POPE ANNOUNCES EUCHARISTIC YEAR BEGINNING IN OCTOBER

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. surmounted by a canopy
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