Year
of the Eucharist
O Sacrum Convivium, in quo Christus sumitur! The
Year of the
Eucharist has its source in the amazement with which the Church contemplates
this great Mystery. It is an amazement which I myself constantly
experience... May the Year of the Eucharist be for everyone a
precious opportunity to grow in awareness of the incomparable treasure which
Christ has entrusted to his Church. May it encourage a more lively and fervent
celebration of the Eucharist, leading to a Christian life transformed by love.
Pope John Paul II
It seems appropriate that this year of our Parish Centennial should also be
the Year of the Eucharist. Pope John Paul II has declared October 2004 through
October 2005 a time to be “particularly engaged in living out the mystery of the
Holy Eucharist.” In his apostolic letter Mane Nobiscum Domine (Remain
with Us, Lord), the Holy Father meditates on the mystery of the Eucharist.
He writes, “we are constantly tempted to reduce the Eucharist to our own
dimensions, while in reality it is we who must open ourselves up to the
dimensions of the Mystery.” How do we open ourselves up to the Mystery?
- By renewing our sense of wonder and awe at the presence of the God who
gives us his true body and blood under the signs of bread and wine.
- By striving more than ever to celebrate the liturgy with dignity and
reverence.
- By treasuring the gifts we receive from both of the tables spread before
us at Mass: the table of the word, the table of the bread, for just as it is
Christ whom we receive in the bread and the wine, so it is “Christ himself
who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church.”
- By spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass,
waiting patiently, as Pope John Paul II, says, “to hear his voice and, as it
were, to sense the beating of his heart.”
- By participating in Eucharistic celebrations like Vespers with
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (4pm on Sundays) and joining in
Exposition and Holy Hour on the First Friday of each month.
- By becoming witnesses to peace in our world. “The Christian who takes
part in the Eucharist learns to become a promoter of communion, peace, and
solidarity in every situation.”
- By serving the poor. “We cannot delude ourselves: by our mutual love
and, in particular, by our concern for those in need we will be recognized
as true followers of Christ. This will be the criterion by which the
authenticity of our Eucharistic celebrations is judged.” The inscription
over the altar of St. James Cathedral boldly reaffirms this statement: “I am
in your midst as one who serves.” It is our touchstone. Liturgy is source
and summit: and its genuineness is revealed when it overflows into loving
action in our world.
O sacrum convivium!
O sacred banquet,
in which Christ is received,
the memory of his Passion is renewed,
the mind is filled with grace,
and a pledge of future glory is given to us.
Read the Holy Father's letter in its entirety by clicking here.
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