Imagery from the Official website to promote the Eucharist Congress 2028
The official dates for the 54th International Eucharistic Congress (Eucharist28) have been announced for 24 September to 1 October 2028 in Sydney, sparking immense excitement across Australia, including within the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia. The landmark announcement, made by the Congress’s Secretary General Bishop Richard Umbers, marks exactly 100 years since Sydney last hosted the global gathering in 1928.
The central theme for the event, chosen by Pope Leo XIV, is “This is My Body, Given for You,” focusing on a deep renewal of faith in the Real Presence of Christ. Organisers anticipate up to 400,000 faithful to participate, with the Holy Father signaling his intention to attend the concluding Papal Mass.
A Centenary of Faith on Australian Shores
The 2028 event will be a historic milestone, serving as the largest religious gathering in Australia since World Youth Day 2008. A theological symposium will precede the main congress from 20 to 22 September 2028 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney in Darling Harbour, offering attendees a “deep dive” into the Eucharistic mystery.
Military Ordinariate Embraces the Journey of Renewal
For the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia, which serves the spiritual needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the announcement represents a profound opportunity for spiritual strengthening.
The Ordinariate, newly under the leadership of Bishop Stuart Hall following his episcopal consecration on 29 August 2026, has firmly leaned into the multi-year national pilgrimage of prayer leading up to the main event. The Defence Catholic community actively joined the nationwide launch earlier this year by distributing starter packs and catechetical resources and coordinating local Holy Hours.
Ordinariate leaders emphasize that the virtues of Eucharist28—renewal, mission, and deep personal encounter—strongly resonate with military personnel who face unique hardships and operational uncertainties. The multi-year lead-up is viewed by the Ordinariate not merely as preparation for a one-week event but as a sustained spiritual campaign to deepen prayer and inspire a missionary spirit among Australian service members and their families.
As official travel operators begin securing bookings for pilgrims globally, the Military Ordinariate, alongside dioceses nationwide, continues rolling out monthly podcasts, films, and reflections via the official Eucharist28 Platform to ensure their community is spiritually ready to deploy to Sydney in 2028.
By the CMOA Media Team
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