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VATICAN CITY, JUN 10, 2004 (VIS) - During a Eucharistic celebration
this afternoon in St. John Lateran Basilica for the solemnity of Corpus
Christi, the Pope announced a Eucharistic Year starting in October of 2004
and ending in October of 2005.
Commenting on St. Paul's words to the Corinthians - "As often as you
eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He
comes again" - John Paul II said in his homily that whoever participates in
the Lord's banquet "joins in the mystery of the Lord's death, and becomes
His 'herald'. Therefore there is an intimate relationship between
'celebrating the Eucharist' and 'announcing Christ'. Entering into communion
with Him in the memorial of Easter means, at the same time, becoming
missionaries of the event which this rite renews in every age; in a certain
sense, it means making it current in every age, until the Lord comes again."
"From the time of Pentecost when the People of the New Covenant
'began their pilgrimage toward the heavenly homeland, the Divine Sacrament
continued to mark their days, filling them with faithful hope.' Thinking
precisely of this, I wanted to dedicate the first encyclical of the new
millennium to the Eucharist and I am happy now to announce a special 'Year
of the Eucharist.' It will begin with the World Eucharistic Congress which
will take place from October 10 to 17, 2004 in Guadalajara, Mexico and will
end with the next ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops which will take
place from October 2-29, 2005 on the theme 'The Eucharist font and
culmination of the life and mission of the Church'. Through the Eucharist,
the ecclesial community is built up like a new Jerusalem, the beginning of
unity in Christ among different persons and peoples."
The Pope indicated that "Christ, 'living bread from heaven,' is the
only One who can satiate man's hunger in every time and in every part of the
earth. However, He does not want to do it alone, and therefore, as in the
multiplication of the loaves, it involves disciples. ... This prodigious
sign is a manifestation of the greatest mystery of love which is renewed
every day in the Mass: through the ordered ministries, Christ gives up His
Body and Blood for humanity. And how many people nourish themselves
worthily at His table and become living instruments of His presence of love,
mercy and peace."
After the Mass, the Holy Father presided at a Eucharistic procession
that went along Via Merulana to St. Mary Major Basilica. Thousands of people
accompanied the Blessed Sacrament which was transported in a white open,
canopy-covered vehicle in which the Pope also rode.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has planned a series of events and programs to mark the Eucharistic Year. For more information, open the PDF below.
World Eucharistic Year web site
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