ECCLESIADEEUCHARISTIA

PopeJohnPaulII

ENCYCLICALLETTER

ECCLESIADEEUCHARISTIA
OFHISHOLINESS
POPEJOHNPAULII
TOTHEBISHOPS
PRIESTSANDDEACONS
MENANDWOMEN
INTHECONSECRATEDLIFE
ANDALLTHELAYFAITHFUL
ONTHEEUCHARIST
INITSRELATIONSHIPTOTHECHURCH

INTRODUCTION

1.TheChurchdrawsherlifefromtheEucharist.Thistruthdoesnotsimplyexpress
adailyexperienceoffaith,butrecapitulatestheheartofthemysteryoftheChurch.
Inavarietyofwaysshejoyfullyexperiencestheconstantfulfilmentofthepromise:
Lo,Iamwithyoualways,tothecloseoftheage(Mt28:20),butintheHoly
Eucharist,throughthechangingofbreadandwineintothebodyandbloodofthe
Lord,sherejoicesinthispresencewithuniqueintensity.EversincePentecost,when
theChurch,thePeopleoftheNewCovenant,beganherpilgrimjourneytowardsher
heavenlyhomeland,theDivineSacramenthascontinuedtomarkthepassingofher
days,fillingthemwithconfidenthope.

TheSecondVaticanCouncilrightlyproclaimedthattheEucharisticsacrificeisthe
sourceandsummitoftheChristianlife.1ForthemostholyEucharistcontainsthe
Church'sentirespiritualwealth:Christhimself,ourpassoverandlivingbread.
Throughhisownflesh,nowmadelivingandlifegivingbytheHolySpirit,heoffers
lifetomen.2ConsequentlythegazeoftheChurchisconstantlyturnedtoherLord,
presentintheSacramentoftheAltar,inwhichshediscoversthefullmanifestation
ofhisboundlesslove.

2.DuringtheGreatJubileeoftheYear2000Ihadanopportunitytocelebratethe
EucharistintheCenacleofJerusalemwhere,accordingtotradition,itwasfirst
celebratedbyJesushimself.TheUpperRoomwaswherethismostholySacrament
wasinstituted.ItistherethatChristtookbread,brokeitandgaveittohisdisciples,
saying:Takethis,allofyou,andeatit:thisismybodywhichwillbegivenupfor
you(cf.Mk26:26Lk22:191Cor11:24).Thenhetookthecupofwineandsaid
tothem:Takethis,allofyouanddrinkfromit:thisisthecupofmyblood,the
bloodofthenewandeverlastingcovenant.Itwillbeshedforyouandforall,sothat
sinsmaybeforgiven(cf.Mt14:24Lk22:201Cor11:25).Iamgratefultothe
LordJesusforallowingmetorepeatinthatsameplace,inobediencetohis
command:Dothisinmemoryofme(Lk22:19),thewordswhichhespoketwo
thousandyearsago.
DidtheApostleswhotookpartintheLastSupperunderstandthemeaningofthe
wordsspokenbyChrist?Perhapsnot.Thosewordswouldonlybefullyclearatthe
endoftheTri,thetimefromThursdayeveningtoSundaymorning.Thosedays
embracethemysteriumpaschaletheyalsoembracethemysteriumeucharisticum.

3.TheChurchwasbornofthepaschalmystery.ForthisveryreasontheEucharist,
whichisinanoutstandingwaythesacramentofthepaschalmystery,standsatthe
centreoftheChurch'slife.Thisisalreadyclearfromtheearliestimagesofthe
ChurchfoundintheActsoftheApostles:TheydevotedthemselvestotheApostles'
teachingandfellowship,tothebreakingofbreadandtheprayers(2:42).The
breakingofthebreadreferstotheEucharist.Twothousandyearslater,we
continuetorelivethatprimordialimageoftheChurch.Ateverycelebrationofthe
Eucharist,wearespirituallybroughtbacktothepaschalTriduum:totheeventsof
theeveningofHolyThursday,totheLastSupperandtowhatfollowedit.The
institutionoftheEucharistsacramentallyanticipatedtheeventswhichwereaboutto
takeplace,beginningwiththeagonyinGethsemane.OnceagainweseeJesusashe
leavestheUpperRoom,descendswithhisdisciplestotheKidronvalleyandgoesto
theGardenofOlives.EventodaythatGardenshelterssomeveryancientolivetrees.
Perhapstheywitnessedwhathappenedbeneaththeirshadethatevening,when
Christinprayerwasfilledwithanguishandhissweatbecamelikedropsofblood
fallingdownupontheground(cf.Lk22:44).Thebloodwhichshortlybeforehe
hadgiventotheChurchasthedrinkofsalvationinthesacramentoftheEucharist,
begantobesheditsoutpouringwouldthenbecompletedonGolgothatobecome
themeansofourredemption:Christ...ashighpriestofthegoodthingstocome...,
enteredonceforallintotheHolyPlace,takingnotthebloodofgoatsandcalvesbut
hisownblood,thussecuringaneternalredemption(Heb9:1112).

4.Thehourofourredemption.Althoughdeeplytroubled,Jesusdoesnotfleebefore
hishour.AndwhatshallIsay?'Father,savemefromthishour?'No,forthis
purposeIhavecometothishour(Jn12:27).Hewantedhisdisciplestokeephim
company,yethehadtoexperiencelonelinessandabandonment:So,couldyounot
watchwithmeonehour?Watchandpraythatyoumaynotenterintotemptation
(Mt26:4041).OnlyJohnwouldremainatthefootoftheCross,atthesideofMary
andthefaithfulwomen.TheagonyinGethsemanewastheintroductiontotheagony
oftheCrossonGoodFriday.Theholyhour,thehouroftheredemptionofthe
world.WhenevertheEucharistiscelebratedatthetombofJesusinJerusalem,there
isanalmosttangiblereturntohishour,thehourofhisCrossandglorification.
EverypriestwhocelebratesHolyMass,togetherwiththeChristiancommunity
whichtakespartinit,isledbackinspirittothatplaceandthathour.

Hewascrucified,hesuffereddeathandwasburiedhedescendedtothedeadon
thethirddayheroseagain.Thewordsoftheprofessionoffaithareechoedbythe
wordsofcontemplationandproclamation:ThisisthewoodoftheCross,onwhich
hungtheSaviouroftheworld.Come,letusworship.Thisistheinvitationwhich
theChurchextendstoallintheafternoonhoursofGoodFriday.Shethentakesup
hersongduringtheEasterseasoninordertoproclaim:TheLordisrisenfromthe
tombforoursakehehungontheCross,Alleluia.

5.Mysteriumfidei!TheMysteryofFaith!.Whenthepriestrecitesorchants
thesewords,allpresentacclaim:Weannounceyourdeath,OLord,andwe
proclaimyourresurrection,untilyoucomeinglory.

IntheseorsimilarwordstheChurch,whilepointingtoChristinthemysteryofhis
passion,alsorevealsherownmystery:EcclesiadeEucharistia.Bythegiftofthe
HolySpiritatPentecosttheChurchwasbornandsetoutuponthepathwaysofthe
world,yetadecisivemomentinhertakingshapewascertainlytheinstitutionofthe
EucharistintheUpperRoom.HerfoundationandwellspringisthewholeTriduum
paschale,butthisisasitweregatheredup,foreshadowedandconcentrated'for
everinthegiftoftheEucharist.InthisgiftJesusChristentrustedtohisChurchthe
perennialmakingpresentofthepaschalmystery.Withithebroughtabouta
mysteriousonenessintimebetweenthatTriduumandthepassageofthecenturies.

Thethoughtofthisleadsustoprofoundamazementandgratitude.Inthepaschal
eventandtheEucharistwhichmakesitpresentthroughoutthecenturies,thereisa
trulyenormouscapacitywhichembracesallofhistoryastherecipientofthegrace
oftheredemption.ThisamazementshouldalwaysfilltheChurchassembledforthe
celebrationoftheEucharist.Butinaspecialwayitshouldfilltheministerofthe
Eucharist.Foritishewho,bytheauthoritygivenhiminthesacramentofpriestly
ordination,effectstheconsecration.Itishewhosayswiththepowercomingtohim
fromChristintheUpperRoom:Thisismybodywhichwillbegivenupforyou
Thisisthecupofmyblood,pouredoutforyou....Thepriestsaysthesewords,or
ratherheputshisvoiceatthedisposaloftheOnewhospokethesewordsinthe
UpperRoomandwhodesiresthattheyshouldberepeatedineverygenerationbyall
thosewhointheChurchministeriallyshareinhispriesthood.

6.IwouldliketorekindlethisEucharisticamazementbythepresentEncyclical
Letter,incontinuitywiththeJubileeheritagewhichIhavelefttotheChurchinthe
ApostolicLetterNovoMillennioIneunteanditsMariancrowning,Rosarium
VirginisMariae.TocontemplatethefaceofChrist,andtocontemplateitwithMary,
istheprogrammewhichIhavesetbeforetheChurchatthedawnofthethird
millennium,summoninghertoputoutintothedeepontheseaofhistorywiththe
enthusiasmofthenewevangelization.TocontemplateChristinvolvesbeingableto
recognizehimwhereverhemanifestshimself,inhismanyformsofpresence,but
aboveallinthelivingsacramentofhisbodyandhisblood.TheChurchdrawsher
lifefromChristintheEucharistbyhimsheisfedandbyhimsheisenlightened.
TheEucharistisbothamysteryoffaithandamysteryoflight.3Wheneverthe
ChurchcelebratestheEucharist,thefaithfulcaninsomewayrelivetheexperience
ofthetwodisciplesontheroadtoEmmaus:theireyeswereopenedandthey
recognizedhim(Lk24:31).

7.FromthetimeIbeganmyministryastheSuccessorofPeter,Ihavealways
markedHolyThursday,thedayoftheEucharistandofthepriesthood,bysendinga
lettertoallthepriestsoftheworld.Thisyear,thetwentyfifthofmyPontificate,I
wishtoinvolvethewholeChurchmorefullyinthisEucharisticreflection,alsoasa
wayofthankingtheLordforthegiftoftheEucharistandthepriesthood:Giftand
Mystery.4ByproclaimingtheYearoftheRosary,Iwishtoputthis,mytwenty
fifthanniversary,undertheaegisofthecontemplationofChristattheschoolof
Mary.Consequently,IcannotletthisHolyThursday2003passwithouthalting
beforetheEucharisticfaceofChristandpointingoutwithnewforcetothe
ChurchthecentralityoftheEucharist.

FromittheChurchdrawsherlife.Fromthislivingbreadshedrawsher
nourishment.HowcouldInotfeeltheneedtourgeeveryonetoexperienceitever
anew?

8.WhenIthinkoftheEucharist,andlookatmylifeasapriest,asaBishopandas
theSuccessorofPeter,InaturallyrecallthemanytimesandplacesinwhichIwas
abletocelebrateit.IremembertheparishchurchofNiegowi,whereIhadmyfirst
pastoralassignment,thecollegiatechurchofSaintFlorianinKrakow,Wawel
Cathedral,SaintPeter'sBasilicaandsomanybasilicasandchurchesinRomeand
throughouttheworld.IhavebeenabletocelebrateHolyMassinchapelsbuiltalong
mountainpaths,onlakeshoresandseacoastsIhavecelebrateditonaltarsbuiltin
stadiumsandincitysquares...ThisvariedscenarioofcelebrationsoftheEucharist
hasgivenmeapowerfulexperienceofitsuniversaland,sotospeak,cosmic
character.Yes,cosmic!Becauseevenwhenitiscelebratedonthehumblealtarofa
countrychurch,theEucharistisalwaysinsomewaycelebratedonthealtarofthe
world.Itunitesheavenandearth.Itembracesandpermeatesallcreation.TheSonof
Godbecamemaninordertorestoreallcreation,inonesupremeactofpraise,tothe
Onewhomadeitfromnothing.He,theEternalHighPriestwhobythebloodofhis
Crossenteredtheeternalsanctuary,thusgivesbacktotheCreatorandFatherall
creationredeemed.HedoessothroughthepriestlyministryoftheChurch,tothe
gloryoftheMostHolyTrinity.Trulythisisthemysteriumfideiwhichis
accomplishedintheEucharist:theworldwhichcameforthfromthehandsofGod
theCreatornowreturnstohimredeemedbyChrist.

9.TheEucharist,asChrist'ssavingpresenceinthecommunityofthefaithfulandits
spiritualfood,isthemostpreciouspossessionwhichtheChurchcanhaveinher
journeythroughhistory.Thisexplainsthelivelyconcernwhichshehasalways
shownfortheEucharisticmystery,aconcernwhichfindsauthoritativeexpressionin
theworkoftheCouncilsandthePopes.Howcanwenotadmirethedoctrinal
expositionsoftheDecreesontheMostHolyEucharistandontheHolySacrificeof
theMasspromulgatedbytheCouncilofTrent?ForcenturiesthoseDecreesguided
theologyandcatechesis,andtheyarestilladogmaticreferencepointforthe
continualrenewalandgrowthofGod'sPeopleinfaithandinlovefortheEucharist.
Intimesclosertoourown,threeEncyclicalLettersshouldbementioned:the
EncyclicalMiraeCaritatisofLeoXIII(28May1902),5theEncyclicalMediator
DeiofPiusXII(20November1947)6andtheEncyclicalMysteriumFideiofPaul
VI(3September1965).7

TheSecondVaticanCouncil,whilenotissuingaspecificdocumentonthe
Eucharisticmystery,considereditsvariousaspectsthroughoutitsdocuments,
especiallytheDogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentiumandthe
ConstitutionontheSacredLiturgySacrosanctumConcilium.

Imyself,inthefirstyearsofmyapostolicministryintheChairofPeter,wrotethe
ApostolicLetterDominicaeCenae(24February1980),8inwhichIdiscussedsome
aspectsoftheEucharisticmysteryanditsimportanceforthelifeofthosewhoareits
ministers.TodayItakeupanewthethreadofthatargument,withevengreater
emotionandgratitudeinmyheart,echoingasitwerethewordofthePsalmist:
WhatshallIrendertotheLordforallhisbountytome?Iwillliftupthecupof
salvationandcallonthenameoftheLord(Ps116:1213).

10.TheMagisterium'scommitmenttoproclaimingtheEucharisticmysteryhasbeen
matchedbyinteriorgrowthwithintheChristiancommunity.Certainlytheliturgical
reforminauguratedbytheCouncilhasgreatlycontributedtoamoreconscious,
activeandfruitfulparticipationintheHolySacrificeoftheAltaronthepartofthe
faithful.Inmanyplaces,adorationoftheBlessedSacramentisalsoanimportant
dailypracticeandbecomesaninexhaustiblesourceofholiness.Thedevout
participationofthefaithfulintheEucharisticprocessionontheSolemnityofthe
BodyandBloodofChristisagracefromtheLordwhichyearlybringsjoytothose
whotakepartinit.
OtherpositivesignsofEucharisticfaithandlovemightalsobementioned.

Unfortunately,alongsidetheselights,therearealsoshadows.Insomeplacesthe
practiceofEucharisticadorationhasbeenalmostcompletelyabandoned.Invarious
partsoftheChurchabuseshaveoccurred,leadingtoconfusionwithregardtosound
faithandCatholicdoctrineconcerningthiswonderfulsacrament.Attimesone
encountersanextremelyreductiveunderstandingoftheEucharisticmystery.
Strippedofitssacrificialmeaning,itiscelebratedasifitweresimplyafraternal
banquet.Furthermore,thenecessityoftheministerialpriesthood,groundedin
apostolicsuccession,isattimesobscuredandthesacramentalnatureofthe
Eucharistisreducedtoitsmereeffectivenessasaformofproclamation.Thishasled
hereandtheretoecumenicalinitiativeswhich,albeitwellintentioned,indulgein
EucharisticpracticescontrarytothedisciplinebywhichtheChurchexpressesher
faith.Howcanwenotexpressprofoundgriefatallthis?TheEucharististoogreata
gifttotolerateambiguityanddepreciation.

ItismyhopethatthepresentEncyclicalLetterwilleffectivelyhelptobanishthe
darkcloudsofunacceptabledoctrineandpractice,sothattheEucharistwillcontinue
toshineforthinallitsradiantmystery.

CHAPTERONE

THEMYSTERYOFFAITH
11.TheLordJesusonthenighthewasbetrayed(1Cor11:23)institutedthe
EucharisticSacrificeofhisbodyandhisblood.ThewordsoftheApostlePaulbring
usbacktothedramaticsettinginwhichtheEucharistwasborn.TheEucharistis
indeliblymarkedbytheeventoftheLord'spassionanddeath,ofwhichitisnotonly
areminderbutthesacramentalrepresentation.ItisthesacrificeoftheCross
perpetuateddowntheages.9Thistruthiswellexpressedbythewordswithwhich
theassemblyintheLatinriterespondstothepriest'sproclamationoftheMystery
ofFaith:Weannounceyourdeath,OLord.

TheChurchhasreceivedtheEucharistfromChristherLordnotasonegift
howeverpreciousamongsomanyothers,butasthegiftparexcellence,foritisthe
giftofhimself,ofhispersoninhissacredhumanity,aswellasthegiftofhissaving
work.Nordoesitremainconfinedtothepast,sinceallthatChristisallthathe
didandsufferedforallmenparticipatesinthedivineeternity,andsotranscends
alltimes.10

WhentheChurchcelebratestheEucharist,thememorialofherLord'sdeathand
resurrection,thiscentraleventofsalvationbecomesreallypresentandtheworkof
ourredemptioniscarriedout.11Thissacrificeissodecisiveforthesalvationofthe
humanracethatJesusChristoffereditandreturnedtotheFatheronlyafterhehad
leftusameansofsharinginitasifwehadbeenpresentthere.Eachmemberofthe
faithfulcanthustakepartinitandinexhaustiblygainitsfruits.Thisisthefaithfrom
whichgenerationsofChristiansdowntheageshavelived.TheChurch's
Magisteriumhasconstantlyreaffirmedthisfaithwithjoyfulgratitudeforits
inestimablegift.12Iwishoncemoretorecallthistruthandtojoinyou,mydear
brothersandsisters,inadorationbeforethismystery:agreatmystery,amysteryof
mercy.WhatmorecouldJesushavedoneforus?Truly,intheEucharist,heshows
usalovewhichgoestotheend(cf.Jn13:1),alovewhichknowsnomeasure.
12.ThisaspectoftheuniversalcharityoftheEucharisticSacrificeisbasedonthe
wordsoftheSaviourhimself.Ininstitutingit,hedidnotmerelysay:Thisismy
body,thisismyblood,butwentontoadd:whichisgivenforyou,whichis
pouredoutforyou(Lk22:1920).Jesusdidnotsimplystatethatwhathewas
givingthemtoeatanddrinkwashisbodyandhisbloodhealsoexpressedits
sacrificialmeaningandmadesacramentallypresenthissacrificewhichwouldsoon
beofferedontheCrossforthesalvationofall.TheMassisatthesametime,and
inseparably,thesacrificialmemorialinwhichthesacrificeoftheCrossis
perpetuatedandthesacredbanquetofcommunionwiththeLord'sbodyand
blood.13

TheChurchconstantlydrawsherlifefromtheredeemingsacrificesheapproaches
itnotonlythroughfaithfilledremembrance,butalsothrougharealcontact,since
thissacrificeismadepresenteveranew,sacramentallyperpetuated,inevery
communitywhichoffersitatthehandsoftheconsecratedminister.TheEucharist
thusappliestomenandwomentodaythereconciliationwononceforallbyChrist
formankindineveryage.ThesacrificeofChristandthesacrificeoftheEucharist
areonesinglesacrifice.14SaintJohnChrysostomputitwell:Wealwaysofferthe
sameLamb,notonetodayandanothertomorrow,butalwaysthesameone.Forthis
reasonthesacrificeisalwaysonlyone...Evennowweofferthatvictimwhowas
onceofferedandwhowillneverbeconsumed.15

TheMassmakespresentthesacrificeoftheCrossitdoesnotaddtothatsacrifice
nordoesitmultiplyit.16Whatisrepeatedisitsmemorialcelebration,its
commemorativerepresentation(memorialisdemonstratio),17whichmakes
Christ'sone,definitiveredemptivesacrificealwayspresentintime.Thesacrificial
natureoftheEucharisticmysterycannotthereforebeunderstoodassomething
separate,independentoftheCrossoronlyindirectlyreferringtothesacrificeof
Calvary.

13.ByvirtueofitscloserelationshiptothesacrificeofGolgotha,theEucharistisa
sacrificeinthestrictsense,andnotonlyinageneralway,asifitweresimplya
matterofChrist'sofferinghimselftothefaithfulastheirspiritualfood.Thegiftof
hisloveandobediencetothepointofgivinghislife(cf.Jn10:1718)isinthefirst
placeagifttohisFather.Certainlyitisagiftgivenforoursake,andindeedthatof
allhumanity(cf.Mt26:28Mk14:24Lk22:20Jn10:15),yetitisfirstand
foremostagifttotheFather:asacrificethattheFatheraccepted,giving,inreturn
forthistotalselfgivingbyhisSon,who'becameobedientuntodeath'(Phil2:8),his
ownpaternalgift,thatistosaythegrantofnewimmortallifeintheresurrection.18

IngivinghissacrificetotheChurch,Christhasalsomadehisownthespiritual
sacrificeoftheChurch,whichiscalledtoofferherselfinunionwiththesacrificeof
Christ.ThisistheteachingoftheSecondVaticanCouncilconcerningallthe
faithful:TakingpartintheEucharisticSacrifice,whichisthesourceandsummitof
thewholeChristianlife,theyofferthedivinevictimtoGod,andofferthemselves
alongwithit.19

14.Christ'spassoverincludesnotonlyhispassionanddeath,butalsohis
resurrection.Thisisrecalledbytheassembly'sacclamationfollowingthe
consecration:Weproclaimyourresurrection.TheEucharisticSacrificemakes
presentnotonlythemysteryoftheSaviour'spassionanddeath,butalsothemystery
oftheresurrectionwhichcrownedhissacrifice.ItisasthelivingandrisenOnethat
ChristcanbecomeintheEucharistthebreadoflife(Jn6:35,48),theliving
bread(Jn6:51).SaintAmbroseremindedthenewlyinitiatedthattheEucharist
appliestheeventoftheresurrectiontotheirlives:TodayChristisyours,yeteach
dayherisesagainforyou.20SaintCyrilofAlexandriaalsomakesclearthatsharing
inthesacredmysteriesisatrueconfessionandaremembrancethattheLorddied
andreturnedtolifeforusandonourbehalf.21

15.ThesacramentalrepresentationofChrist'ssacrifice,crownedbythe
resurrection,intheMassinvolvesamostspecialpresencewhichinthewordsof
PaulVIiscalled'real'notasawayofexcludingallothertypesofpresenceasif
theywere'notreal',butbecauseitisapresenceinthefullestsense:asubstantial
presencewherebyChrist,theGodMan,iswhollyandentirelypresent.22Thissets
forthoncemoretheperenniallyvalidteachingoftheCouncilofTrent:the
consecrationofthebreadandwineeffectsthechangeofthewholesubstanceofthe
beadintothesubstanceofthebodyofChristourLord,andofthewholesubstance
ofthewineintothesubstanceofhisblood.AndtheholyCatholicChurchhas
fittinglyandproperlycalledthischangetransubstantiation.23TrulytheEucharistis
amysteriumfidei,amysterywhichsurpassesourunderstandingandcanonlybe
receivedinfaith,asisoftenbroughtoutinthecatechesisoftheChurchFathers
regardingthisdivinesacrament:DonotseeSaintCyrilofJerusalemexhortsin
thebreadandwinemerelynaturalelements,becausetheLordhasexpresslysaidthat
theyarehisbodyandhisblood:faithassuresyouofthis,thoughyoursensessuggest
otherwise.24

Adorotedevote,latensDeitas,weshallcontinuetosingwiththeAngelicDoctor.
Beforethismysteryoflove,humanreasonfullyexperiencesitslimitations.One
understandshow,downthecenturies,thistruthhasstimulatedtheologytostriveto
understanditevermoredeeply.

Thesearepraiseworthyefforts,whichareallthemorehelpfulandinsightfultothe
extentthattheyareabletojoincriticalthinkingtothelivingfaithoftheChurch,
asgraspedespeciallybytheMagisterium'ssurecharismoftruthandtheintimate
senseofspiritualrealities25whichisattainedaboveallbythesaints.Thereremains
theboundaryindicatedbyPaulVI:Everytheologicalexplanationwhichseeks
someunderstandingofthismystery,inordertobeinaccordwithCatholicfaith,
mustfirmlymaintainthatinobjectivereality,independentlyofourmind,thebread
andwinehaveceasedtoexistaftertheconsecration,sothattheadorablebodyand
bloodoftheLordJesusfromthatmomentonarereallybeforeusunderthe
sacramentalspeciesofbreadandwine.26

16.ThesavingefficacyofthesacrificeisfullyrealizedwhentheLord'sbodyand
bloodarereceivedincommunion.TheEucharisticSacrificeisintrinsicallydirected
totheinwardunionofthefaithfulwithChristthroughcommunionwereceivethe
veryOnewhoofferedhimselfforus,wereceivehisbodywhichhegaveupforus
ontheCrossandhisbloodwhichhepouredoutformanyfortheforgivenessof
sins(Mt26:28).Weareremindedofhiswords:AsthelivingFathersentme,andI
livebecauseoftheFather,sohewhoeatsmewilllivebecauseofme(Jn6:57).
Jesushimselfreassuresusthatthisunion,whichhecomparestothatofthelifeof
theTrinity,istrulyrealized.TheEucharistisatruebanquet,inwhichChristoffers
himselfasournourishment.WhenforthefirsttimeJesusspokeofthisfood,his
listenerswereastonishedandbewildered,whichforcedtheMastertoemphasizethe
objectivetruthofhiswords:Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,unlessyoueatthefleshofthe
SonofMananddrinkhisblood,youhavenolifewithinyou(Jn6:53).Thisisno
metaphoricalfood:Myfleshisfoodindeed,andmybloodisdrinkindeed(Jn
6:55).

17.Throughourcommunioninhisbodyandblood,ChristalsograntsushisSpirit.
SaintEphremwrites:Hecalledthebreadhislivingbodyandhefilleditwith
himselfandhisSpirit...

Hewhoeatsitwithfaith,eatsFireandSpirit...Takeandeatthis,allofyou,andeat
withittheHolySpirit.Foritistrulymybodyandwhoevereatsitwillhaveeternal
life.27TheChurchimploresthisdivineGift,thesourceofeveryothergift,inthe
Eucharisticepiclesis.IntheDivineLiturgyofSaintJohnChrysostom,forexample,
wefindtheprayer:Webeseech,imploreandbegyou:sendyourHolySpiritupon
usallanduponthesegifts...thatthosewhopartakeofthemmaybepurifiedinsoul,
receivetheforgivenessoftheirsins,andshareintheHolySpirit.28Andinthe
RomanMissalthecelebrantprays:grantthatwewhoarenourishedbyhisbodyand
bloodmaybefilledwithhisHolySpirit,andbecomeonebody,onespiritin
Christ.29ThusbythegiftofhisbodyandbloodChristincreaseswithinusthegift
ofhisSpirit,alreadypouredoutinBaptismandbestowedasasealinthe
sacramentofConfirmation.

18.Theacclamationoftheassemblyfollowingtheconsecrationappropriatelyends
byexpressingtheeschatologicalthrustwhichmarksthecelebrationoftheEucharist
(cf.1Cor11:26):untilyoucomeinglory.TheEucharistisastrainingtowardsthe
goal,aforetasteofthefullnessofjoypromisedbyChrist(cf.Jn15:11)itisinsome
waytheanticipationofheaven,thepledgeoffutureglory.30IntheEucharist,
everythingspeaksofconfidentwaitinginjoyfulhopeforthecomingofour
Saviour,JesusChrist.31ThosewhofeedonChristintheEucharistneednotwait
untilthehereaftertoreceiveeternallife:theyalreadypossessitonearth,asthefirst
fruitsofafuturefullnesswhichwillembracemaninhistotality.ForintheEucharist
wealsoreceivethepledgeofourbodilyresurrectionattheendoftheworld:He
whoeatsmyfleshanddrinksmybloodhaseternallife,andIwillraisehimupatthe
lastday(Jn6:54).Thispledgeofthefutureresurrectioncomesfromthefactthat
thefleshoftheSonofMan,givenasfood,ishisbodyinitsgloriousstateafterthe
resurrection.WiththeEucharistwedigest,asitwere,thesecretofthe
resurrection.ForthisreasonSaintIgnatiusofAntiochrightlydefinedtheEucharistic
Breadasamedicineofimmortality,anantidotetodeath.32

19.TheeschatologicaltensionkindledbytheEucharistexpressesandreinforcesour
communionwiththeChurchinheaven.ItisnotbychancethattheEastern
AnaphorasandtheLatinEucharisticPrayershonourMary,theeverVirginMother
ofJesusChristourLordandGod,theangels,theholyapostles,thegloriousmartyrs
andallthesaints.ThisisanaspectoftheEucharistwhichmeritsgreaterattention:in
celebratingthesacrificeoftheLamb,weareunitedtotheheavenlyliturgyand
becomepartofthatgreatmultitudewhichcriesout:SalvationbelongstoourGod
whositsuponthethrone,andtotheLamb!(Rev7:10).TheEucharististrulya
glimpseofheavenappearingonearth.ItisagloriousrayoftheheavenlyJerusalem
whichpiercesthecloudsofourhistoryandlightsupourjourney.

20.AsignificantconsequenceoftheeschatologicaltensioninherentintheEucharist
isalsothefactthatitspursusonourjourneythroughhistoryandplantsaseedof
livinghopeinourdailycommitmenttotheworkbeforeus.CertainlytheChristian
visionleadstotheexpectationofnewheavensandanewearth(Rev21:1),but
thisincreases,ratherthanlessens,oursenseofresponsibilityfortheworldtoday.33I
wishtoreaffirmthisforcefullyatthebeginningofthenewmillennium,sothat
Christianswillfeelmoreobligedthanevernottoneglecttheirdutiesascitizensin
thisworld.TheirsisthetaskofcontributingwiththelightoftheGospeltothe
buildingofamorehumanworld,aworldfullyinharmonywithGod'splan.

Manyproblemsdarkenthehorizonofourtime.Weneedbutthinkoftheurgent
needtoworkforpeace,tobaserelationshipsbetweenpeoplesonsolidpremisesof
justiceandsolidarity,andtodefendhumanlifefromconceptiontoitsnaturalend.
Andwhatshouldwesayofthethousandinconsistenciesofaglobalizedworld
wheretheweakest,themostpowerlessandthepoorestappeartohavesolittlehope!
ItisinthisworldthatChristianhopemustshineforth!Forthisreasontoo,theLord
wishedtoremainwithusintheEucharist,makinghispresenceinmealandsacrifice
thepromiseofahumanityrenewedbyhislove.Significantly,intheiraccountofthe
LastSupper,theSynopticsrecounttheinstitutionoftheEucharist,whiletheGospel
ofJohnrelates,asawayofbringingoutitsprofoundmeaning,theaccountofthe
washingofthefeet,inwhichJesusappearsastheteacherofcommunionandof
service(cf.Jn13:120).TheApostlePaul,forhispart,saysthatitisunworthyof
aChristiancommunitytopartakeoftheLord'sSupperamiddivisionand
indifferencetowardsthepoor(cf.1Cor11:1722,2734).34

ProclaimingthedeathoftheLorduntilhecomes(1Cor11:26)entailsthatall
whotakepartintheEucharistbecommittedtochangingtheirlivesandmaking
theminacertainwaycompletelyEucharistic.Itisthisfruitofatransfigured
existenceandacommitmenttotransformingtheworldinaccordancewiththe
Gospelwhichsplendidlyillustratestheeschatologicaltensioninherentinthe
celebrationoftheEucharistandintheChristianlifeasawhole:Come,Lord
Jesus!(Rev22:20).

CHAPTERTWO

THEEUCHARISTBUILDSTHECHURCH
21.TheSecondVaticanCouncilteachesthatthecelebrationoftheEucharistisatthe
centreoftheprocessoftheChurch'sgrowth.AfterstatingthattheChurch,asthe
KingdomofChristalreadypresentinmystery,growsvisiblyintheworldthrough
thepowerofGod,35then,asifinanswertothequestion:HowdoestheChurch
grow?,theCounciladds:asoftenasthesacrificeoftheCrossbywhich'Christour
paschissacrificed'(1Cor5:7)iscelebratedonthealtar,theworkofourredemption
iscarriedout.AtthesametimeinthesacramentoftheEucharisticbread,theunity
ofthefaithful,whoformonebodyinChrist(cf.1Cor10:17),isbothexpressedand
broughtabout.36

AcausalinfluenceoftheEucharistispresentattheChurch'sveryorigins.The
EvangelistsspecifythatitwastheTwelve,theApostles,whogatheredwithJesusat
theLastSupper(cf.Mt26:20Mk14:17Lk22:14).Thisisadetailofnotable
importance,fortheApostleswereboththeseedsofthenewIsraelandthe
beginningofthesacredhierarchy.37Byofferingthemhisbodyandhisbloodas
food,Christmysteriouslyinvolvedtheminthesacrificewhichwouldbecompleted
lateronCalvary.ByanalogywiththeCovenantofMountSinai,sealedbysacrifice
andthesprinklingofblood,38theactionsandwordsofJesusattheLastSupperlaid
thefoundationsofthenewmessianiccommunity,thePeopleoftheNewCovenant.
TheApostles,byacceptingintheUpperRoomJesus'invitation:Take,eat,Drink
ofit,allofyou(Mt26:2627),enteredforthefirsttimeintosacramental
communionwithhim.Fromthattimeforward,untiltheendoftheage,theChurchis
builtupthroughsacramentalcommunionwiththeSonofGodwhowassacrificed
foroursake:Dothisisremembranceofme...Dothis,asoftenasyoudrinkit,in
remembranceofme(1Cor11:2425cf.Lk22:19).

22.IncorporationintoChrist,whichisbroughtaboutbyBaptism,isconstantly
renewedandconsolidatedbysharingintheEucharisticSacrifice,especiallybythat
fullsharingwhichtakesplaceinsacramentalcommunion.Wecansaynotonlythat
eachofusreceivesChrist,butalsothatChristreceiveseachofus.Heentersinto
friendshipwithus:Youaremyfriends(Jn15:14).Indeed,itisbecauseofhimthat
wehavelife:Hewhoeatsmewilllivebecauseofme(Jn6:57).Eucharistic
communionbringsaboutinasublimewaythemutualabidingofChristandeach
ofhisfollowers:Abideinme,andIinyou(Jn15:4).

ByitsunionwithChrist,thePeopleoftheNewCovenant,farfromclosinginupon
itself,becomesasacramentforhumanity,39asignandinstrumentofthesalvation
achievedbyChrist,thelightoftheworldandthesaltoftheearth(cf.Mt5:1316),
fortheredemptionofall.40TheChurch'smissionstandsincontinuitywiththe
missionofChrist:AstheFatherhassentme,evensoIsendyou(Jn20:21).From
theperpetuationofthesacrificeoftheCrossandhercommunionwiththebodyand
bloodofChristintheEucharist,theChurchdrawsthespiritualpowerneededto
carryouthermission.TheEucharistthusappearsasboththesourceandthesummit
ofallevangelization,sinceitsgoalisthecommunionofmankindwithChristandin
himwiththeFatherandtheHolySpirit.41

23.EucharisticcommunionalsoconfirmstheChurchinherunityasthebodyof
Christ.SaintPaulreferstothisunifyingpowerofparticipationinthebanquetofthe
EucharistwhenhewritestotheCorinthians:Thebreadwhichwebreak,isitnota
communioninthebodyofChrist?Becausethereisonebread,wewhoaremanyare
onebody,forweallpartakeoftheonebread(1Cor10:1617).SaintJohn
Chrysostom'scommentaryonthesewordsisprofoundandperceptive:Forwhatis
thebread?ItisthebodyofChrist.Andwhatdothosewhoreceiveitbecome?The
BodyofChristnotmanybodiesbutonebody.Forasbreadiscompletelyone,
thoughmadeofupmanygrainsofwheat,andthese,albeitunseen,remain
nonethelesspresent,insuchawaythattheirdifferenceisnotapparentsincethey
havebeenmadeaperfectwhole,sotooarewemutuallyjoinedtooneanotherand
togetherunitedwithChrist.42Theargumentiscompelling:ourunionwithChrist,
whichisagiftandgraceforeachofus,makesitpossibleforus,inhim,tosharein
theunityofhisbodywhichistheChurch.TheEucharistreinforcestheincorporation
intoChristwhichtookplaceinBaptismthoughthegiftoftheSpirit(cf.1Cor
12:13,27).

ThejointandinseparableactivityoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,whichisatthe
originoftheChurch,ofherconsolidationandhercontinuedlife,isatworkinthe
Eucharist.ThiswasclearlyevidenttotheauthoroftheLiturgyofSaintJames:inthe
epiclesisoftheAnaphora,GodtheFatherisaskedtosendtheHolySpirituponthe
faithfulandupontheofferings,sothatthebodyandbloodofChristmaybeahelp
toallthosewhopartakeofit...forthesanctificationoftheirsoulsandbodies.43
TheChurchisfortifiedbythedivineParacletethroughthesanctificationofthe
faithfulintheEucharist.
24.ThegiftofChristandhisSpiritwhichwereceiveinEucharisticcommunion
superabundantlyfulfilstheyearningforfraternalunitydeeplyrootedinthehuman
heartatthesametimeitelevatestheexperienceoffraternityalreadypresentinour
commonsharingatthesameEucharistictabletoadegreewhichfarsurpassesthatof
thesimplehumanexperienceofsharingameal.Throughhercommunionwiththe
bodyofChristtheChurchcomestobeevermoreprofoundlyinChristinthenature
ofasacrament,thatis,asignandinstrumentofintimateunitywithGodandofthe
unityofthewholehumanrace.44

Theseedsofdisunity,whichdailyexperienceshowstobesodeeplyrootedin
humanityasaresultofsin,arecounteredbytheunifyingpowerofthebodyof
Christ.TheEucharist,preciselybybuildinguptheChurch,createshuman
community.

25.TheworshipoftheEucharistoutsideoftheMassisofinestimablevalueforthe
lifeoftheChurch.Thisworshipisstrictlylinkedtothecelebrationofthe
EucharisticSacrifice.ThepresenceofChristunderthesacredspeciesreservedafter
Massapresencewhichlastsaslongasthespeciesofbreadandofwineremain45
derivesfromthecelebrationofthesacrificeandisdirectedtowardscommunion,

bothsacramentalandspiritual.46ItistheresponsibilityofPastorstoencourage,also
bytheirpersonalwitness,thepracticeofEucharisticadoration,andexpositionofthe
BlessedSacramentinparticular,aswellasprayerofadorationbeforeChristpresent
undertheEucharisticspecies.47

Itispleasanttospendtimewithhim,tolieclosetohisbreastliketheBeloved
Disciple(cf.Jn13:25)andtofeeltheinfinitelovepresentinhisheart.Ifinourtime
Christiansmustbedistinguishedaboveallbytheartofprayer,48howcanwenot
feelarenewedneedtospendtimeinspiritualconverse,insilentadoration,in
heartfeltlovebeforeChristpresentintheMostHolySacrament?Howoften,dear
brotherandsisters,haveIexperiencedthis,anddrawnfromitstrength,consolation
andsupport!

Thispractice,repeatedlypraisedandrecommendedbytheMagisterium,49is
supportedbytheexampleofmanysaints.Particularlyoutstandinginthisregardwas
SaintAlphonsusLiguori,whowrote:Ofalldevotions,thatofadoringJesusinthe
BlessedSacramentisthegreatestafterthesacraments,theonedearesttoGodand
theonemosthelpfultous.50TheEucharistisapricelesstreasure:bynotonly
celebratingitbutalsobyprayingbeforeitoutsideofMassweareenabledtomake
contactwiththeverywellspringofgrace.AChristiancommunitydesirousof
contemplatingthefaceofChristinthespiritwhichIproposedintheApostolic
LettersNovoMillennioIneunteandRosariumVirginisMariaecannotfailalsoto
developthisaspectofEucharisticworship,whichprolongsandincreasesthefruits
ofourcommunioninthebodyandbloodoftheLord.
1InthecourseofthedaythefaithfulshouldnotomitvisitingtheBlessed
Sacrament,whichinaccordancewithliturgicallawmustbereservedinchurches
withgreatreverenceinaprominentplace.Suchvisitsareasignofgratitude,an
expressionofloveandanacknowledgmentoftheLord'spresence:PaulVI,
EncyclicalLetterMysteriumFidei(3September1965):AAS57(1965),771.

CHAPTERTHREE
 THEAPOSTOLICITYOFTHEEUCHARIST
ANDOFTHECHURCH
26.If,asIhavesaid,theEucharistbuildstheChurchandtheChurchmakesthe
Eucharist,itfollowsthatthereisaprofoundrelationshipbetweenthetwo,somuch
sothatwecanapplytotheEucharisticmysterytheverywordswithwhich,inthe
NiceneConstantinopolitanCreed,weprofesstheChurchtobeone,holy,catholic
andapostolic.TheEucharisttooisoneandcatholic.Itisalsoholy,indeed,the
MostHolySacrament.Butitisaboveallitsapostolicitythatwemustnowconsider.

27.TheCatechismoftheCatholicChurch,inexplaininghowtheChurchis
apostolicfoundedontheApostlesseesthreemeaningsinthisexpression.First,
shewasandremainsbuilton'thefoundationoftheApostles'(Eph2:20),the
witnesseschosenandsentonmissionbyChristhimself.51TheEucharisttoohasits
foundationintheApostles,notinthesensethatitdidnotoriginateinChristhimself,
butbecauseitwasentrustedbyJesustotheApostlesandhasbeenhandeddownto
usbythemandbytheirsuccessors.Itisincontinuitywiththepracticeofthe
Apostles,inobediencetotheLord'scommand,thattheChurchhascelebratedthe
Eucharistdownthecenturies.

ThesecondsenseinwhichtheChurchisapostolic,astheCatechismpointsout,is
thatwiththehelpoftheSpiritdwellinginher,theChurchkeepsandhandsonthe
teaching,the'gooddeposit',thesalutarywordsshehasheardfromtheApostles.52
HeretootheEucharistisapostolic,foritiscelebratedinconformitywiththefaithof
theApostles.AtvarioustimesinthetwothousandyearhistoryofthePeopleofthe
NewCovenant,theChurch'sMagisteriumhasmorepreciselydefinedherteaching
ontheEucharist,includingitsproperterminology,preciselyinordertosafeguard
theapostolicfaithwithregardtothissublimemystery.Thisfaithremainsunchanged
anditisessentialfortheChurchthatitremainunchanged.

28.Lastly,theChurchisapostolicinthesensethatshecontinuestobetaught,
sanctifiedandguidedbytheApostlesuntilChrist'sreturn,throughtheirsuccessors
inpastoraloffice:thecollegeofBishopsassistedbypriests,inunionwiththe
SuccessorofPeter,theChurch'ssupremepastor.53SuccessiontotheApostlesin
thepastoralmissionnecessarilyentailsthesacramentofHolyOrders,thatis,the
uninterruptedsequence,fromtheverybeginning,ofvalidepiscopalordinations.54
ThissuccessionisessentialfortheChurchtoexistinaproperandfullsense.

TheEucharistalsoexpressesthissenseofapostolicity.AstheSecondVatican
Councilteaches,thefaithfuljoinintheofferingoftheEucharistbyvirtueoftheir
royalpriesthood,55yetitistheordainedpriestwho,actinginthepersonofChrist,
bringsabouttheEucharisticSacrificeandoffersittoGodinthenameofallthe
people.56Forthisreason,theRomanMissalprescribesthatonlythepriestshould
recitetheEucharisticPrayer,whilethepeopleparticipateinfaithandinsilence.57

29.TheexpressionrepeatedlyemployedbytheSecondVaticanCouncil,according
towhichtheministerialpriest,actinginthepersonofChrist,bringsaboutthe
EucharisticSacrifice,58wasalreadyfirmlyrootedinpapalteaching.59AsIhave
pointedoutonotheroccasions,thephraseinpersonaChristimeansmorethan
offering'inthenameof'or'intheplaceof'Christ.Inpersonameansinspecific
sacramentalidentificationwiththeeternalHighPriestwhoistheauthorand
principalsubjectofthissacrificeofhis,asacrificeinwhich,intruth,nobodycan
takehisplace.60TheministryofpriestswhohavereceivedthesacramentofHoly
Orders,intheeconomyofsalvationchosenbyChrist,makesclearthattheEucharist
whichtheycelebrateisagiftwhichradicallytranscendsthepoweroftheassembly
andisinanyeventessentialforvalidlylinkingtheEucharisticconsecrationtothe
sacrificeoftheCrossandtotheLastSupper.Theassemblygatheredtogetherforthe
celebrationoftheEucharist,ifitistobeatrulyEucharisticassembly,absolutely
requiresthepresenceofanordainedpriestasitspresident.Ontheotherhand,the
communityisbyitselfincapableofprovidinganordainedminister.Thisministeris
agiftwhichtheassemblyreceivesthroughepiscopalsuccessiongoingbacktothe
Apostles.ItistheBishopwho,throughtheSacramentofHolyOrders,makesanew
presbyterbyconferringuponhimthepowertoconsecratetheEucharist.
Consequently,theEucharisticmysterycannotbecelebratedinanycommunity
exceptbyanordainedpriest,astheFourthLateranCouncilexpresslytaught.61

30.TheCatholicChurch'steachingontherelationshipbetweenpriestlyministryand
theEucharistandherteachingontheEucharisticSacrificehavebothbeenthe
subjectinrecentdecadesofafruitfuldialogueintheareaofecumenism.Wemust
givethankstotheBlessedTrinityforthesignificantprogressandconvergence
achievedinthisregard,whichleadustohopeonedayforafullsharingoffaith.
Nonetheless,theobservationsoftheCouncilconcerningtheEcclesialCommunities
whicharoseintheWestfromthesixteenthcenturyonwardsandareseparatedfrom
theCatholicChurchremainfullypertinent:TheEcclesialCommunitiesseparated
fromuslackthatfullnessofunitywithuswhichshouldflowfromBaptism,andwe
believethatespeciallybecauseofthelackofthesacramentofOrderstheyhavenot
preservedthegenuineandtotalrealityoftheEucharisticmystery.Nevertheless,
whentheycommemoratetheLord'sdeathandresurrectionintheHolySupper,they
professthatitsignifieslifeincommunionwithChristandtheyawaithiscomingin
glory.62

TheCatholicfaithful,therefore,whilerespectingthereligiousconvictionsofthese
separatedbrethren,mustrefrainfromreceivingthecommuniondistributedintheir
celebrations,soasnottocondoneanambiguityaboutthenatureoftheEucharist
and,consequently,tofailintheirdutytobearclearwitnesstothetruth.Thiswould
resultinslowingtheprogressbeingmadetowardsfullvisibleunity.Similarly,itis
unthinkabletosubstituteforSundayMassecumenicalcelebrationsofthewordor
servicesofcommonprayerwithChristiansfromtheaforementionedEcclesial
Communities,orevenparticipationintheirownliturgicalservices.Such
celebrationsandservices,howeverpraiseworthyincertainsituations,prepareforthe
goaloffullcommunion,includingEucharisticcommunion,buttheycannotreplace
it.

ThefactthatthepowerofconsecratingtheEucharisthasbeenentrustedonlyto
Bishopsandpriestsdoesnotrepresentanykindofbelittlementoftherestofthe
PeopleofGod,forinthecommunionoftheonebodyofChristwhichistheChurch
thisgiftredoundstothebenefitofall.

31.IftheEucharististhecentreandsummitoftheChurch'slife,itislikewisethe
centreandsummitofpriestlyministry.Forthisreason,withaheartfilledwith
gratitudetoourLordJesusChrist,IrepeatthattheEucharististheprincipaland
centralraisond'treofthesacramentofpriesthood,whicheffectivelycameinto
beingatthemomentoftheinstitutionoftheEucharist.63

Priestsareengagedinawidevarietyofpastoralactivities.Ifwealsoconsiderthe
socialandculturalconditionsofthemodernworlditiseasytounderstandhow
socialandculturalconditionsofthemodernworlditiseasytounderstandhow
priestsfacetheveryrealriskoflosingtheirfocusamidsuchagreatnumberof
differenttasks.TheSecondVaticanCouncilsawinpastoralcharitythebondwhich
givesunitytothepriest'slifeandwork.This,theCounciladds,flowsmainlyfrom
theEucharisticSacrifice,whichisthereforethecentreandrootofthewholepriestly
life.64Wecanunderstand,then,howimportantitisforthespirituallifeofthe
priest,aswellasforthegoodoftheChurchandtheworld,thatpriestsfollowthe
Council'srecommendationtocelebratetheEucharistdaily:forevenifthefaithful
areunabletobepresent,itisanactofChristandtheChurch.65Inthiswaypriests
willbeabletocounteractthedailytensionswhichleadtoalackoffocusandthey
willfindintheEucharisticSacrificethetruecentreoftheirlivesandministrythe
spiritualstrengthneededtodealwiththeirdifferentpastoralresponsibilities.Their
dailyactivitywillthusbecometrulyEucharistic.

ThecentralityoftheEucharistinthelifeandministryofpriestsisthebasisofits
centralityinthepastoralpromotionofpriestlyvocations.ItisintheEucharistthat
prayerforvocationsismostcloselyunitedtotheprayerofChristtheEternalHigh
Priest.AtthesametimethediligenceofpriestsincarryingouttheirEucharistic
ministry,togetherwiththeconscious,activeandfruitfulparticipationofthefaithful
intheEucharist,providesyoungmenwithapowerfulexampleandincentivefor
respondinggenerouslytoGod'scall.Oftenitistheexampleofapriest'sfervent
pastoralcharitywhichtheLordusestosowandtobringtofruitioninayoungman's
hearttheseedofapriestlycalling.

32.AllofthisshowshowdistressingandirregularisthesituationofaChristian
communitywhich,despitehavingsufficientnumbersandvarietyoffaithfultoform
aparish,doesnothaveapriesttoleadit.Parishesarecommunitiesofthebaptized
whoexpressandaffirmtheiridentityaboveallthroughthecelebrationofthe
EucharisticSacrifice.Butthisrequiresthepresenceofapresbyter,whoaloneis
qualifiedtooffertheEucharistinpersonaChristi.Whenacommunitylacksapriest,
attemptsarerightlymadesomehowtoremedythesituationsothatitcancontinueits
Sundaycelebrations,andthosereligiousandlaitywholeadtheirbrothersandsisters
inprayerexerciseinapraiseworthywaythecommonpriesthoodofallthefaithful
basedonthegraceofBaptism.Butsuchsolutionsmustbeconsideredmerely
temporary,whilethecommunityawaitsapriest.

Thesacramentalincompletenessofthesecelebrationsshouldaboveallinspirethe
wholecommunitytopraywithgreaterfervourthattheLordwillsendlabourersinto
hisharvest(cf.Mt9:38).Itshouldalsobeanincentivetomobilizealltheresources
neededforanadequatepastoralpromotionofvocations,withoutyieldingtothe
temptationtoseeksolutionswhichlowerthemoralandformativestandards
demandedofcandidatesforthepriesthood.

33.When,duetothescarcityofpriests,nonordainedmembersofthefaithfulare
entrustedwithashareinthepastoralcareofaparish,theyshouldbearinmindthat
astheSecondVaticanCouncilteachesnoChristiancommunitycanbebuiltup
unlessithasitsbasisandcentreinthecelebrationofthemostHolyEucharist.66
Theyhavearesponsibility,therefore,tokeepaliveinthecommunityagenuine
hungerfortheEucharist,sothatnoopportunityforthecelebrationofMasswill
everbemissed,alsotakingadvantageoftheoccasionalpresenceofapriestwhois
notimpededbyChurchlawfromcelebratingMass.

CHAPTERFOUR
 THEEUCHARISTANDECCLESIALCOMMUNION
34.TheExtraordinaryAssemblyoftheSynodofBishopsin1985sawintheconcept
ofanecclesiologyofcommunionthecentralandfundamentalideaofthe
documentsoftheSecondVaticanCouncil.67TheChurchiscalledduringherearthly
pilgrimagetomaintainandpromotecommunionwiththeTriuneGodand
communionamongthefaithful.Forthispurposeshepossessesthewordandthe
sacraments,particularlytheEucharist,bywhichsheconstantlylivesandgrows68
andinwhichsheexpressesherverynature.Itisnotbychancethattheterm
communionhasbecomeoneofthenamesgiventothissublimesacrament.

TheEucharistthusappearsastheculminationofallthesacramentsinperfectingour
communionwithGodtheFatherbyidentificationwithhisonlybegottenSon
throughtheworkingoftheHolySpirit.Withdiscerningfaithadistinguishedwriter
oftheByzantinetraditionvoicedthistruth:intheEucharistunlikeanyother
sacrament,themystery[ofcommunion]issoperfectthatitbringsustotheheights
ofeverygoodthing:hereistheultimategoalofeveryhumandesire,becausehere
weattainGodandGodjoinshimselftousinthemostperfectunion.69Preciselyfor
thisreasonitisgoodtocultivateinourheartsaconstantdesireforthesacramentof
theEucharist.Thiswastheoriginofthepracticeofspiritualcommunion,which
hashappilybeenestablishedintheChurchforcenturiesandrecommendedbysaints
whoweremastersofthespirituallife.SaintTeresaofJesuswrote:Whenyoudo
notreceivecommunionandyoudonotattendMass,youcanmakeaspiritual
communion,whichisamostbeneficialpracticebyittheloveofGodwillbegreatly
impressedonyou.70

35.ThecelebrationoftheEucharist,however,cannotbethestartingpointfor
communionitpresupposesthatcommunionalreadyexists,acommunionwhichit
seekstoconsolidateandbringtoperfection.Thesacramentisanexpressionofthis
bondofcommunionbothinitsinvisibledimension,which,inChristandthroughthe
workingoftheHolySpirit,unitesustotheFatherandamongourselves,andinits
visibledimension,whichentailscommunionintheteachingoftheApostles,inthe
sacramentsandintheChurch'shierarchicalorder.Theprofoundrelationship
betweentheinvisibleandthevisibleelementsofecclesialcommunionis
constitutiveoftheChurchasthesacramentofsalvation.71Onlyinthiscontextcan
therebealegitimatecelebrationoftheEucharistandtrueparticipationinit.
ConsequentlyitisanintrinsicrequirementoftheEucharistthatitshouldbe
celebratedincommunion,andspecificallymaintainingthevariousbondsofthat
communionintact.

36.Invisiblecommunion,thoughbyitsnaturealwaysgrowing,presupposesthelife
ofgrace,bywhichwebecomepartakersofthedivinenature(2Pet1:4),andthe
practiceofthevirtuesoffaith,hopeandlove.Onlyinthiswaydowehavetrue
communionwiththeFather,theSonandtheHolySpirit.Norisfaithsufficientwe
mustpersevereinsanctifyinggraceandlove,remainingwithintheChurchbodily
aswellasinourheart72whatisrequired,inthewordsofSaintPaul,isfaith
workingthroughlove(Gal5:6).

Keepingtheseinvisiblebondsintactisaspecificmoraldutyincumbentupon
ChristianswhowishtoparticipatefullyintheEucharistbyreceivingthebodyand
bloodofChrist.TheApostlePaulappealstothisdutywhenhewarns:Letaman
examinehimself,andsoeatofthebreadanddrinkofthecup(1Cor11:28).Saint
JohnChrysostom,withhisstirringeloquence,exhortedthefaithful:Itooraisemy
voice,Ibeseech,begandimplorethatnoonedrawneartothissacredtablewitha
sulliedandcorruptconscience.Suchanact,infact,canneverbecalled
'communion',notevenwerewetotouchtheLord'sbodyathousandtimesover,but
'condemnation','torment'and'increaseofpunishment'.73

Alongthesesamelines,theCatechismoftheCatholicChurchrightlystipulatesthat
anyoneconsciousofagravesinmustreceivethesacramentofReconciliation
beforecomingtocommunion.74IthereforedesiretoreaffirmthatintheChurch
thereremainsinforce,nowandinthefuture,therulebywhichtheCouncilofTrent
gaveconcreteexpressiontotheApostlePaul'ssternwarningwhenitaffirmedthat,
inordertoreceivetheEucharistinaworthymanner,onemustfirstconfessone's
sins,whenoneisawareofmortalsin.75

37.ThetwosacramentsoftheEucharistandPenanceareverycloselyconnected.
BecausetheEucharistmakespresenttheredeemingsacrificeoftheCross,
perpetuatingitsacramentally,itnaturallygivesrisetoacontinuousneedfor
conversion,forapersonalresponsetotheappealmadebySaintPaultothe
ChristiansofCorinth:WebeseechyouonbehalfofChrist,bereconciledtoGod
(2Cor5:20).IfaChristian'sconscienceisburdenedbyserioussin,thenthepathof
penancethroughthesacramentofReconciliationbecomesnecessaryforfull
participationintheEucharisticSacrifice.

Thejudgmentofone'sstateofgraceobviouslybelongsonlytothepersoninvolved,
sinceitisaquestionofexaminingone'sconscience.However,incasesofoutward
conductwhichisseriously,clearlyandsteadfastlycontrarytothemoralnorm,the
Church,inherpastoralconcernforthegoodorderofthecommunityandoutof
respectforthesacrament,cannotfailtofeeldirectlyinvolved.TheCodeofCanon
Lawreferstothissituationofamanifestlackofpropermoraldispositionwhenit
statesthatthosewhoobstinatelypersistinmanifestgravesinarenottobe
admittedtoEucharisticcommunion.76

38.Ecclesialcommunion,asIhavesaid,islikewisevisible,andfindsexpressionin
theseriesofbondslistedbytheCouncilwhenitteaches:Theyarefully
incorporatedintothesocietyoftheChurchwho,possessingtheSpiritofChrist,
acceptherwholestructureandallthemeansofsalvationestablishedwithinher,and
withinhervisibleframeworkareunitedtoChrist,whogovernsherthroughthe
SupremePontiffandtheBishops,bythebondsofprofessionoffaith,the
sacraments,ecclesiasticalgovernmentandcommunion.77

TheEucharist,asthesupremesacramentalmanifestationofcommunioninthe
Church,demandstobecelebratedinacontextwheretheoutwardbondsof
communionarealsointact.Inaspecialway,sincetheEucharistisasitwerethe
summitofthespirituallifeandthegoalofallthesacraments,78itrequiresthatthe
bondsofcommunioninthesacraments,particularlyinBaptismandinpriestly
Orders,bereal.Itisnotpossibletogivecommuniontoapersonwhoisnotbaptized
ortoonewhorejectsthefulltruthofthefaithregardingtheEucharisticmystery.
Christisthetruthandhebearswitnesstothetruth(cf.Jn14:618:37)the
sacramentofhisbodyandblooddoesnotpermitduplicity.

39.Furthermore,giventheverynatureofecclesialcommunionanditsrelationtothe
sacramentoftheEucharist,itmustberecalledthattheEucharisticSacrifice,while
alwaysofferedinaparticularcommunity,isneveracelebrationofthatcommunity
alone.Infact,thecommunity,inreceivingtheEucharisticpresenceoftheLord,
receivestheentiregiftofsalvationandshows,eveninitslastingvisibleparticular
form,thatitistheimageandtruepresenceoftheone,holy,catholicandapostolic
Church.79FromthisitfollowsthatatrulyEucharisticcommunitycannotbeclosed
inuponitself,asthoughitweresomehowselfsufficientratheritmustperseverein
harmonywitheveryotherCatholiccommunity.

TheecclesialcommunionoftheEucharisticassemblyisacommunionwithitsown
BishopandwiththeRomanPontiff.TheBishop,ineffect,isthevisibleprincipleand
thefoundationofunitywithinhisparticularChurch.80Itwouldthereforebeagreat
contradictionifthesacramentparexcellenceoftheChurch'sunitywerecelebrated
withouttruecommunionwiththeBishop.AsSaintIgnatiusofAntiochwrote:That
EucharistwhichiscelebratedundertheBishop,orunderonetowhomtheBishop
hasgiventhischarge,maybeconsideredcertain.81Likewise,sincetheRoman
Pontiff,asthesuccessorofPeter,istheperpetualandvisiblesourceandfoundation
oftheunityoftheBishopsandofthemultitudeofthefaithful,82communionwith
himisintrinsicallyrequiredforthecelebrationoftheEucharisticSacrifice.Hence
thegreattruthexpressedwhichtheLiturgyexpressesinavarietyofways:Every
celebrationoftheEucharistisperformedinunionnotonlywiththeproperBishop,
butalsowiththePope,withtheepiscopalorder,withalltheclergy,andwiththe
entirepeople.EveryvalidcelebrationoftheEucharistexpressesthisuniversal
communionwithPeterandwiththewholeChurch,orobjectivelycallsforit,asin
thecaseoftheChristianChurchesseparatedfromRome.83

40.TheEucharistcreatescommunionandfosterscommunion.SaintPaulwroteto
thefaithfulofCorinthexplaininghowtheirdivisions,reflectedintheirEucharistic
gatherings,contradictedwhattheywerecelebrating,theLord'sSupper.TheApostle
thenurgedthemtoreflectonthetruerealityoftheEucharistinordertoreturntothe
spiritoffraternalcommunion(cf.1Cor11:1734).SaintAugustineeffectively
echoedthiscallwhen,inrecallingtheApostle'swords:YouarethebodyofChrist
andindividuallymembersofit(1Cor12:27),hewentontosay:Ifyouarehis
bodyandmembersofhim,thenyouwillfindsetontheLord'stableyourown
mystery.Yes,youreceiveyourownmystery.84Andfromthisobservationhe
concludes:ChristtheLord...hallowedathistablethemysteryofourpeaceand
unity.Whoeverreceivesthemysteryofunitywithoutpreservingthebondsofpeace
receivesnotamysteryforhisbenefitbutevidenceagainsthimself.85

41.TheEucharist'sparticulareffectivenessinpromotingcommunionisoneofthe
reasonsfortheimportanceofSundayMass.Ihavealreadydweltonthisandonthe
otherreasonswhichmakeSundayMassfundamentalforthelifeoftheChurchand
ofindividualbelieversinmyApostolicLetteronthesanctificationofSundayDies
Domini.86ThereIrecalledthatthefaithfulhavetheobligationtoattendMass,
unlesstheyareseriouslyimpeded,andthatPastorshavethecorrespondingdutyto
seethatitispracticalandpossibleforalltofulfilthisprecept.87Morerecently,in
myApostolicLetterNovoMillennioIneunte,insettingforththepastoralpathwhich
theChurchmusttakeatthebeginningofthethirdmillennium,Idrewparticular
attentiontotheSundayEucharist,emphasizingitseffectivenessforbuilding
communion.ItisIwrotetheprivilegedplacewherecommunionis
ceaselesslyproclaimedandnurtured.PreciselythroughsharingintheEucharist,the
Lord'sDayalsobecomestheDayoftheChurch,whenshecaneffectivelyexercise
herroleasthesacramentofunity.88
42.Thesafeguardingandpromotionofecclesialcommunionisataskofeach
memberofthefaithful,whofindsintheEucharist,asthesacramentoftheChurch's
unity,anareaofspecialconcern.Morespecifically,thistaskistheparticular
responsibilityoftheChurch'sPastors,eachaccordingtohisrankandecclesiastical
office.ForthisreasontheChurchhasdrawnupnormsaimedbothatfosteringthe
frequentandfruitfulaccessofthefaithfultotheEucharistictableandatdetermining
theobjectiveconditionsunderwhichcommunionmaynotbegiven.Thecareshown
inpromotingthefaithfulobservanceofthesenormsbecomesapracticalmeansof
showinglovefortheEucharistandfortheChurch.

43.InconsideringtheEucharistasthesacramentofecclesialcommunion,thereis
onesubjectwhich,duetoitsimportance,mustnotbeoverlooked:Iamreferringto
therelationshipoftheEucharisttoecumenicalactivity.Weshouldallgivethanksto
theBlessedTrinityforthemanymembersofthefaithfulthroughouttheworldwho
inrecentdecadeshavefeltanardentdesireforunityamongallChristians.The
SecondVaticanCouncil,atthebeginningofitsDecreeonEcumenism,seesthisasa
specialgiftofGod.89Itwasanefficaciousgracewhichinspiredus,thesonsand
daughtersoftheCatholicChurchandourbrothersandsistersfromotherChurches
andEcclesialCommunities,tosetforthonthepathofecumenism.

OurlongingforthegoalofunitypromptsustoturntotheEucharist,whichisthe
supremesacramentoftheunityofthePeopleofGod,inasmuchasitistheapt
expressionandtheunsurpassablesourceofthatunity.90Inthecelebrationofthe
EucharisticSacrificetheChurchpraysthatGod,theFatherofmercies,willgranthis
childrenthefullnessoftheHolySpiritsothattheymaybecomeonebodyandone
spiritinChrist.91InraisingthisprayertotheFatheroflights,fromwhomcomes
everygoodendowmentandeveryperfectgift(cf.Jas1:17),theChurchbelievesthat
shewillbeheard,forshepraysinunionwithChristherHeadandSpouse,whotakes
upthispleaofhisBrideandjoinsittothatofhisownredemptivesacrifice.

44.PreciselybecausetheChurch'sunity,whichtheEucharistbringsaboutthrough
theLord'ssacrificeandbycommunioninhisbodyandblood,absolutelyrequires
fullcommunioninthebondsoftheprofessionoffaith,thesacramentsand
ecclesiasticalgovernance,itisnotpossibletocelebratetogetherthesame
Eucharisticliturgyuntilthosebondsarefullyreestablished.Anysuch
concelebrationwouldnotbeavalidmeans,andmightwellproveinsteadtobean
obstacle,totheattainmentoffullcommunion,byweakeningthesenseofhowfarwe
remainfromthisgoalandbyintroducingorexacerbatingambiguitieswithregardto
oneoranothertruthofthefaith.Thepathtowardsfullunitycanonlybeundertaken
intruth.Inthisarea,theprohibitionsofChurchlawleavenoroomforuncertainty,92
infidelitytothemoralnormlaiddownbytheSecondVaticanCouncil.93

IwouldlikenonethelesstoreaffirmwhatIsaidinmyEncyclicalLetterUtUnum
SintafterhavingacknowledgedtheimpossibilityofEucharisticsharing:Andyet
wedohaveaburningdesiretojoinincelebratingtheoneEucharistoftheLord,and
thisdesireitselfisalreadyacommonprayerofpraise,asinglesupplication.
TogetherwespeaktotheFatherandincreasinglywedoso'withoneheart'.94

45.Whileitisneverlegitimatetoconcelebrateintheabsenceoffullcommunion,
thesameisnottruewithrespecttotheadministrationoftheEucharistunderspecial
circumstances,toindividualpersonsbelongingtoChurchesorEcclesial
CommunitiesnotinfullcommunionwiththeCatholicChurch.Inthiscase,infact,
theintentionistomeetagravespiritualneedfortheeternalsalvationofan
individualbeliever,nottobringaboutanintercommunionwhichremainsimpossible
untilthevisiblebondsofecclesialcommunionarefullyreestablished.

ThiswastheapproachtakenbytheSecondVaticanCouncilwhenitgaveguidelines
forrespondingtoEasternChristiansseparatedingoodfaithfromtheCatholic
Church,whospontaneouslyasktoreceivetheEucharistfromaCatholicminister
andareproperlydisposed.95ThisapproachwasthenratifiedbybothCodes,which
alsoconsiderwithnecessarymodificationsthecaseofothernonEastern
ChristianswhoarenotinfullcommunionwiththeCatholicChurch.96

46.InmyEncyclicalUtUnumSintIexpressedmyownappreciationofthesenorms,
whichmakeitpossibletoprovideforthesalvationofsoulswithproperdiscernment:
ItisasourceofjoytonotethatCatholicministersareable,incertainparticular
cases,toadministerthesacramentsoftheEucharist,PenanceandAnointingofthe
SicktoChristianswhoarenotinfullcommunionwiththeCatholicChurchbutwho
greatlydesiretoreceivethesesacraments,freelyrequestthemandmanifestthefaith
whichtheCatholicChurchprofesseswithregardtothesesacraments.Conversely,in
specificcasesandinparticularcircumstances,Catholicstoocanrequestthesesame
sacramentsfromministersofChurchesinwhichthesesacramentsarevalid.97

Theseconditions,fromwhichnodispensationcanbegiven,mustbecarefully
respected,eventhoughtheydealwithspecificindividualcases,becausethedenial
ofoneormoretruthsofthefaithregardingthesesacramentsand,amongthese,the
truthregardingtheneedoftheministerialpriesthoodfortheirvalidity,rendersthe
personaskingimproperlydisposedtolegitimatelyreceivingthem.Andtheopposite
isalsotrue:Catholicsmaynotreceivecommunioninthosecommunitieswhichlack
avalidsacramentofOrders.98

Thefaithfulobservanceofthebodyofnormsestablishedinthisarea99isa
manifestationand,atthesametime,aguaranteeofourloveforJesusChristinthe
BlessedSacrament,forourbrothersandsistersofdifferentChristianconfessions
whohavearighttoourwitnesstothetruthandforthecauseitselfofthe
promotionofunity.

CHAPTERFIVE

THEDIGNITYOFTHEEUCHARISTICCELEBRATION
47.ReadingtheaccountoftheinstitutionoftheEucharistintheSynopticGospels,
wearestruckbythesimplicityandthesolemnitywithwhichJesus,onthe
eveningoftheLastSupper,institutedthisgreatsacrament.Thereisanepisode
whichinsomewayservesasitsprelude:theanointingatBethany.Awoman,whom
JohnidentifiesasMarythesisterofLazarus,poursaflaskofcostlyointmentover
Jesus'head,whichprovokesfromthedisciplesandfromJudasinparticular(cf.Mt
26:8Mk14:4Jn12:4)anindignantresponse,asifthisact,inlightoftheneedsof
thepoor,representedanintolerablewaste.ButJesus'ownreactioniscompletely
different.Whileinnowaydetractingfromthedutyofcharitytowardstheneedy,for
whomthedisciplesmustalwaysshowspecialcarethepooryouwillalwayshave
withyou(Mt26,11Mk14:7cf.Jn12:8)helookstowardshisimminentdeath
andburial,andseesthisactofanointingasananticipationofthehonourwhichhis
bodywillcontinuetomeritevenafterhisdeath,indissolublyboundasitistothe
mysteryofhisperson.

Theaccountcontinues,intheSynopticGospels,withJesus'chargetothedisciples
topreparecarefullythelargeupperroomneededforthePassovermeal(cf.Mk
14:15Lk22:12)andwiththenarrationoftheinstitutionoftheEucharist.Reflecting
atleastinparttheJewishritesofthePassovermealleadinguptothesingingofthe
Hallel(cf.Mt26:30Mk14:26),thestorypresentswithsobrietyandsolemnity,even
inthevariantsofthedifferenttraditions,thewordsspokenbyChristoverthebread
andwine,whichhemadeintoconcreteexpressionsofthehandingoverofhisbody
andthesheddingofhisblood.AllthesedetailsarerecordedbytheEvangelistsin
thelightofapraxisofthebreakingofthebreadalreadywellestablishedinthe
earlyChurch.ButcertainlyfromthetimeofJesuson,theeventofHolyThursday
hasshownvisibletracesofaliturgicalsensibilityshapedbyOldTestament
traditionandopentobeingreshapedinChristiancelebrationsinawayconsonant
withthenewcontentofEaster.

48.LikethewomanwhoanointedJesusinBethany,theChurchhasfearedno
extravagance,devotingthebestofherresourcestoexpressingherwonderand
adorationbeforetheunsurpassablegiftoftheEucharist.Nolessthanthefirst
discipleschargedwithpreparingthelargeupperroom,shehasfelttheneed,down
thecenturiesandinherencounterswithdifferentcultures,tocelebratetheEucharist
inasettingworthyofsogreatamystery.InthewakeofJesus'ownwordsand
actions,andbuildingupontheritualheritageofJudaism,theChristianliturgywas
born.Couldthereeverbeanadequatemeansofexpressingtheacceptanceofthat
selfgiftwhichthedivineBridegroomcontinuallymakestohisBride,theChurch,
bybringingtheSacrificeofferedonceandforallontheCrosstosuccessive
generationsofbelieversandthusbecomingnourishmentforallthefaithful?Though
theideaofabanquetnaturallysuggestsfamiliarity,theChurchhasneveryielded
tothetemptationtotrivializethisintimacywithherSpousebyforgettingthatheis
alsoherLordandthatthebanquetalwaysremainsasacrificialbanquetmarkedby
thebloodshedonGolgotha.TheEucharisticBanquetistrulyasacredbanquet,
inwhichthesimplicityofthesignsconcealstheunfathomableholinessofGod:O
sacrumconvivium,inquoChristussumitur!Thebreadwhichisbrokenonour
altars,offeredtousaswayfarersalongthepathsoftheworld,ispanisangelorum,
thebreadofangels,whichcannotbeapproachedexceptwiththehumilityofthe
centurionintheGospel:Lord,Iamnotworthytohaveyoucomeundermyroof
(Mt8:8Lk7:6).

49.Withthisheightenedsenseofmystery,weunderstandhowthefaithofthe
ChurchinthemysteryoftheEucharisthasfoundhistoricalexpressionnotonlyin
thedemandforaninteriordispositionofdevotion,butalsoinoutwardformsmeant
toevokeandemphasizethegrandeuroftheeventbeingcelebrated.Thisled
progressivelytothedevelopmentofaparticularformofregulatingtheEucharistic
liturgy,withduerespectforthevariouslegitimatelyconstitutedecclesialtraditions.
Onthisfoundationarichartisticheritagealsodeveloped.Architecture,sculpture,
paintingandmusic,movedbytheChristianmystery,havefoundintheEucharist,
bothdirectlyandindirectly,asourceofgreatinspiration.

Suchwasthecase,forexample,witharchitecture,whichwitnessedthetransition,
oncethehistoricalsituationmadeitpossible,fromthefirstplacesofEucharistic
celebrationinthedomusorhomesofChristianfamiliestothesolemnbasilicasof
theearlycenturies,totheimposingcathedralsoftheMiddleAges,andtothe
churches,largeandsmall,whichgraduallysprangupthroughoutthelandstouched
byChristianity.ThedesignsofaltarsandtabernacleswithinChurchinteriorswere
oftennotsimplymotivatedbyartisticinspirationbutalsobyaclearunderstanding
ofthemystery.Thesamecouldbesaidforsacredmusic,ifwebutthinkofthe
inspiredGregorianmelodiesandthemany,oftengreat,composerswhosoughttodo
justicetotheliturgicaltextsoftheMass.Similarly,canweoverlooktheenormous
quantityofartisticproduction,rangingfromfinecraftsmanshiptoauthenticworks
ofart,intheareaofChurchfurnishingsandvestmentsusedforthecelebrationofthe
Eucharist?

ItcanbesaidthattheEucharist,whileshapingtheChurchandherspirituality,has
alsopowerfullyaffectedculture,andtheartsinparticular.

50.Inthisefforttoadorethemysterygraspedinitsritualandaestheticdimensions,
acertaincompetitionhastakenplacebetweenChristiansoftheWestandtheEast.
HowcouldwenotgiveparticularthankstotheLordforthecontributionsto
ChristianartmadebythegreatarchitecturalandartisticworksoftheGreco
ByzantinetraditionandofthewholegeographicalareamarkedbySlavculture?In
theEast,sacredarthaspreservedaremarkablypowerfulsenseofmystery,which
leadsartiststoseetheireffortsatcreatingbeautynotsimplyasanexpressionoftheir
owntalents,butalsoasagenuineservicetothefaith.Passingwellbeyondmere
technicalskill,theyhaveshownthemselvesdocileandopentotheinspirationofthe
HolySpirit.

ThearchitecturalandmosaicsplendoursoftheChristianEastandWestarea
patrimonybelongingtoallbelieverstheycontainahope,andevenapledge,ofthe
desiredfullnessofcommunioninfaithandincelebration.Thiswouldpresuppose
anddemand,asinRublv'sfamousdepictionoftheTrinity,aprofoundly
EucharisticChurchinwhichthepresenceofthemysteryofChristinthebroken
breadisasitwereimmersedintheineffableunityofthethreedivinePersons,
makingoftheChurchherselfaniconoftheTrinity.

Withinthiscontextofanartaimedatexpressing,inallitselements,themeaningof
theEucharistinaccordancewiththeChurch'steaching,attentionneedstobegiven
tothenormsregulatingtheconstructionanddecorofsacredbuildings.Ashistory
showsandasIemphasizedinmyLettertoArtists,100theChurchhasalwaysleft
ampleroomforthecreativityofartists.Butsacredartmustbeoutstandingforits
abilitytoexpressadequatelythemysterygraspedinthefullnessoftheChurch'sfaith
andinaccordancewiththepastoralguidelinesappropriatelylaiddownbycompetent
Authority.Thisholdstruebothforthefigurativeartsandforsacredmusic.

51.Thedevelopmentofsacredartandliturgicaldisciplinewhichtookplaceinlands
ofancientChristianheritageisalsotakingplaceoncontinentswhereChristianityis
younger.ThiswaspreciselytheapproachsupportedbytheSecondVaticanCouncil
ontheneedforsoundandproperinculturation.InmynumerousPastoralVisitsI
haveseen,throughouttheworld,thegreatvitalitywhichthecelebrationofthe
Eucharistcanhavewhenmarkedbytheforms,stylesandsensibilitiesofdifferent
cultures.Byadaptationtothechangingconditionsoftimeandplace,theEucharist
offerssustenancenotonlytoindividualsbuttoentirepeoples,anditshapescultures
inspiredbyChristianity.

Itisnecessary,however,thatthisimportantworkofadaptationbecarriedoutwitha
constantawarenessoftheineffablemysteryagainstwhicheverygenerationiscalled
tomeasureitself.Thetreasureistooimportantandprecioustorisk
impoverishmentorcompromisethroughformsofexperimentationorpractices
introducedwithoutacarefulreviewonthepartofthecompetentecclesiastical
authorities.Furthermore,thecentralityoftheEucharisticmysterydemandsthatany
suchreviewmustbeundertakenincloseassociationwiththeHolySee.AsIwrote
inmyPostSynodalApostolicExhortationEcclesiainAsia,suchcooperationis
essentialbecausetheSacredLiturgyexpressesandcelebratestheonefaithprofessed
byalland,beingtheheritageofthewholeChurch,cannotbedeterminedbylocal
ChurchesinisolationfromtheuniversalChurch.101

52.Allofthismakesclearthegreatresponsibilitywhichbelongstopriestsin
particularforthecelebrationoftheEucharist.Itistheirresponsibilitytopresideat
theEucharistinpersonaChristiandtoprovideawitnesstoandaserviceof
communionnotonlyforthecommunitydirectlytakingpartinthecelebration,but
alsofortheuniversalChurch,whichisapartofeveryEucharist.Itmustbelamented
that,especiallyintheyearsfollowingthepostconciliarliturgicalreform,asaresult
ofamisguidedsenseofcreativityandadaptationtherehavebeenanumberof
abuseswhichhavebeenasourceofsufferingformany.Acertainreactionagainst
formalismhasledsome,especiallyincertainregions,toconsidertheforms
chosenbytheChurch'sgreatliturgicaltraditionandherMagisteriumasnonbinding
andtointroduceunauthorizedinnovationswhichareoftencompletely
inappropriate.

Iconsideritmyduty,thereforetoappealurgentlythattheliturgicalnormsforthe
celebrationoftheEucharistbeobservedwithgreatfidelity.Thesenormsarea
concreteexpressionoftheauthenticallyecclesialnatureoftheEucharistthisistheir
deepestmeaning.Liturgyisneveranyone'sprivateproperty,beitofthecelebrantor
ofthecommunityinwhichthemysteriesarecelebrated.TheApostlePaulhadto
addressfierywordstothecommunityofCorinthbecauseofgraveshortcomingsin
theircelebrationoftheEucharistresultingindivisions(schismata)andthe
emergenceoffactions(haireseis)(cf.1Cor11:1734).Ourtime,too,callsfora
renewedawarenessandappreciationofliturgicalnormsasareflectionof,anda
witnessto,theoneuniversalChurchmadepresentineverycelebrationofthe
Eucharist.PriestswhofaithfullycelebrateMassaccordingtotheliturgicalnorms,
andcommunitieswhichconformtothosenorms,quietlybuteloquentlydemonstrate
theirlovefortheChurch.Preciselytobringoutmoreclearlythisdeepermeaningof
liturgicalnorms,IhaveaskedthecompetentofficesoftheRomanCuriatopreparea
morespecificdocument,includingprescriptionsofajuridicalnature,onthisvery
importantsubject.Nooneispermittedtoundervaluethemysteryentrustedtoour
hands:itistoogreatforanyonetofeelfreetotreatitlightlyandwithdisregardfor
itssacrednessanditsuniversality.

CHAPTERSIX

ATTHESCHOOLOFMARY,WOMANOFTHEEUCHARIST
53.Ifwewishtorediscoverinallitsrichnesstheprofoundrelationshipbetweenthe
ChurchandtheEucharist,wecannotneglectMary,Motherandmodelofthe
Church.InmyApostolicLetterRosariumVirginisMariae,IpointedtotheBlessed
VirginMaryasourteacherincontemplatingChrist'sface,andamongthemysteries
oflightIincludedtheinstitutionoftheEucharist.102Marycanguideustowardsthis
mostholysacrament,becausesheherselfhasaprofoundrelationshipwithit.
Atfirstglance,theGospelissilentonthissubject.Theaccountoftheinstitutionof
theEucharistonthenightofHolyThursdaymakesnomentionofMary.Yetwe
knowthatshewaspresentamongtheApostleswhoprayedwithoneaccord(cf.
Acts1:14)inthefirstcommunitywhichgatheredaftertheAscensioninexpectation
ofPentecost.CertainlyMarymusthavebeenpresentattheEucharisticcelebrations
ofthefirstgenerationofChristians,whoweredevotedtothebreakingofbread
(Acts2:42).

ButinadditiontohersharingintheEucharisticbanquet,anindirectpictureof
Mary'srelationshipwiththeEucharistcanbehad,beginningwithherinterior
disposition.MaryisawomanoftheEucharistinherwholelife.TheChurch,
whichlookstoMaryasamodel,isalsocalledtoimitateherinherrelationshipwith
thismostholymystery.

54.Mysteriumfidei!IftheEucharistisamysteryoffaithwhichsogreatly
transcendsourunderstandingastocallforsheerabandonmenttothewordofGod,
thentherecanbenoonelikeMarytoactasoursupportandguideinacquiringthis
disposition.InrepeatingwhatChristdidattheLastSupperinobediencetohis
command:Dothisinmemoryofme!,wealsoacceptMary'sinvitationtoobey
himwithouthesitation:Dowhateverhetellsyou(Jn2:5).Withthesamematernal
concernwhichsheshowedattheweddingfeastofCana,Maryseemstosaytous:
DonotwavertrustinthewordsofmySon.Ifhewasabletochangewaterinto
wine,hecanalsoturnbreadandwineintohisbodyandblood,andthroughthis
mysterybestowonbelieversthelivingmemorialofhispassover,thusbecomingthe
'breadoflife'.

55.InacertainsenseMarylivedherEucharisticfaithevenbeforetheinstitutionof
theEucharist,bytheveryfactthatsheofferedhervirginalwombfortheIncarnation
ofGod'sWord.TheEucharist,whilecommemoratingthepassionandresurrection,is
alsoincontinuitywiththeincarnation.AttheAnnunciationMaryconceivedtheSon
ofGodinthephysicalrealityofhisbodyandblood,thusanticipatingwithinherself
whattosomedegreehappenssacramentallyineverybelieverwhoreceives,under
thesignsofbreadandwine,theLord'sbodyandblood.

Asaresult,thereisaprofoundanalogybetweentheFiatwhichMarysaidinreply
totheangel,andtheAmenwhicheverybelieversayswhenreceivingthebodyofthe
Lord.MarywasaskedtobelievethattheOnewhomsheconceivedthroughthe
HolySpiritwastheSonofGod(Lk1:3035).IncontinuitywiththeVirgin's
faith,intheEucharisticmysteryweareaskedtobelievethatthesameJesusChrist,
SonofGodandSonofMary,becomespresentinhisfullhumanityanddivinity
underthesignsofbreadandwine.

Blessedisshewhobelieved(Lk1:45).Maryalsoanticipated,inthemysteryofthe
incarnation,theChurch'sEucharisticfaith.When,attheVisitation,sheboreinher
wombtheWordmadeflesh,shebecameinsomewayatabernaclethefirst
tabernacleinhistoryinwhichtheSonofGod,stillinvisibletoourhumangaze,
allowedhimselftobeadoredbyElizabeth,radiatinghislightasitwerethroughthe
eyesandthevoiceofMary.AndisnottheenrapturedgazeofMaryasshe
contemplatedthefaceofthenewbornChristandcradledhiminherarmsthat
unparalleledmodeloflovewhichshouldinspireuseverytimewereceive
Eucharisticcommunion?

56.Mary,throughoutherlifeatChrist'ssideandnotonlyonCalvary,madeherown
thesacrificialdimensionoftheEucharist.WhenshebroughtthechildJesustothe
TempleinJerusalemtopresenthimtotheLord(Lk2:22),sheheardtheaged
TempleinJerusalemtopresenthimtotheLord(Lk2:22),sheheardtheaged
Simeonannouncethatthechildwouldbeasignofcontradictionandthatasword
wouldalsopierceherownheart(cf.Lk2:3435).ThetragedyofherSon's
crucifixionwasthusforetold,andinsomesenseMary'sStabatMateratthefootof
theCrosswasforeshadowed.InherdailypreparationforCalvary,Maryexperienced
akindofanticipatedEucharistonemightsayaspiritualcommunionof
desireandofoblation,whichwouldculminateinherunionwithherSoninhis
passion,andthenfindexpressionafterEasterbyherpartakingintheEucharist
whichtheApostlescelebratedasthememorialofthatpassion.

WhatmustMaryhavefeltassheheardfromthemouthofPeter,John,Jamesandthe
otherApostlesthewordsspokenattheLastSupper:Thisismybodywhichis
givenforyou(Lk22:19)?Thebodygivenupforusandmadepresentunder
sacramentalsignswasthesamebodywhichshehadconceivedinherwomb!For
Mary,receivingtheEucharistmusthavesomehowmeantwelcomingoncemoreinto
herwombthatheartwhichhadbeatinunisonwithhersandrelivingwhatshehad
experiencedatthefootoftheCross.

57.Dothisinremembranceofme(Lk22:19).InthememorialofCalvaryall
thatChristaccomplishedbyhispassionandhisdeathispresent.Consequentlyall
thatChristdidwithregardtohisMotherforoursakeisalsopresent.Toherhegave
thebeloveddiscipleand,inhim,eachofus:Behold,yourSon!.Toeachofushe
alsosays:Beholdyourmother!(cf.Jn19:2627).

ExperiencingthememorialofChrist'sdeathintheEucharistalsomeanscontinually
receivingthisgift.ItmeansacceptinglikeJohntheonewhoisgiventousanew
asourMother.ItalsomeanstakingonacommitmenttobeconformedtoChrist,
puttingourselvesattheschoolofhisMotherandallowinghertoaccompanyus.
Maryispresent,withtheChurchandastheMotheroftheChurch,ateachofour
celebrationsoftheEucharist.IftheChurchandtheEucharistareinseparablyunited,
thesameoughttobesaidofMaryandtheEucharist.Thisisonereasonwhy,since
ancienttimes,thecommemorationofMaryhasalwaysbeenpartoftheEucharistic
celebrationsoftheChurchesofEastandWest.

58.IntheEucharisttheChurchiscompletelyunitedtoChristandhissacrifice,and
makesherownthespiritofMary.Thistruthcanbeunderstoodmoredeeplybyre
readingtheMagnificatinaEucharistickey.TheEucharist,liketheCanticleof
Mary,isfirstandforemostpraiseandthanksgiving.WhenMaryexclaims:Mysoul
magnifiestheLordandmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySaviour,shealreadybears
Jesusinherwomb.ShepraisesGodthroughJesus,butshealsopraiseshimin
JesusandwithJesus.ThisisitselfthetrueEucharisticattitude.

AtthesametimeMaryrecallsthewondersworkedbyGodinsalvationhistoryin
fulfilmentofthepromiseoncemadetothefathers(cf.Lk1:55),andproclaimsthe
wonderthatsurpassesthemall,theredemptiveincarnation.Lastly,theMagnificat
reflectstheeschatologicaltensionoftheEucharist.EverytimetheSonofGod
comesagaintousinthepovertyofthesacramentalsignsofbreadandwine,the
seedsofthatnewhistorywhereinthemightyareputdownfromtheirthronesand
thoseoflowdegreeareexalted(cf.Lk1:52),takerootintheworld.Marysingsof
thenewheavensandthenewearthwhichfindintheEucharisttheiranticipation
andinsomesensetheirprogrammeandplan.TheMagnificatexpressesMary's
spirituality,andthereisnothinggreaterthanthisspiritualityforhelpingusto
experiencethemysteryoftheEucharist.TheEucharisthasbeengiventoussothat
ourlife,likethatofMary,maybecomecompletelyaMagnificat!


CONCLUSION

59.Ave,verumcorpusnatumdeMariaVirgine!SeveralyearsagoIcelebratedthe
fiftiethanniversaryofmypriesthood.TodayIhavethegraceofofferingtheChurch
thisEncyclicalontheEucharistontheHolyThursdaywhichfallsduringthetwenty
fifthyearofmyPetrineministry.AsIdoso,myheartisfilledwithgratitude.For
overahalfcentury,everyday,beginningon2November1946,whenIcelebrated
myfirstMassintheCryptofSaintLeonardinWawelCathedralinKrakow,myeyes
havegazedinrecollectionuponthehostandthechalice,wheretimeandspacein
somewaymergeandthedramaofGolgothaisrepresentedinalivingway,thus
revealingitsmysteriouscontemporaneity.Eachdaymyfaithhasbeenableto
recognizeintheconsecratedbreadandwinethedivineWayfarerwhojoinedthetwo
disciplesontheroadtoEmmausandopenedtheireyestothelightandtheirheartsto
newhope(cf.Lk24:1335).

Allowme,dearbrothersandsisters,tosharewithdeepemotion,asameansof
accompanyingandstrengtheningyourfaith,myowntestimonyoffaithintheMost
HolyEucharist.AveverumcorpusnatumdeMariaVirgine,verepassum,
immolatum,incruceprohomine!HereistheChurch'streasure,theheartofthe
world,thepledgeofthefulfilmentforwhicheachmanandwoman,even
unconsciously,yearns.Agreatandtranscendentmystery,indeed,andonethattaxes
ourmind'sabilitytopassbeyondappearances.Hereoursensesfailus:visus,tactus,
gustusintefallitur,inthewordsofthehymnAdoroTeDevoteyetfaithalone,
rootedinthewordofChristhandeddowntousbytheApostles,issufficientforus.
Allowme,likePeterattheendoftheEucharisticdiscourseinJohn'sGospel,tosay
oncemoretoChrist,inthenameofthewholeChurchandinthenameofeachof
you:Lordtowhomshallwego?Youhavethewordsofeternallife(Jn6:68).

60.Atthedawnofthisthirdmillennium,we,thechildrenoftheChurch,arecalled
toundertakewithrenewedenthusiasmthejourneyofChristianliving.AsIwrotein
myApostolicLetterNovoMillennioIneunte,itisnotamatterofinventinga'new
programme'.Theprogrammealreadyexists:itistheplanfoundintheGospelandin
thelivingTraditionitisthesameasever.Ultimately,ithasitscentreinChrist
himself,whoistobeknown,lovedandimitated,sothatinhimwemaylivethelife
oftheTrinity,andwithhimtransformhistoryuntilitsfulfilmentintheheavenly
Jerusalem.103Theimplementationofthisprogrammeofarenewedimpetusin
ChristianlivingpassesthroughtheEucharist.

Everycommitmenttoholiness,everyactivityaimedatcarryingouttheChurch's
mission,everyworkofpastoralplanning,mustdrawthestrengthitneedsfromthe
Eucharisticmysteryandinturnbedirectedtothatmysteryasitsculmination.Inthe
EucharistwehaveJesus,wehavehisredemptivesacrifice,wehavehisresurrection,
wehavethegiftoftheHolySpirit,wehaveadoration,obedienceandloveofthe
Father.WerewetodisregardtheEucharist,howcouldweovercomeourown
deficiency?

61.ThemysteryoftheEucharistsacrifice,presence,banquetdoesnotallowfor
reductionorexploitationitmustbeexperiencedandlivedinitsintegrity,bothinits
celebrationandintheintimateconversewithJesuswhichtakesplaceafterreceiving
communionorinaprayerfulmomentofEucharisticadorationapartfromMass.
ThesearetimeswhentheChurchisfirmlybuiltupanditbecomesclearwhatshe
trulyis:one,holy,catholicandapostolicthepeople,templeandfamilyofGodthe
bodyandbrideofChrist,enlivenedbytheHolySpirittheuniversalsacramentof
salvationandahierarchicallystructuredcommunion.
ThepathtakenbytheChurchinthesefirstyearsofthethirdmillenniumisalsoa
pathofrenewedecumenicalcommitment.Thefinaldecadesofthesecond
millennium,culminatingintheGreatJubilee,havespurredusalongthispathand
calledforallthebaptizedtorespondtotheprayerofJesusutunumsint(Jn
17:11).Thepathitselfislongandstrewnwithobstaclesgreaterthanourhuman
resourcesalonecanovercome,yetwehavetheEucharist,andinitspresencewecan
hearinthedepthsofourhearts,asiftheywereaddressedtous,thesamewords
heardbytheProphetElijah:Ariseandeat,elsethejourneywillbetoogreatfor
you(1Kg19:7).ThetreasureoftheEucharist,whichtheLordplacesbeforeus,
impelsustowardsthegoaloffullsharingwithallourbrothersandsisterstowhom
wearejoinedbyourcommonBaptism.Butifthistreasureisnottobesquandered,
weneedtorespectthedemandswhichderivefromitsbeingthesacramentof
communioninfaithandinapostolicsuccession.

BygivingtheEucharisttheprominenceitdeserves,andbybeingcarefulnotto
diminishanyofitsdimensionsordemands,weshowthatwearetrulyconsciousof
thegreatnessofthisgift.Weareurgedtodosobyanuninterruptedtradition,which
fromthefirstcenturiesonhasfoundtheChristiancommunityevervigilantin
guardingthistreasure.Inspiredbylove,theChurchisanxioustohandontofuture
generationsofChristians,withoutloss,herfaithandteachingwithregardtothe
mysteryoftheEucharist.Therecanbenodangerofexcessinourcareforthis
mystery,forinthissacramentisrecapitulatedthewholemysteryofour
salvation.104

62.Letustakeourplace,dearbrothersandsisters,attheschoolofthesaints,who
arethegreatinterpretersoftrueEucharisticpiety.Inthemthetheologyofthe
Eucharisttakesonallthesplendourofalivedrealityitbecomescontagiousand,
inamannerofspeaking,itwarmsourhearts.Aboveall,letuslistentoMaryMost
Holy,inwhomthemysteryoftheEucharistappears,morethaninanyoneelse,asa
mysteryoflight.GazinguponMary,wecometoknowthetransformingpower
presentintheEucharist.Inherweseetheworldrenewedinlove.Contemplating
her,assumedbodyandsoulintoheaven,weseeopeningupbeforeusthosenew
heavensandthatnewearthwhichwillappearatthesecondcomingofChrist.
Herebelow,theEucharistrepresentstheirpledge,andinacertainway,their
anticipation:Veni,DomineIesu!(Rev22:20).

Inthehumblesignsofbreadandwine,changedintohisbodyandblood,Christ
walksbesideusasourstrengthandourfoodforthejourney,andheenablesusto
become,foreveryone,witnessesofhope.If,inthepresenceofthismystery,reason
experiencesitslimits,theheart,enlightenedbythegraceoftheHolySpirit,clearly
seestheresponsethatisdemanded,andbowslowinadorationandunboundedlove.

LetusmakeourownthewordsofSaintThomasAquinas,aneminenttheologian
andanimpassionedpoetofChristintheEucharist,andturninhopetothe
contemplationofthatgoaltowhichourheartsaspireintheirthirstforjoyandpeace:

Bonepastor,panisvere,
Iesu,nostrimiserere...

Comethen,goodShepherd,breaddivine,
Stillshowtousthymercysign
Oh,feedus,stillkeepusthine
Sowemayseethygloriesshine
infieldsofimmortality.
 Othou,thewisest,mightiest,best,
Ourpresentfood,ourfuturerest,
Come,makeuseachthychosenguest,
Coheirsofthine,andcomradesblest
Withsaintswhosedwellingiswiththee.

GiveninRome,atSaintPeter's,on17April,HolyThursday,intheyear2003,the
TwentyfifthofmyPontificate,theYearoftheRosary.

NOTES

1SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumen
Gentium,11.

2SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DecreeontheMinistryandLifeofPriests
PresbyterorumOrdinis,5.
3Cf.JohnPaulII,ApostolicLetterRosariumVirginisMariae(16October2002),21:
AAS95(2003),19.
4ThisisthetitlewhichIgavetoanautobiographicaltestimonyissuedformyfiftieth
anniversaryofpriestlyordination.
5LeonisXIIIP.M.Acta,XXII(1903),115136.

6AAS39(1947),521595.

7AAS57(1965),753774.

8AAS72(1980),113148.

9Cf.SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,ConstitutionSacrosanctumConcilium,
47:...ourSaviourinstitutedtheEucharisticSacrificeofhisbodyandblood,in
ordertoperpetuatethesacrificeoftheCrossthroughouttime,untilheshould
return.

10CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,1085.

11SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumen
Gentium,3.

12Cf.PaulVI,SolemnProfessionofFaith,30June1968,24:AAS60(1968),442
JohnPaulII,ApostolicLetterDominicaeCenae(24February1980),12:AAS72
(1980),142.
13CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,1382.

14CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,1367.

15InEpistolamadHebraeosHomiliae,Hom.17,3:PG63,131.
 InEpistolamadHebraeosHomiliae,Hom.17,3:PG63,131.
16Cf.EcumenicalCouncilofTrent,SessionXXII,Doctrinadess.MissaeSacrificio,
Chapter2:DS1743:Itisoneandthesamevictimhereofferinghimselfbythe
ministryofhispriests,whothenofferedhimselfontheCrossitisonlythemanner
ofofferingthatisdifferent.
17PiusXII,EncyclicalLetterMediatorDei(20November1947):AAS39(1947),
548.

18JohnPaulII,EncyclicalLetterRedemptorHominis(15March1979),20:AAS71
(1979),310.

19DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentium,11.

20DeSacramentis,V,4,26:CSEL73,70.

21InIoannisEvangelium,XII,20:PG74,726.

22EncyclicalLetterMysteriumFidei(3September1965):AAS57(1965),764.

23SessionXIII,Decretumdess.Eucharistia,Chapter4:DS1642.

24MystagogicalCatecheses,IV,6:SCh126,138.

25SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutiononDivineRevelation
DeiVerbum,8.
26SolemnProfessionofFaith,30June1968,25:AAS60(1968),442443.

27SermoIVinHebdomadamSanctam:CSCO413/Syr.182,55.

28Anaphora.

29EucharisticPrayerIII.

30SolemnityoftheBodyandBloodofChrist,SecondVespers,Antiphontothe
Magnificat.
31MissaleRomanum,EmbolismfollowingtheLord'sPrayer.

32AdEphesios,20:PG5,661.

33Cf.SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,PastoralConstitutionontheChurchin
theModernWorldGaudiumetSpes,39.
34DoyouwishtohonourthebodyofChrist?Donotignorehimwhenheisnaked.
Donotpayhimhomageinthetemplecladinsilk,onlythentoneglecthimoutside
whereheiscoldandillclad.Hewhosaid:'Thisismybody'isthesamewhosaid:
'Yousawmehungryandyougavemenofood',and'Whateveryoudidtotheleastof
mybrothersyoudidalsotome'...WhatgoodisitiftheEucharistictableis
overloadedwithgoldenchaliceswhenyourbrotherisdyingofhunger.Startby
satisfyinghishungerandthenwithwhatisleftyoumayadornthealtaraswell:
SaintJohnChrysostom,InEvangeliumS.Matthaei,hom.50:34:PG58,508509
cf.JohnPaulII,EncyclicalLetterSollicitudoReiSocialis(30December1987),31:
AAS80(1988),553556.

35DogmaticConstitutionLumenGentium,3.

36Ibid.

37SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DecreeontheMissionaryActivityofthe
ChurchAdGentes,5.
38Mosestookthebloodandthrewituponthepeople,andsaid:'Beholdtheblood
oftheCovenantwhichtheLordhasmadewithyouinaccordancewithallthese
words'(Ex24:8).
39Cf.SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurch
LumenGentium,1.
40Cf.ibid.,9.

41Cf.SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DecreeontheLifeandMinistryof
PriestsPresbyterorumOrdinis,5.ThesameDecree,inNo.6,says:NoChristian
communitycanbebuiltupwhichdoesnotgrowfromandhingeonthecelebration
ofthemostholyEucharist.
42InEpistolamIadCorinthiosHomiliae,24,2:PG61,200Cf.Didache,IX,4:
F.X.Funk,I,22SaintCyprian,Ep.LXIII,13:PL4,384.
43PO26,206.

44SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumen
Gentium,1.
45Cf.EcumenicalCouncilofTrent,SessionXIII,Decretumdess.Eucharistia,
Canon4:DS1654.
46Cf.RitualeRomanum:Desacracommunioneetdecultumysteriieucharistici
extraMissam,36(No.80).

47Cf.ibid.,3839(Nos.8690).

48JohnPaulII,ApostolicLetterNovoMillennioIneunte(6January2001),32:AAS
93(2001),288.

49InthecourseofthedaythefaithfulshouldnotomitvisitingtheBlessed
Sacrament,whichinaccordancewithliturgicallawmustbereservedinchurches
withgreatreverenceinaprominentplace.Suchvisitsareasignofgratitude,an
expressionofloveandanacknowledgmentoftheLord'spresence:PaulVI,
EncyclicalLetterMysteriumFidei(3September1965):AAS57(1965),771.
50VisitealSS.SacramentoeaMariaSantissima,Introduction:OpereAscetiche,
Avellino,2000,295.
51No.857.

52Ibid.

53Ibid.

54Cf.CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith,LetterSacerdotiumMinisteriale(6
August1983),III.2:AAS75(1983),1005.
55SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumen
Gentium,10.
56Ibid.

57Cf.InstitutioGeneralis:Editiotypicatertia,No.147.

58Cf.DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentium,10and28Decreeon
theMinistryandLifeofPriestsPresbyterorumOrdinis,2.
59TheministerofthealtaractsinthepersonofChristinasmuchasheishead,
makinganofferinginthenameofallthemembers:PiusXII,EncyclicalLetter
MediatorDei(20November1947):AAS39(1947),556cf.PiusX,Apostolic
ExhortationHaerentAnimo(4August1908):ActaPiiX,IV,16PiusXI,Encyclical
LetterAdCatholiciSacerdotii(20December1935):AAS28(1936),20.

60ApostolicLetterDominicaeCenae(24February1980),8:AAS72(1980),128
129.
61CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith,LetterSacerdotiumMinisteriale(6
August1983),III.4:AAS75(1983),1006cf.FourthLateranEcumenicalCouncil,
Chapter1,ConstitutionontheCatholicFaithFirmiterCredimus:DS802.
62SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DecreeonEcumenismUnitatis
Redintegratio,22.

63ApostolicLetterDominicaeCenae(24February1980),2:AAS72(1980),115.

64DecreeontheLifeandMinistryofPriestsPresbyterorumOrdinis,14.

65Ibid.,13cf.CodeofCanonLaw,Canon904CodeofCanonsoftheEastern
Churches,Canon378.

66DecreeontheMinistryandLifeofPriestsPresbyterorumOrdinis,6.

67Cf.FinalReport,II.C.1:L'OsservatoreRomano,10December1985,7.

68SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumen
Gentium,26.
69NicolasCabasilas,LifeinChrist,IV,10:SCh355,270.

70CaminodePerfeccin,Chapter35.
 CaminodePerfeccin,Chapter35.
71Cf.CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith,LettertotheBishopsofthe
CatholicChurchonSomeAspectsoftheChurchUnderstoodasCommunion
CommunionisNotio(28May1992),4:AAS85(1993),839840.
72Cf.SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurch
LumenGentium,14.
73HomiliaeinIsaiam,6,3:PG56,139.

74No.1385cf.CodeofCanonLaw,Canon916CodeofCanonsoftheEastern
Churches,Canon711.
75AddresstotheMembersoftheSacredApostolicPenitentiaryandthe
PenitentiariesofthePatriarchalBasilicasofRome(30January1981):AAS73
(1981),203.Cf.EcumenicalCouncilofTrent,Sess.XIII,Decretumdess.
Eucharistia,Chapter7andCanon11:DS1647,1661.
76Canon915CodeofCanonsoftheEasternChurches,Canon712.

77DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentium,14.

78SaintThomasAquinas,SummaTheologiae,III,q.73,a.3c.

79CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith,LettertotheBishopsoftheCatholic
ChurchonSomeAspectsoftheChurchUnderstoodasCommunionCommunionis
Notio(28May1992),11:AAS85(1993),844.

80Cf.SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurch
LumenGentium,23.

81AdSmyrnaeos,8:PG5,713.

82SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumen
Gentium,23.

83CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith,LettertotheBishopsoftheCatholic
ChurchonSomeAspectsoftheChurchUnderstoodasCommunionCommunionis
Notio(28May1992),14:AAS85(1993),847.
84Sermo272:PL38,1247.

85Ibid.,1248.

86Cf.Nos.3151:AAS90(1998),731746.

87Cf.ibid.,Nos.4849:AAS90(1998),744.

88No.36:AAS93(2001),291292.

89Cf.DecreeonEcumenismUnitatisRedintegratio,1.

90Cf.DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentium,11.
 Cf.DogmaticConstitutionontheChurchLumenGentium,11.
91Joinallofus,whosharetheonebreadandtheonecup,tooneanotherinthe
communionoftheoneHolySpirit:AnaphoraoftheLiturgyofSaintBasil.
92Cf.CodeofCanonLaw,Canon908CodeofCanonsoftheEasternChurches,
Canon702PontificalCouncilforthePromotionofChristianUnity,Ecumenical
Directory,25March1993,122125,129131:AAS85(1993),10861089
CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith,LetterAdExsequendam,18May2001:
AAS93(2001),786.
93Divinelawforbidsanycommonworshipwhichwoulddamagetheunityofthe
Church,orinvolveformalacceptanceoffalsehoodorthedangerofdeviationinthe
faith,ofscandal,orofindifferentism:DecreeontheEasternCatholicChurches
OrientaliumEcclesiarum,26.
94No.45:AAS87(1995),948.

95DecreeontheEasternCatholicChurchesOrientaliumEcclesiarum,27.

96Cf.CodeofCanonLaw,Canon84434CodeofCanonsoftheEastern
Churches,Canon67134.
97No.46:AAS87(1995),948.

98Cf.SecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil,DecreeonEcumenismUnitatis
Redintegratio,22.
99CodeofCanonLaw,Canon844CodeofCanonsoftheEasternChurches,Canon
671.
100Cf.AAS91(1999),11551172.

101No.22:AAS92(2000),485.

102Cf.No.21:AAS95(2003),20.

103No.29:AAS93(2001),285.

104SaintThomasAquinas,SummaTheologiae,III,q.83,a.4c.

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