AMERICA/BRAZIL - Leaving the 15th national Eucharistic Congress with a commitment in the heart to “bear witness that the Church lives of the Eucharist”

Florianopolis (Fides Service) - “Now that the 15th National Eucharistic Congress in Florianopolis from 18 to 21 May is over and people return to their homes with warm memories, will the event have consequences on the lives of the participants, will it contribute to the life of the Church in Brazil?” These thoughts were expressed by the Archbishop of Florianópolis Murilo Krieger in an open letter dated 23 May.
Archbishop Murilo said he hoped for various fruits from the Congress "thanks to the love and creativity of the participants”, and he listed five: "more enthusiastic witness to the presence of God in the world to counter groups and strong forces which openly try to destroy the idea of Jesus Christ in the world”. In this situation the Archbishop urged the people “not to be afraid or ashamed to speak about God and defend the values of the Gospel". Secondly the Archbishop called “spirituality which is more profoundly Eucharistic...we must learn from Christ to give ourselves to others, especially the poor, the lonely the abandoned and immigrants”. Thirdly Archbishop Murilo stressed the need "to rediscover Sunday as the Lord’s Day with more active participation at Sunday drawing nourishment from the Bread of life” as food for the journey. The fourth fruit listed was “that parishes may organise more frequent adoration of the Eucharist outside Mass". He called for more time devoted to adoration in which "kneeling before Jesus in the Eucharist we make reparation with faith and love for indifference and offences to this Sacrament”. Last of all Archbishop Murilo called for more care to be taken in preparation for liturgical celebrations. And he concluded his letter urging people to return home with a commitment to: "bear witness to the fact that the Church lives of the Eucharist ". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/5/2006; righe 24, parole 333)