Thursday, June 10, 2004

Pope declares 'Year of the Eucharist'

One of the great things about being in Rome is living in the shadow of Pope John Paul II as he carries out his Petrine Ministry. Tonight was one of those times when I particularly appreciated this privilege.
At tonight's Corpus Christi procession, to the surprise and great joy of those present, the Pope announced a special Year of the Eucharist. Beginning with next October's Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico and ending with the October 2005 Synod of Bishops in Rome, the church will be invited to contemplate the Eucharist as source and summit of her life and mission.
The Holy Father's devotion to the Eucharist is well known - indeed he drew attention to the fact that his first encyclical of the new millenium was on this very theme. We can but hope that the Holy Spirit will enflame in us this same love of the Eucharist and that the church as a whole may appreciate the greatest of her treasures.

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