Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - “It is with great joy and affection that I write you this Holy Thursday Letter, following a tradition which began with my first Easter as the Bishop of Rome twenty-five years ago ”. This is the opening statement of Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 2004. He continues: “Our annual encounter through this Letter is a particularly fraternal one, thanks to our common sharing in the Priesthood of Christ, and it takes place in the liturgical setting of this holy day marked by its two significant celebrations: the morning Chrism Mass, and the evening Mass in Cena Domini." Thinking of priests gathered in the cathedrals in Dioceses around the world with their Bishops for the renewal of priestly promises the Pope reflect on Holy Thursday. "At the Last Supper, we were born as priests …We were born from the Eucharist. If we can truly say that the whole Church lives from the Eucharist, we can say the same thing about the ministerial priesthood: it is born, lives, works and bears fruit “de Eucharistia”
Referring to what he calls the apostolicity of the Eucharist, the Pope says “The sacrament of the Eucharist—like the sacrament of Reconciliation—was entrusted by Christ to the Apostles and has been passed down by them and their successors in every generation… By saying “Do this in memory of me”, he put a Eucharistic seal on their mission and, by uniting them to himself in sacramental communion, he charged them to perpetuate that most holy act in his memory. As he pronounced the words “Do this...” Jesus' thoughts extended to the successors of the Apostles, to those who would continue their mission by distributing the food of life to the very ends of the earth”.
The Holy Father recalls “ The Eucharist, like the priesthood, is a gift from God “which radically transcends the power of the assembly” and therefore he says the assembly “ is not by itself able to celebrate the Eucharist or to provide the ordained minister.”. The Pope urges the Christian people to pray “ unceasingly that priests will never be lacking in the Church ”, recalling that “ The number of priests is never sufficient ”. In some parts of the world they are more scarce while in others there is a “promising springtime of vocations”. “First, however, and more than any other effort on behalf of vocations,- the Pope says in his Letter to Priests - our personal fidelity is indispensable. What counts is our personal commitment to Christ, our love for the Eucharist, our fervour in celebrating it, our devotion in adoring it ”.
Besides other initiatives to promote vocations the Pope reminds priests to show special care for altar servers: “ The group of altar servers, under your guidance as part of the parish community, can be given a valuable experience of Christian education and become a kind of pre-seminary…With the help of the families most involved and catechists, be particularly concerned for the group of servers so that, through their service at the altar, each of them will learn to grow in love for the Lord Jesus, to recognize him truly present in the Eucharist and to experience the beauty of the liturgy. Initiatives for altar servers on the diocesan or local level should be promoted and encouraged, with attention to the different age groups".
“Never forget - the Pope says - that you yourselves are the first “Apostles” of Jesus the High Priest. Your own witness counts more than anything else. Altar servers see you at the regular Sunday and weekday celebrations; in your hands they see the Eucharist “take place”, on your face they see its mystery reflected, and in your heart they sense the summons of a greater love. May you be for them fathers, teachers and witnesses of Eucharistic piety and holiness of life!". Lastly John Paul II reminds priests to pray unceasingly for vocations, for perseverance for those called to the priesthood: “ Help your communities to love ever more fully that unique “gift and mystery” which is the ministerial priesthood.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2004; Righe 44 - Parole 628)
