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His Holiness, John Paul II, desires to begin the Apostolic Letter "Mane nobiscum Domine", addressed to the College of Bishops, to the clergy and all the faithful on the occasion of the Year of the Eucharist (October 2004 - October 2005), with the sincere invitation given by the disciples of Emmaus to the "Wayfarer" who joined them during their walk: "Stay with us, Lord, because night is coming" (Lk 24:29). The "Unknown Wayfarer" remained, and from that moment, the Teacher would "remain" forever, for all of us, under the appearance of "breaking of the bread", to bring heat, comfort, light, friendship, and hope, in a hidden way, in our mind and in the world.
The year that will officially be opened by the Holy Father, John Paul II, on Sunday, the 17th of October, begins with a solemn ceremony during which the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica will be connected by live television with Guadalajara (Mexico) on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress (October 10 - 17, 2004). This event offers a strong invitation for the Universal Church to live the mystery of the Holy Eucharist with renewed vigor and with an inner desire to rediscover that along our journey, which is not always clear and easy, the divine "Wayfarer" remains our companion (cf. Mane nobiscum Domine), faithful to His promise of "staying with us every day until the end of the world" (Mt 28:20).
Through the human gesture of "fractio panis" we daily renew the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, "the living bread come down from Heaven" (Jn 6:51). The aspect of conviviality expresses the relationship of communion that the Father desires to establish with us in an admirable way, and one that we must establish with our brothers, in particular with those who are poor, whether spiritually or materially. As the Holy Father, John Paul II, has emphasized in the Apostolic Letter "Mane nobiscum Domine", this means that "The Eucharist is not merely an expression of communion in the Church's life, it is also a project of solidarity for all humanity... The Christian who partakes in the Eucharist learns to become a promoter of communion, peace and solidarity in every situation. More than ever, our troubled world, which began the new Millennium with the specter of terrorism and the tragedy of war, demands that Christians learn to experience the Eucharist as a great school of peace, forming men and women who, at various levels of responsibility in social, cultural and political life, can become promoters of dialogue and communion."
In this spirit of open dialogue and exchange is framed the praiseworthy initiative to publish a book that highlights the Eucharistic mystery, emphasizing its ineffable and spiritual nature.
Thanks to this volume, the Philippine Church clearly shows its devotion to the Successor of St. Peter by understanding the deep meaning that, according to the mind of the Holy Father, should particularly animate the intentions and the works of all those that have chosen to follow Christ in this time of Grace.
I sincerely hope that the present publication will be widely distributed as an instrument of edification and deep inspiration, and that it will become, at the same time, a living and effective impetus to full participation within the life of the ecclesial community. Further, especially during this Year of the Eucharist, the Christian community is invited to be a living and experienced testimony to a faith which brings to light a renewed Christian life as authentically and profoundly transformed by love.
+ Francesco Cardinal Marchisano, D.D.
Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica
General Vicar of His Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Vatican City
In the midst of my current illness, I have received great joy and consolation in our Holy Father's proclamation of the International Year of the Eucharist.
As one might imagine, I have spent much time since my retirement reflecting upon the years that God in His goodness has given to me. My reminiscing has included the relishing of some very fond memories as well as coming to terms with a certain number of regrets. What I would like to take this opportunity to share is my realization that in my entire life I cannot think of even a single Holy Mass that I regret having assisted at or offered and cannot think of even a single moment that I regret having spent with our sweet Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Please do not pass over this confession lightly. Whether young or old, there are regrets that each one of us have experienced or will experience at some point during our lives. Yet I can assure you with the greatest of certainty that never have I regretted nor ever will you regret anything done for love of Jesus in the Eucharist! It is here that we experience and understand the words of Pope John Paul II: "Amid our questions and difficulties, and even our bitter disappointments, the divine Wayfarer continues to walk at our side." (Mane nobiscum Domine)
The Holy Father asks during this Year of the Grace for a profound renewal of our awareness that: "The Eucharist is a Mystery of Presence, the perfect fulfillment of Jesus' promise to remain with us until the end of the world." (Mane nobiscum Domine) I was particularly heartened by the Pope's specific, strong and repeated emphasis on adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
As I approach the twilight of my life I can see with the greatest clarity that truly there is no better time we can spend on earth than the time we spend with Jesus in the Eucharist. No matter how devoted we are to Him, His Presence with us in the Blessed Sacrament is Living Proof that He is infinitely more devoted to us. In His own Body & Blood He gives us a pledge of eternal life and a foretaste of Heaven.
Early in my life I entrusted myself to the guidance and care of Mary. She has always been for me a loving and devoted Mother and has always pointed me to her Son. As she has loved me so I have always tried to love my priests and to love the flock entrusted to my care. With this MESSAGE I desire to lend my voice to Mary's by pointing to the One Who loves you the Most: Jesus waits for you in this Sacrament of His Infinite Love and Divine Mercy! Go to Him!!!
I thank the Holy Father for this Year of the Eucharist. Having been given this glimpse of the renewal of the Church I feel as though I can now say with Simeon: Now, Lord, You can let your servant go in peace.
+ Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, D.D.
Archbishop Emeritus of Manila
Primate of the Philippines
This book, Church of the Eucharist - New Evangelization, brings us to the heart of our Faith, the living presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is truly the center and summit of Christian life because it is the one sacrament that draws all others to itself.
The Holy Eucharist is especially connected to the sacrament of Holy Orders, for the priest is the minister of the Eucharistic celebration. It is from the Eucharist that the priest derives his identity and ministry.
As I explained during our recent National Congress of the Clergy, the priesthood is both a mystery of divine election and a gift of divine mercy. The gift is a sign of God's love and the mystery is an invitation to divine intimacy.
There is only one Priesthood - that of Christ Jesus Who by the Blood of His Cross entered into the Eternal Sanctuary. Our priesthood is a participation in the Priesthood of Christ. The sacramental representation of His Sacrifice on Calvary is the very raison d'être of our priesthood. This is why the institution of the priesthood coincides with the institution of the Eucharist on the night of Holy Thursday.
The gift of the priesthood is indeed a sign of God's love and an invitation to divine intimacy because of its essential relationship with the Gift of the Eucharist. The Holy Father tells us that our religion is a religion of glory, the religion of dwelling in the Heart of the Triune God. (Tertio Millennio Adveniente) The Holy Eucharist is our access to the inner life of the Trinity, and the priesthood is the key to that door.
During this Year of Grace, the Holy Father specifically asks for a renewal of our celebration of Holy Mass, in accordance with the Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, and for a renewed appreciation and promotion of the importance of Eucharistic adoration. It is my hope that this present book will help "to rekindle amazement in the Eucharist" (Ecclesia de Eucharistia) amongst our priests and to ignite zeal in their hearts "to live and teach how to live the total mysteries of the Eucharist" (John Paul II, Seville, Spain, June 1993) in profound imitation of Mary.
The Holy Father exhorts all priests thus:
"Dear priests, who repeat the words of consecration each day, and are witnesses and heralds of the great miracle of love which takes place at your hands: be challenged by the grace of this special Year; celebrate Holy Mass each day with the same joy and fervor with which you celebrated your first Mass, and willingly spend time in prayer before the tabernacle." (Mane nobiscum Domine) May Mary, "a woman of the Eucharist in her whole life" (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 53), carry us with her prayers and guide us on our pilgrim way.
I pray this little book will inspire and increase our devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and move every priest to a renewal of his life and ministry.
+ Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, D.D.
Archbishop of Cebu
At the Last Supper Jesus said to His disciples, "Peace I bequeath to you, My own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is My gift to you." (Jn. 14:27) Torn as our nation is by strife and suffering, the Year of the Eucharist is a powerful reminder to us that peace is not simply an absence of war, hatred, violence, division and oppression. Peace is never an absence - it is a presence!
Peace is the presence of justice, solidarity and the true freedom given to man by which he may grow in the light of God's truth and love and in service to one another.
"The Christian who takes part in the Eucharist learns to become a promoter of communion, peace and solidarity in every situation. More than ever, our troubled world, which began the new Millennium with the specter of terrorism and the tragedy of war, demands that Christians learn to experience the Eucharist as a great school of peace, forming men and women who, at various levels of responsibility in social, cultural and political life, can become promoters of dialogue and communion." (Mane nobiscum Domine)
Dear brothers and sisters, peace is truly a precious gift that Jesus continues to offer us in the very Gift of Himself. In proclaiming the Year of the Eucharist, the Holy Father exhorts us that peace can be attained through our participation in the divine life of Christ, the Prince of Peace!
It seems that we have tried nearly everything in addressing the seemingly endless conflicts that continue to bear the bitter fruit of human suffering, yet the whole world continues to groan in pain. Should we not take note of the advice given to the leper Naaman by his servant, "If the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, would you not have done it?" (2 Kgs. 5:13)
During this Year of the Eucharist, the Pope isn't asking us to do something difficult nor to abandon our many works and undertakings in the service of justice and peace. He is, however, reminding us that to attain the peace we seek we must put Jesus in the Eucharist at the center of our lives and at the center of the Church.
"My Brother Bishops will certainly understand that this initiative... is meant to take place on a deeply spiritual level, so that it will in no way interfere with the pastoral programs of the individual Churches. Rather, it can shed light upon those programs, anchoring them, so to speak, in the very Mystery which nourishes the spiritual life of the faithful and the initiatives of each local Church." (Mane nobiscum Domine)
It is my fervent prayer that, by a deeply spiritual renewal of devotion to our Lord in the Mystery of Love and Peace He has bequeathed to us, we will attain peace in our land and throughout the world. I hope that this book will help serve this end.
"Do not be distressed or fearful!" (Jn. 14:27) "Gazing upon Mary, we come to know the transforming power of the Eucharist." (Ecclesia de Eucharistia) Let us entrust ourselves to Mary with new hope that, through the power of the Eucharist, our world will be transformed in love!
+ Fernando R. Capalla, D.D.
Archbishop of Davao
CBCP President
'The Eucharist saves the world' was the theme of the first Eucharistic Congress at Lille, France, in 1881. Inspired by a lay-woman, Emily Tamisier, who was in turn inspired by St. Peter Julian Eymard, the purpose of the Congress was, and still is, to give honor and increase devotion to the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Early Congresses, inspired by lively faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, gave rise also to a greater appreciation of Holy Communion and to the centrality of Holy Mass in the Christian life. The Manila Congress in 1937 recognized the missionary dimension of the Eucharist as the focal point for the re-evangelization of society. Later Congresses considered the Eucharist as our sure source of hope in the face of the problems confronting the world.
The Congress was held in Rome during the Year of the Great Jubilee in order to highlight Christ's Living and Saving Presence in the Church and the world. In continuity with this Jubilee legacy the theme of the recently concluded Congress in Guadalajara was, 'The Eucharist: Light and Life of the New Millennium'.
His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, has called for a Year of the Eucharist, beginning at the end of the Congress in Guadalajara and concluding with the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican in October 2005. During this Year of Grace the Pope asks us to reflect, 'at the school of Mary', upon the central theme of all the Congresses.
"All these dimensions of the Eucharist come together in one aspect which more than any other makes a demand on our faith: the Mystery of the 'Real Presence'. With the entire tradition of the Church, we believe that Jesus is Truly Present under the Eucharistic Species... Faith demands that we approach the Eucharist fully aware that we are approaching Christ Himself. It is precisely His Presence which gives the other aspects of the Eucharist - as Meal, as Memorial of the Paschal Mystery, as eschatological anticipation - a significance which goes far beyond mere symbolism. The Eucharist is a Mystery of Presence, the perfect fulfillment of Jesus' promise to remain with us until the end of the world." (Mane nobiscum Domine)
His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko, papal legate to the Guadalajara Congress, thus urged us to 'ask who the Eucharist is, not what the Eucharist is'.
The Pope asks us to promote a 'culture of the Eucharist' that entails 'witnessing with greater force to the Presence of God in the world'. Regarding our public witness to the Real Presence of Christ, His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, humorously explained how 'we have nothing to hide'. It was an echo of Our Lord Himself Who explained, also with a tinge of humor, how no one lights a lamp to put it under a basket. These explanations emphasize the Holy Father's desire that Eucharistic adoration be one of the primary efforts of this Year of Grace.
To ensure that the Congress bears fruit, follow-up in dioceses and parishes is essential. May this book serve as a follow-up to the Guadalajara Congress so that, with Mary, we will keep the flame burning until the 2008 Congress in Québec.
+ Carmelo D.F. Morelos, D.D.
Archbishop of Zamboanga
CBCP Chairman on Eucharistic Congresses
At the closing of the International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, Pope John Paul II invited us to consider the Eucharist as a Mystery of Light and Life in relation to the problems of our time.
"Mystery of Light! Man's heart is oppressed by sin and at times disoriented and exhausted, tried by sufferings of all sorts, and is in need of light. The world is in need of light! The Eucharist is light!"
"Mystery of Life! What aspiration can be greater than life? And yet, over this universal human longing, threatening shadows gather: the shadow of a culture that denies respect for life in each of its phases; the shadow of an indifference that condemns so many people to a fate of hunger and underdevelopment; the shadow of a scientific quest that at times is at the service of the egoism of the most powerful."
It seems that the Pope is speaking directly to us here in the Philippines where so many of our people have become materially impoverished if not completely destitute. Timely indeed is the Year of the Eucharist to give us guidance, strength and hope! The message of this Year of Grace is that through a full, faithful, and generous living of the Eucharistic Mystery, the Christian community becomes "a presence of light and life, a ferment of evangelization and solidarity."
"Dear Brothers and Sisters, we must feel moved by the needs of so many brothers. We cannot close our hearts to their calls for help. Neither can we forget that 'man shall not live by bread alone' (Mt. 4:4). We need the 'Living Bread come down from Heaven' (Jn. 6:51). Jesus is this Bread! To nourish ourselves on Him means to receive the very life of God (Jn. 10:10), opening us to the logic of love and sharing."
Considering the dire plight of so many who call for help, we might reasonably ask: Where shall we buy bread for all these people to eat? Yet as a preface to His Eucharistic discourse, Jesus used the pittance offered by one little boy to feed vast multitudes and yet twelve baskets remained! The logic of love and sharing, the fruit of union with Christ in the Eucharist, is indeed the key for our success. Whatever we give for love of Jesus, no matter how small and insignificant, is multiplied by Him so that many can be fed and yet an abundant supply remains.
This logic of love and sharing was well manifested for us in Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. 'All for Jesus!' she would frequently say. She explained that the more we learn to recognize and love Jesus disguised under the appearance of bread in the Most Blessed Sacrament, more also do we learn to recognize and love Him disguised under the appearance of our needy brothers and sisters.
While instituting the Eucharist Jesus told us, 'Abide in My Love'. Mother Mary tells us, 'Do whatever He tells you!' May this book spur us all to a full, faithful and generous union with the Eucharistic Mystery of Light and Life. Let us pray together with the Pope: "Mane nobiscum, Domine! Stay with us, Lord! You, Divine Pilgrim, expert on our paths and knower of our hearts, do not leave us prisoners of the shadows of night. Protect us in exhaustion, forgive our sins, guide our steps on the way of goodness." Amen.
+ Gaudencio B. Rosales, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
This little book, prepared by Deacon Barth E. Bracy, will do much good out of proportion to its size. It will help readers - and I hope that they will reach many thousands, or even more - gain a deeper understanding of the place of the Eucharist in the new evangelization to which Pope John Paul II has been tirelessly calling the Church.
Deacon Bracy has compiled a very readable mosaic culled from the Scriptures and from Vatican II and the writings of the Popes, in other words, from the most authentic sources, in order to project a vision of a Eucharist-centered evangelization. This vision is a challenging one, crying for realization by the People of God.
Individuals and groups can make good use of this book by reading it meditatively and discussing it with a view to putting its contents into practice. It is a very valuable resource material which will be widely helpful to individuals and parishes during this International Year of the Eucharist.
As Deacon Bracy produced this book out of a great love for the Eucharist and his zeal for the new evangelization, so may those who read it be inflamed with love for our Eucharistic Lord truly present in every Eucharistic sacrifice and in every tabernacle, and inspired with zeal to make Jesus in the Eucharist known and loved by all.
+ Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr., D.D.
Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches
Dearest Friends of Our Eucharistic Lord,
The late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said that the only thing about which he would ever dare boast was that in all his years of priesthood he had never missed his daily holy hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. For my part, the only thing about which I care to boast is the great privilege I have had to participate in the apostolate of promoting perpetual adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
In 1986, His Eminence, Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, invited the author of this New Evangelization, the Rev. Fr. Vincent Martin Lucia, to the Philippines after meeting him at the International Eucharistic Congress in Kenya. Fr. Lucia had already been preaching about the Church of the Eucharist and promoting Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration for many years prior. The fruits of Fr. Lucia's work have been overwhelming! I was blessed to work closely with him as I was appointed as National Director of PEA.
In addition to encouraging parishes throughout the Philippines to establish perpetual adoration, I have had the privilege of having PEA in the two parishes to which I have been assigned since 1986. As a pastor, I can attest to the remarkable fruits. If ever I were to have the time I could easily write a thick volume of the miracles that have transformed the lives of so many people because of their encounter with Jesus in the adoration chapel at the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz - especially during the grace-laden night hours. Anyone who visited Binondo Church in the early nineties and would compare it to the parish today can easily observe the transforming effect that PEA has on parishes. Our adoration program was truly the impetus and source of grace for community renewal. A chapel of perpetual adoration might well be likened to a power plant that provides light and energy for all the parish undertakings.
Just a few months ago I was transferred to a new parish, the Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. Because the parish does not yet have perpetual adoration I am working with Deacon Barth to establish my third PEA program. The architect just submitted to me the plans for the little chapel and I am hoping to schedule our parish evangelization during this extraordinary Year of the Eucharist.
During this Year of Grace, the Holy Father highlights the very themes with which he began his pontificate. "Indeed the Church has only one life; that which is given by her Spouse and Lord. Do not be afraid! Open, indeed, open wide the doors to Christ!" Through Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a parish opens wide the doors to Christ, day and night, and by uniting herself ceaselessly to His Divine Presence manifests the truth of her essential identity as His Beloved Spouse.
In order to help parishes around the country to properly establish and maintain PEA we established, with the encouragement of Cardinal Sin, the League of Eucharistic Guardians. As Moderator and Promoter, Deacon Barth has already successfully helped so many parishes throughout Metro Manila and even into the provinces. It is our hope that, before too long, the Philippines will be able to boast of 1000 chapels of perpetual adoration as I believe with all my heart that this is what the Blessed Mother wants for our nation. In order to help achieve this goal I encourage parishes to contact Deacon Barth or myself. How happy we would be during this Year of the Eucharist if more parishes, organizations and individuals would contact us rather than us going out in search of you.
My heartfelt prayer that accompanies each copy of this little book is that the fruit of all the efforts involved in its production will be for more parishes in the Philippines and around the world to conduct a Eucharistic Evangelization leading to perpetual adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Whether you, dearest Reader, are a Bishop, Priest, Deacon, Religious or Lay Person, please contact us so that together we can do something beautiful for Jesus.
In His Eucharistic Love,
Msgr. Josefino S. Ramirez, H.P.
Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila
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Church of the Eucharist - New EvangelizationMESSAGES | |||||||||||
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