THE EUCHARIST IS A FORETASTE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2000 (VIS) - The theme of the Holy Father's catechesis during today's general audience, which was attended by 50,000 pilgrims, was: "The Eucharist opens to the future of God."

"The communion with Christ which we are now living as pilgrims and travellers along the paths of history, anticipates that supreme encounter of the day in which 'we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is'." In this way the faithful "find, in the bread of the Eucharist, the strength to walk towards the radiant goal of the holy city."

John Paul II recalled that St. Luke and St. Paul both affirm that "the Eucharist is an anticipation of the kingdom of God's horizon of glorious light." St. Paul explicitly states that "the Eucharistic supper is associated with the final coming of the Lord: 'As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes'."

St. John, continued the Pope, when he says that whoever eats of this bread "will live for ever," gives us to understand that "eternal life" is "the same divine life that surpasses the frontiers of time. The Eucharist, being communion with Christ, is, therefore, participation in the life of God who is eternal and triumphs over death."

The Holy Father encouraged Christians not to neglect "this encounter, this banquet which Christ prepares for us in His love. May our sharing in it be most worthy and joyful!"

In his greetings at the end of the audience, the Pope recalled that Saturday, October 28 marks the 42nd anniversary of the election to the See of Peter of Pope John XXIII, "whom I recently had the joy of proclaiming blessed. He will remain in history as the Pope of goodness, the 'good Pope'."

AG;EUCHARIST;...;...;VIS;20001025;Word: 310;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Perth, Australia, presented by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Healy, upon having reached the age limit.

RE;...;...;HEALY ;VIS;20001025;Word: 40;

ARCHBISHOP CORDES TO VISIT FLOOD VICTIMS IN VALLE D'AOSTA

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2000 (VIS) - Tomorrow, October 25, Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will visit flood victims in Italy's northern region of Valle d'Aosta, at the request of the Holy Father, according to a communique released this afternoon.

"John Paul II," adds the communique, "had already expressed his pain for the victims of the floods last Wednesday. With this new gesture he wishes to underline the special closeness that he feels towards those who are suffering in northern Italy and, in particular, for the populations who, for many years now, have welcomed him with affection during the summer period."

Archbishop Cordes will meet with civil and religious officials and flood victims and will preside at a Eucharistic celebration at Donnas for the homeless and the volunteers who are assisting them.

CON-CU;VISIT FLOOD VICTIMS;...;CORDES;VIS;20001024;Word: 140;

THE SEMINARY, AN ENVIRONMENT OF MEN OF PROFOUND FAITH

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2000 (VIS) - In the Clementine Hall at 11:30 a.m. today, the Pope received the rector, teachers, students and members of the association of friends of the major seminary of the Metropolis of Warmia, "Hosianum" in Olsztyn, Poland.

John Paul II said that "the seminary must be an environment of men of profound faith, of unshakable hope and of self-denying charity. An environment of men open to the action of the Holy Spirit, that awakens in Christ's disciples the desire for active commitment to promoting the coming of the kingdom of the Father. The seminary must also be a place where humanly mature priests are formed, priests who know how to use modern culture's advances and who want to contribute to its creation."

AC;...;...;SEMINARY OLSZTYN;VIS;20001024;Word: 130;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, archbishop of Krakow, Poland.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20001024;Word: 20;