Pope to bless 'Ark of the New Covenant'
http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/na.cgi?nationalupdates/060427briefs#1
The road to the International Eucharistic Congress of 2008 in Quebec will soon begin in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI will kick things off by blessing the 'Ark of the New Covenant,' which will travel around Canada to help Canadians prepare. The ark, a chest covered with iconic images related to the Eucharist, will be blessed by the pope May 11 - 12 when the Quebec bishops make their five-yearly 'ad limina' visits to the Vatican. Up to 20,000 people are expected to gather in Quebec City June 15 - 22, 2008, to celebrate a Eucharistic Congress as part of the 400th anniversary of Quebec City's founding. At the upcoming blessing ceremony, Benedict will hear Jeremy Gabriel, a severely handicapped but gifted Quebec boy who has wanted to sing a hymn for the pope ever since the funeral of Pope John Paul II. -- Catholic Register
Pope to bless international eucharistic congress ark before it tours Canada