AMERICA/PARAGUAY - Bishops to priests: "More than ever this Easter must help us deepen the mystery of Christ"

Asuncion (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Paraguay addressed a message to the "brother priests" on Holy Thursday, on the solemn day "when the Lord jointly instituted the sacrament of priesthood and that of the Most Holy Eucharist, in a more significant manner in this moment of profound world crisis, where more than ever we focus on the deep adoration before the Mystery of Christ present in the Eucharist, from which hope is reborn".
In the text, sent to Fides, the Bishops underline the crucial moment that the world is experiencing, "where every priest must strive with his creativity and his pastoral charity to make his faithful have a word of faith and hope in the Lord, in the impossibility of a community Eucharistic celebration". "Aware of the current reality of COVID-19 - they continue -, we are united by a deep adhesion to the love of Christ and the Church, offering our life as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God for our people". They therefore urge: "More than ever this Easter should help us deepen the mystery of Christ 'who did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28). Our people expect a lot from you, from your life and from your generous commitment".
The Bishops therefore invite all priests to renew their consecration and their choice for Christ, although it is not possible to celebrate the Chrism Mass: "may this day be a renewed desire to deepen our identity". "The priesthood and the Eucharist are intimately united - they underline -, because Jesus becomes life and presence to strengthen our weakness and accompany us in our solitude". Recalling that this year in Paraguay is dedicated to the Word of God, the Bishops finally hope that "the Lord will make our hearts burn with the love of Christ, to proclaim him with courage and coherence", and invite to announce the Gospel and Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Thanking them for their fidelity, their silent service and for the sacramental fraternity that unites them in the one presbyteral body, the Bishops invite them to contemplate with gratitude Mary, Mother of Priests. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 10/4/2020)

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