Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
São Paolo (Fides Service) - In the context of the Year of the Eucharist and the next Synod of Bishops in Rome on the theme of the Eucharist and also in preparation for a National Eucharistic Congress in 2006 at Florianópolis (Brazil), the local Church in Brazil has organised a National Seminar on the Eucharist in the life of the Church to be held at Santa Fé Pastoral Centre, São Paolo 14 to 18 February 2004.
The purpose of the Seminar, promoted by the Bishops’ Conference through its Liturgical Commission, is to discuss how to organise retreats, seminars and meetings on the Eucharist in regions, dioceses, institutes and theology faculties, in formation houses and schools. The participants bishops, clergy, deacons, teachers at seminaries, institutes and faculties of theology, regional liturgy teams, operators in liturgical pastoral will reflect on the theology of the Eucharist and its impact on the pastoral and spiritual life of the Church.
The Seminar is structured to combine moments of preparation and celebration of the Eucharist with those of reflection and study of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church (history, theology mystagogy, spirituality and pastoral). It will also offer an opportunity to see how the Eucharist is celebrated in Brazil’s Catholic communities. In fact the Seminar will devote some time to elaborating guidelines for a worthy celebration of the Eucharist in the context of the life of the people, in the light of the evangelising work of the Church in Brazil, with regard to inculturation and Eucharistic spirituality.
Moreover, in response to Pope John Paul II’s call for a more intense awareness with regard to the Eucharist in this special year, the Church in Brazil has issued proposals for initiatives at the national, diocesan and parish level. Among the more significant we mention: elaboration of handbooks for catechesis for children and adults in preparation for First Holy Communion; adequate liturgical formation of communities using “liturgical leaflets”; publication in local languages of certain important liturgical documents (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Liturgical Directory, etc); retreats for the Clergy to deepen the relationship between the ordained ministry and the sacrament of the Eucharist; revitalise celebrations of Sunday Masses promoting more active participation and encouraging works of solidarity and charity which are fruits of the celebration of the Eucharist; visits to the sick, including Masses and distribution of Holy Communion. The local Church underlines the need to rediscover the missionary dimension of the celebration of the Eucharist and consequent attention for people most in need. For more information see: liturgia@cnbb.org.br. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 20/11/2004, righe 33, parole 413)
