| Vatican City (Fides Service) - “There exists a very close bond between "celebrating the Eucharist" and proclaiming Christ. To enter into communion with Him in the memorial of Easter means at the same time to become missionaries of the event relived in the liturgy; in a way it means rendering the event present in every epoch until the Lord comes again.” Pope John Paul II said this in his homily during Corpus Christi Mass celebrated in the square in front of the Cathedral of Rome St John Lateran on Thursday June 10. On the feast of Corpus Christi “the Church not only celebrates the Eucharist she also carries it in a solemn procession announcing publicly that the Sacrifice of Christ is for the salvation of the whole world” the Pope said in the homily. After the Mass, seated on his wheelchair behind the Blessed Sacrament on a simple white float decorated with flowers, the Pope took part in an hour long procession along the streets of Rome to the Basilica of St Mary Major.
During the homily the Pope gave an important announcement. He said there will be a “special Year of the Eucharist” from October this year. The year will be solemnly opened with the next International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara Mexico 10 to 17 October 2004 and close on the occasion of the next Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican 2 to 29 October 2005, on the theme The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church.
Reflecting on the passage of the Gospel read during the Mass (Lk 9,13), John Paul II said “Christ, "the living bread, come down from heaven", is the only one who can satisfy the hunger of mankind in every time and in every corner of the earth. However He does not wish to do this alone, and so, as in the miracle of the loaves, he calls his disciples to help... that miracle was a sign of the greatest mystery of love which is renewed every day at Mass: through ordained ministers Christ gives his Body and his Blood to be the life of humanity. All who nourish themselves worthily at his Table become living channels of His presence of love, mercy and peace.”
Lastly the Pope urged those present to look to the Blessed Virgin Mary to better understand the Eucharist’s power to transform: “Listening to Mary we will find in the Eucharistic mystery the courage and the strength to follow Christ the Good Shepherd and to serve Him in our brothers and sisters.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/6/2004 - Righe 25; Parole 364)
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