VATICAN - At the Angelus prayer the Pope recalls the International Eucharistic Congress and the start of the Year of the Eucharist: “recognising the Risen Lord in the ‘breaking of the bread’ may Catholics be ready to bear witness to him with active charity ”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The opening of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress on Sunday 10 October and the start of the Year of the Eucharist on Sunday 17 October, were the main focus of Pope John Paul’s reflection at midday on Sunday before the recitation of the Angelus pray with people gathered in St Peter’s Square.
“Today the International Eucharistic Congress opens in Guadalajara, in Mexico, with the theme ‘The Eucharist, light and life of the new millennium’. I am spiritually united with this important ecclesial event which also opens the Year of the Eucharist, the Pope said. For this special year I have addressed an Apostolic Letter to the whole Church which starts with the words "Mane nobiscum, Domine - Stay with us Lord". May this invocation resound in every Catholic community: recognising the Risen Lord in the ‘breaking of the bread may the faithful be ready to bear witness to him with active charity.”
The Pope also congratulated Caritas Rome on its 25th anniversary and after the Angelus the he greeted participants in the Italian Social Week in Bologna saying: “May this important event stimulate the Church in Italy to give more incisive witness in every field of social life in the country”. The Holy Father closed his address by reminding those present of the solemn Mass he will preside for the beginning of the Year of the Eucharist on Sunday 17 October in St Peter’s. He said he hoped many people in Rome would “come to take part in this important ecclesial event to render homage to Christ, Light and Life of the new millennium.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/10/2004 - Righe 19; Parole 248)