Meeting Summary
Benjamin Galea, Chief Operating Officer of the 54th International Eucharistic Congress, presented to the LMF Network just days after the public launch of the Congress’s identity, vision, and communications. The Congress — known as Eucharist 28 — will be held in Sydney in 2028 and is being framed from the outset as far more than an event. The organising team envisions a three-year period of Eucharistic renewal beginning now, building through the Congress week itself, and continuing into a third phase beyond 2028, with 2030 — marking 2000 years since Christ’s ministry — already animating some of that thinking.
The Congress’s theme, approved by the Holy Father, is This Is My Body Given for You — a theme the network immediately recognised as rich with implications for marriage and family life. The vision has three interlocking ambitions: deepening Eucharistic faith among practising Catholics, drawing back those who have drifted away, and opening a door to those curious about the faith. Ben described the Congress week as a full day-and-night experience structured around a Theological Symposium, an Opening Mass, five days of congress programming, a Eucharistic Procession (at which the Holy Father is expected to preside), a Pilgrim Saturday, and a final Mass of up to 400,000 people. The Australian Catholic Youth Festival will be integrated into the Congress rather than held separately.
The discussion that followed was animated and wide-ranging — covering how families with young children can participate, the possibility of host families for international pilgrims, parish dinners for travelling pilgrims (modelled on the Ecuador Congress), opportunities for the life, marriage and family sector to contribute to catechetical resource development, and the rich connections between the Eucharist, interfaith dialogue, and the Jewish roots of the sacrament. Ben closed the meeting by leading the group in the official Eucharist 28 prayer.
About the Presenter
Benjamin Galea is the Chief Operating Officer of the 54th International Eucharistic Congress (Eucharist 28), to be held in Sydney in 2028. He holds a Master of Business Management and brings senior executive experience across faith-based and not-for-profit organisations, including involvement in the delivery of World Youth Day Sydney 2008 and a decade leading the Young Men of God movement. He is married with four children.
Key Takeaways
- Eucharist 28 is the shorthand name for the 54th International Eucharistic Congress — and the Congress team is emphatic that it is not just an event. The three-year period of Eucharistic renewal that begins now is as important as the Congress week itself, and parishes, schools, and ministries are being invited into that journey immediately.
- Monthly theological reflection resources are already available at the Congress website, broken into a written piece, a podcast, and a film — suitable for parish and school use. A communication pack with posters and prayer cards has been sent to every Catholic parish in Australia.
- The Holy Father is expected to attend, participating in the Eucharistic Procession and presiding at the Final Mass, at which up to 400,000 people are anticipated. Official dates have not yet been announced but will be in the coming months.
- The Australian Catholic Youth Festival will not be held separately in 2028 — it will be integrated into the Congress as a youth track, running from Wednesday afternoon through Friday, feeding into the Procession and Final Mass.
- The Congress team is actively seeking partnerships with life, marriage, and family ministries to develop resources that bring Eucharistic renewal into homes and marriages. The theme This Is My Body Given for You was immediately recognised as deeply resonant for both marriage and family formation — and Ben confirmed openness to collaboration on catechetical content, think-tank input, and shared use of networks.
