Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Fides Service) - The Year of the Eucharist has no ending “it launches us with renewed ardour into new evangelisation: we must be men and women of the Eucharist, families of the Eucharist, a society of the Eucharist”. Cardinal. Juan Luis Cipriani, archbishop of Lima, said this during his homily at a solemn Mass to mark the closing of the Year of the Eucharist in Lima Cathedral.
The Cardinal reminded those present that the Eucharist is the heart of the mystery of the Church because it holds within it the Church’s spiritual treasure and in the Eucharist Christ gives us life in his own Spirit. Every Eucharist makes present our redemption, it changes the world, confirms the New Covenant he said encouraging those present “to make Sunday once again the Lord’s Day, the day on which to share the faith”. He warned them to keep away from the culture of death, violence, tragedy and infidelity and to see that the world is thirsting for spirituality: “Although there are voices which speak of growing development, many times the world is sad, it thirst for spirituality, prayer, meditation on the Word of God”. The world groans as it waits for the proclamation of the Good News. The Cardinal said it is necessary to abandon the flat dimension of money, argument, intrigue and elevate the spirit to the joy of being children of God and brothers in Christ because all this is part of being “people of the Eucharist ”. Therefore he said, “I ask you to live life coherently that this may be seen in our actions”.
Cardinal Cipriani recalled that during the past 12 months the joy and beneficial effect of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has been rediscovered in many parishes and religious communities. In fact 40 churches and chapels in Lima now have regular exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Other fruits highlighted by the Cardinal included a new flourish of vocations and increased attendance at Sunday Mass. Lastly he made another call for more inward prayer encouraging those present to “fall in love with the Eucharist so that every parish becomes a beacon of light and hope. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/11/2005, righe 25, parole 367)
