Get on board with the Ark of the New Covenant!

By LAUREEN McMAHON

The Ark of the New Covenant, a beautifully crafted woodcarving, is the symbol of the 49th annual International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec and it will be coming to a parish near you!

Special to The B.C. Catholic The Ark of the New Covenant symbolizes and illustrates the goals of next year's 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City. The wood carving, which has been blessed by Pope Benedict XVI and is on a pilgrimage through Canada, will arrive in the Vancouver archdiocese in May.

The ark has begun a tour throughout Canada, and is scheduled to arrive in the Vancouver archdiocese this May.

An International Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of clergy, religious, and laymen and women to celebrate and glorify the Holy Eucharist and to spread the knowledge of and love for the Eucharist throughout the world.

The first congress was in 1881 in Lille, France, with 300 people attending. Next year's congress, which is to take place in Quebec City from June 15 to 22 is expected to welcome over 15,000 faithful.

The Quebec congress was mandated by Pope John Paul II before his death to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the erection of the first Catholic diocese north of Mexico.

"During the festivities planned for 2008," said Quebec Cardinal Archbishop Marc Ouellet, "we will remember the women and men who built the country and whose deep evangelical roots are still alive."

Quebec carpenter and sculptor Alain Rioux built the 1 m long by .6 m high by .6 m wide ark, which weighs 90 pounds and can be carried on two poles by four people in procession.

It is adorned with colourful icons selected by Marc Lepage and painted by Romanian Orthodox monks. Proceeds from their work support an Oblate Sisters of the Assumption Romanian orphanage which cares for 100 children.

Visitors can place testimonies in the ark's hold

After it was completed, the ark made a pilgrimage to Rome during an ad limina visit of the Quebec bishops and was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI.

This is the first time in the history of International Eucharistic Congresses that the congress symbol can be seen prior to the event dates.

The pilgrimage of the ark, said a spokesman, is providing a wonderful opportunity to bring generations of Canadian Catholics together.

The idea for the ark as the symbol of the International Eucharistic Congress began at a May 2005 Youth Summit in Quebec.

Recalling how impressive the huge cross was at World Youth Day in Toronto, the young people suggested that an ark would be a recognizable and appropriate IEC symbol.

The artistic vision won the enthusiastic approval of the steering committee and of Cardinal Ouellet, and the ark was commissioned.

The name Ark of the Covenant is of Biblical origin and refers to a pact concluded between the people of Israel and God in the time of Moses in Sinai.

It was Christ Who instituted a New Covenant with the people of the Old Covenant. The expression New Covenant refers to the new and eternal covenant which Jesus Christ made by the Pascal Mystery of His death and resurrection.

The Ark of the New Covenant fulfils several important symbolic functions. It is a seat for Christ the King and is also a chest containing the scriptures through which Christ teaches His people, His Church.

The boat-shaped base of the ark is crafted in five different kinds of wood to symbolize the universality of the Church and that the Good News is for all nations.

The ship's hold, at the base of the ark, is a place where visitors can place a testimony of their commitment as Christians as the ark moves from one community to the next.

The ark brings to mind the vessel that God commanded Noah to build. Thanks to the provisions it carried within its hold, Noah and his family were saved from the flood, as were two of every species of living animals.

The ark also refers to the "barque of Peter," the disciple whom Jesus made the foundation of His Church. Since the institution of the New Covenant, a boat has symbolized the Church, and the people of God who journey together.

Just as Christ told Peter to put out into deep water, we are to sent to all nations to bear witness to the Gospel and fulfill the mandate of evangelization.

The full list of dates, times, and locations where the ark will be on display in Vancouver parishes is expected to be announced in next week.

More information and photos of the Ark of the New Covenant and about the many programs heralding the 49th International Eucharistic Congress, including this year's Youth Summit from May 18-21 in Quebec City, are available at www.cei2008.ca.