VATICAN CITY, 11 NOV 2010 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, who have completed preparations for the next congress, which will take place in the Irish capital Dublin in 2012.
"International Eucharistic Congresses already have a long history in the Church", the Holy Father noted. "They highlight the universal dimension of celebration. Celebration is, in fact, always a feast of faith around the Eucharistic Christ, the Christ of the supreme sacrifice for humanity, in which not only the faithful from a particular Church or nation participate, but, insofar as possible, from all over the world. It is the Church that gathers around her Lord and God".
"The task of Eucharistic Congresses, especially at the current time, is also that of making a special contribution to new evangelisation, promoting mystagogical evangelisation which is accomplished in the school of the prayerful Church, on the basis of the liturgy and through the liturgy. But each Congress also contains a new evangelising impulse in a more strictly missionary sense, so much so that the binomial term 'Eucharist-mission' has become part of the guidelines suggested by the Holy See".
The Holy Father completed his remarks with some liturgical-pastoral advice. "It is important", he said, "that each Eucharistic Congress should, in accordance with the reforming spirit of the Council, involve and integrate both 'extra missam' expressions of Eucharistic worship which have their roots in popular devotion, and associations of faithful which, in various ways, draw inspiration form the Eucharist. All forms of Eucharistic devotion, also recommended and encouraged by the Encyclical 'Ecclesia de Eucharistia' and the Post-Synodal Exhortation 'Sacramentum caritatis', must be harmoniously brought together in a Eucharistic ecclesiology oriented towards communion".
AC/ VIS 20101111 (300)
"International Eucharistic Congresses already have a long history in the Church", the Holy Father noted. "They highlight the universal dimension of celebration. Celebration is, in fact, always a feast of faith around the Eucharistic Christ, the Christ of the supreme sacrifice for humanity, in which not only the faithful from a particular Church or nation participate, but, insofar as possible, from all over the world. It is the Church that gathers around her Lord and God".
"The task of Eucharistic Congresses, especially at the current time, is also that of making a special contribution to new evangelisation, promoting mystagogical evangelisation which is accomplished in the school of the prayerful Church, on the basis of the liturgy and through the liturgy. But each Congress also contains a new evangelising impulse in a more strictly missionary sense, so much so that the binomial term 'Eucharist-mission' has become part of the guidelines suggested by the Holy See".
The Holy Father completed his remarks with some liturgical-pastoral advice. "It is important", he said, "that each Eucharistic Congress should, in accordance with the reforming spirit of the Council, involve and integrate both 'extra missam' expressions of Eucharistic worship which have their roots in popular devotion, and associations of faithful which, in various ways, draw inspiration form the Eucharist. All forms of Eucharistic devotion, also recommended and encouraged by the Encyclical 'Ecclesia de Eucharistia' and the Post-Synodal Exhortation 'Sacramentum caritatis', must be harmoniously brought together in a Eucharistic ecclesiology oriented towards communion".
AC/ VIS 20101111 (300)
The Irish Bishops have invited Pope Benedict to the Irish Eucharist Congress June 2012. Maybe the State should invite him as well, just like the UK did
ReplyDeleteIn his letter to the Catholic people of Ireland Pope Benedict said particular attention should be given to Eucharistic adoration and in every diocese there should be churches or chapels devoted to this purpose. He asked parishes, seminaries, religious houses to organise periods of Eucharistic adoration, so that all have an opportunity to take part.This would be a fitting preparation for a Eucharistic congress.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Martina.It will be interesting to see what type of State we will have then!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that Ireland has been blessed to be the chosen location for the next Eucharistic Congress, at this point in time. The reign of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus in the hearts and minds of all people must be worked for and prayed for by all those who have been graced to know how important this is and what a blessing it brings, both personally and universally. I pray that those who hold the responsibility for organising this most marvellous of events, do so in strict accordance with the wishes and advices of our Holy Father and the teachings of the church on such matters. God bless our Pope and God bless the organisers of this happy event.
ReplyDeleteCaitríona C