Last month, my eldest son Anthony turned 18. It caused me to reflect on my role as a father and the many memories we’ve made while preparing our boy for this next step into manhood.
I would be lying if I said it hasn’t made me emotional. And when I ask my wife how she feels about the prospect of our eldest child leaving home next year, she shuts me down quite quickly! As I’ve reflected on those 18 years, one memory has stood out.
It was at Mass one Sunday morning, as Anthony was beginning to form words. Staring wide-eyed at Jesus on the cross, he pointed his little finger towards Jesus’ wounds and, with a child’s sadness, said, “Jesus, ouchie!” It stood out to me as the gift of a child, to see with simplicity that which is true and real.
In that moment, what was plain and obvious; Jesus’ suffering. His sacrifice and his pain, revealed for all to see.
On a recent Eucharist28 monthly podcast, Archbishop Anthony Fisher relayed a story shared by the British philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe. Having returned from Communion, Elizabeth’s daughter pointed to her and asked, “Is He in you?”
When Elizabeth confirmed that she had indeed just received the Body of Jesus, her daughter prostrated herself before her mother, grasping that she had become a tabernacle carrying Our Lord. A child’s innocence, revealing with startling clarity what adults can spend a lifetime learning to see.
Those two moments have stayed with me as our Eucharist28 team has worked towards an important milestone. Our report to the Vatican is in preparation, and in a couple of months we travel to Rome to meet with delegates from around the world and share our plans for the 54th International Eucharistic Congress.
Dates announced for Sydney’s 2028 International Eucharistic Congress
We have much to report, reflecting the progress made so far. And we now have our dates! The Congress will be held here in Sydney from Sunday 24 September to Sunday 1 October 2028.
Seeing them written down makes the whole thing feel very close. For a long while this has been a year somewhere on the horizon, and now it is a week in the calendar, with a beginning and an end and a place in it for each of us.
Eight days of Mass and catechesis, of festival and experience, of adoration and procession through the streets of our city, with pilgrims arriving from every part of the world to be here with us.
I hope you will write it down somewhere this week. In the family calendar, in the parish diary, in whatever place you keep the things you fully intend to be part of.
As exciting as that week will be, I find my mind returning to the simplicity of what the journey to Eucharist28 is really all about. God, in His infinite love and mercy, waiting for us in the tabernacle. Inviting us to go to Him, to be with Him, so that when we receive Him, we might ultimately become Him.
That needn’t wait for 2028. Wherever you are this week, be sure to find your way to Him.
And in that silent space, open your heart to all that He longs to give you.
This piece was originally published on 11 August 2026.
Ben Galea is the Chief Operating Officer, Eucharist28, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
