Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - Addressing the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Midday Angelus prayer on Sunday 17 October, Pope John Paul focussed his attention on conclusion of the International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara and the opening of the Year of the Eucharist in St Peter’s later that day.
“The International Eucharistic Congress being held in the Mexican city of Guadalajara closes today- the Pope said -. For a week the Eucharist has been celebrated as "light and life of the new millennium ". "Light", because the Eucharistic mystery irradiates the presence of Christ, the Light of the world; "Life", because in the Eucharist Jesus gives himself to us, as the Bread of life. This evening in St Peter’s Basilica I will preside a Concelebration of the Eucharist in spiritual union with the great assembly in Guadalajara. In this way I will solemnly open the Year of the Eucharist which will last until October 2005.”
“In the wake of Vatican II and the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 - the Pope continued - the Year of the Eucharist intends to be a special time to encounter Christ, present in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. In this mystery in a sacramental He brings about way his paschal sacrifice which redeemed humanity from the slavery of sin and he installed God’s Kingdom of love, justice and peace. The Church is born from the Paschal mystery of Jesus and this is why she ‘lives of the Eucharist.”
After the Angelus the Pope thanked the many people who wished him well on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of his election to the See of Peter: “While I ask the Lord to comfort each and all with the abundance of his gifts I entrust myself to Him and I invoke, through the intercession of Most Holy Mary, his constant help for the fruitful exercise of my ministry in the Church.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2004 - Righe 21; Parole 282)
