Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guadalajara (Fides Service) - A year after it hosted the 48th International Eucharistic Congress which officially opened the Year of the Eucharist, Guadalajara archdiocese in Mexico will close this special year given to the Church by the dearly beloved late Pope John Paul II, with a Great Eucharistic Parish Mission from 23 to 30 October involving all of its 400 parishes. Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, the archbishop Guadalajara, said the aim is to reflect on the riches left by the International Congress expressed in its final conclusions and to promote knowledge of “Mane Nobiscum Domine” apostolic letter written by John Paul II for the Year of the Eucharist.
The mission will have three stages: creating awareness, realisation and summit. In stage one now taking place, pastoral workers are visiting families house to house telling them about the Great Eucharistic Parish Mission and encouraging active participation. Each family will receive a copy of a special Letter from Cardinal Sandoval. Key elements of this stage are prayer and information through media, parish bulletins, mural periodicals etc. Stage two, realisation will begin with a solemn Mass on 23 October also Mission Sunday with the sending of pastoral workers who will illustrate the 5 themes of the congress to various groups they will meet in this second stage. For this stage the diocese prepared a handbook for pastoral workers in two parts: part one illustrates the 5 reflection themes, part 2 offers guidelines for liturgical celebrations.
The third stage and climax of the Mission will be celebrated in parishes on 29 October and by the whole diocese the next day 30 October with a solemn Mass in the presence of parish delegates.
Besides these events the Great Eucharistic Parish Mission will include, processions, Angelus prayer, dawn rosary, night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to increase love and devotion for Jesus present in the Eucharist and various initiatives to promote joyful communion between families and the parish community. The Great Eucharistic Parish Mission will also prepare the archdiocese for the solemn Beatification in Guadalajara on 20 November of 9 lay people and 3 priests killed during four years of persecution 1926 to 1929. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2005, righe 31 parole 395)
