The Year of the Eucharist

ways to observe, ways to prepare

by Ann Przybilla, director

Office of Worship

The 48th International Eucharistic Congress in Mexico’s second-largest city drew huge crowds of Catholics from all over the world, and made Mexico the center of the Catholic universe for seven days, October 10-17, 2004.

This past June Pope John Paul II announced that this Congress would mark the start of the Eucharistic Year for Catholics. First held in 1881 in France, the Eucharistic Congress celebrates the Catholic belief that Christ gave his life for humanity. The 47th Congress was held in Rome in 2000.

Seven conclusions came from the Congress which also serves as recommendations on how to live the Year of the Eucharist:

1. Emphasize the importance of Sunday Mass.

2. Emphasize the feast and procession of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ).

3. Adore our Lord in Eucharistic adoration in all its forms must be revalued, including nocturnal adoration.

4. Emphasize the importance of frequent and worthy Communion, coupled with the sacrament of reconciliation.

5. Encourage the spirit of mission, which stems from the Eucharist.

6. Share one’s table and Mass with the poor, in the service of charity. Combine spiritual commitment with the need of the poor.

7. Renew faith, sacrifice, communion and service in the Eucharist, as a sign for the Catholic Church and the world.

During this Year of the Eucharist, let us take a look at the importance of Sunday Mass. Ask if we are open to this wonderful Gift. Do we bring ourselves to the Gift? Do we encourage others to come and be refreshed by the Word?

Fr. Richard Fragomini wrote a book titled Come to the Feast (published by Continuum Publishing Company) which captures the heart of Eucharistic transformation as gift. He says this about Sunday Mass and how the presence of Christ is found in the Word as well as in the Eucharist: “The first thing we do on Sunday is hear this Word. What Word? The same story, over and over, of the gift of God to us. It’s the story of our God whose nature is gift from beginning to end.”

The liturgy of the Word is like grand opera. It’s the same story every time. In opera, this one falls in love, it’s unrequited, she shoots him, and kills herself in a suitably dramatic way. Same story every time. Why do we keep going? To feel the depth of the story.

So, week after week, the readings that gather us at the Sunday celebration are there to offer us a vision of God’s world. The readings throw out balls - symbols. Actually, the word symbol comes from the Greek word meaning “to throw together.” Some balls we catch, others we miss for a while, at least. But when you catch one in your heart, you’re “it”. You’re changed forever (pp. 35-37).

This year, November 28 was the beginning of Advent and a new liturgical year. Perhaps we can make a “resolution” to ourselves. If we have drifted away from the weekly celebration of hearing God’s Word in the Sunday Mass, consider making this Advent season a time to renew your commitment to weekly attendance. It may prove to be a rewarding way to prepare ourselves for the Gift of Christmas.