EUROPE/ITALY - Christians are the custodians of “the greatest of all treasures in heaven and on earth”: the Eucharist

Tuesday, 18 October 2005

Rome (Fides Service) - In these twelve months of the Year of the Eucharist Catholics all over the world have reflected in the significance and importance of the Eucharist, this great gift of God, renewed their faith in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. They have also grown in understanding of the Celebration of the Eucharist. Renewed knowledge that we have here in our midst until the end of time the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ under the species of bread and wine, “the greatest of all treasures in heaven and on earth” to quote Saint John Chrysostom, has also given rise to concern that the Eucharist must be given due respect, particularly at the moment of distribution of Holy Communion at Mass.
Among various initiatives to increase awareness in many different countries and presented at the Synod gathering by the Bishops of the world proposal was made to set up a committee “Confederation of the Body of Christ”. In view of abuses and sacrilegious acts with regard to consecrated hosts an appeal, signed by 500 people, not all Italians, said a solution could be to have two lay people, members of Third Order, Confraternities, Pie Unions, Catholic Action …) to stand at a little distance from the priest distributing Holy Communion to make sure the host is eaten and not hidden and carried away. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2005, righe 18, parole 247)


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