“This is My Body, Given for You” has been chosen by Pope Leo XIV as the theme for the International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Sydney in 2028 (IEC2028).
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP announced the theme after it was confirmed by Fr Corrado Maggioni SMM, President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, on his recent trip to Australia in late September.
During his visit, Fr Maggioni expressed the committee’s desire to emphasise the real and tangible sacrifice of Christ, who died for no other reason than love.
“This love-driven sacrifice is at the heart of Christian faith,” Fr Maggioni said.
“Jesus’ words “This is my Body, given for you” makes it clear that we cannot receive his Body and remain unchanged…St Paul expresses this in Romans 12:1, we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice in the same way Christ does.”
Archbishop Fisher said the theme encapsulates the entirety of the Christian story and the call it places on those who seek to follow Christ.
“These words, spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, speak not only of his passion, death and resurrection and the gift of the Eucharist, but also the call to self-sacrificial love,” he said in the statement on 7 October.
“The richness of this theme will provide countless catechetical opportunities, enriched worship, renewed commitment to the promotion of vocations to priesthood, religious life and marriage, and more intentional service to the poor and vulnerable.”
General Secretary of the IEC2028 Bishop Richard Umbers said the centrality of the theme to the Catholic faith would serve as a reminder of the gift of Christ in the Eucharist.
“The theme, ‘This is my body, given for you’ goes straight to the heart of our Catholic faith. It reminds us that the Eucharist is not something we do for God, but what Christ does for us – he gives himself so that we may live in him,” Bishop Umbers said.
“My hope is that people in Sydney, across Australia, Oceania and the whole world will discover for the first time or rediscover the joy of being nourished by Christ and be strengthened to become His presence in our communities – other Christs for the life of the world.”
IEC2028 chief operating officer Benjamin Galea said the theme invites the faithful to reflect deeply on this sacred mystery.
“The Eucharist is not a mere symbol but the living gift of Jesus himself, truly and really present,” he said.
“It will shape our catechesis and formation in these preparatory years. Our prayer is that this congress opens hearts, renews the church in Australia, and leaves a lasting legacy of unity, devotion, and witness.”
During his time in Australia, Fr Maggioni, who is Vatican-based, spent time with the IEC2028 local organising committee and toured St Mary’s Cathedral and the International Convention Centre Sydney.
He also addressed groups of priests from Broken Bay and Parramatta dioceses and, at their recent clergy conference, priests of the Archdiocese of Sydney, as well as educators at Sydney Catholic Schools.
This will be the 54th International Eucharistic Congress. They are held every four years, with the last one held in Quito, Ecuador.
It will be exactly 100 years since the 29th congress was hosted in Sydney, and the first time since it was held in Australia since Melbourne hosted it in 1973.
The archdiocese’s hosting bid had the backing of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.
The event also has the support of New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who upon the initial announcement in September 2024 was “thrilled” to learn Sydney had been chosen for it and anticipated thousands of visitors to the city.
The highlights of the week-long event will be the large opening and closing Masses and a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Sydney.
To express interest in volunteering for the IEC2028 in Sydney, or to be added to the mailing list for updates, please email: iec2028@sydneycatholic.org
 to be held in Sydney in 2028. The theme was confirmed by Fr Corrado Maggioni SMM, President of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, on his recent trip to Australia in September.){kind=link}