arinze, and Bishop William Lori of the Bridgeport, Connecticut Diocese.

Among the students in attendance were girls who traveled from St. Cecilia Academy in Nashville. For them the Congress was a broadening experience of the universal Church. Student Laura Vorholt was particularly moved by the vibrancy of the devotion she observed. Growing up in the Bible Belt (a minority with only 3.5% Catholic), she commented: “I had never been to a Mass with so many people…Everyone was smiling and I knew God was smiling too.”
 

Realm of Angels' Bliss © 2004 LBP Communications, Inc.
1. Behold the realm of the angels' bliss; Altar beckons: Enter in. Rise up from earth; seek eternity Where God dwells among mere men. Man lifted up into Love unseen, Glimpsing divine mystery. Approach in hope, through firm faith, with  love For here earth unites with heav'n.	2. Receive and eat, taste the Flesh of God, Bread of Angels feeds mankind. Bathe in the Blood of the Lamb pierced, slain, Mortal man to make divine. Eternal meal transcends space and time; Heaven and earth are made one. Myst'ry of faith, far beyond man's grasp: Sacred Sign, Mystical Vine.
3. Myriads of angels bow down in awe; Seraphs tremble as they gaze. All heav'nly host worship at the throne; All creation echoes praise. Man joins his voice to the heav'nly throng, Before the Lamb, all adore. Heaven and earth here embrace in love Piercing night with glorious rays.
4. Fall down before Him, the Lamb of God, Source of immortality. Heaven and earth joined by Tree of Life; Word made Man has set man free. Sing Alleluia to God on high, Glory and honor and praise. Draped in the mantle of timelessness Altar holds infinity.	5. Spirit and Bride call, "Come, enter in To the Banquet of the King." Blessed are those who partake in faith Of this Feast which cures all sin. Draw near and take the true Bread of Life; With fear and awe lift the veil. The wedding day of the Lamb has come; Heaven calls, earth enters in.