Pope Explains "Year of the Eucharist"

[Melody]

Got this from here:

Pope Explains Why He Convoked "Year of the Eucharist"[/size]
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 13, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II said he convoked the "Year of the Eucharist" because the program he presented to the Church at the start of the millennium is based on "starting afresh from Christ."

Noting that many countries were celebrating the solemnity of Corpus Christi today -- it was observed last Thursday in Rome -- the Pope dedicated his traditional greeting to pilgrims to highlight the central character of the Eucharist for Christians.

"The Year of the Eucharist takes place in the framework of the pastoral project that I presented in the apostolic letter 'Novo Millennio Ineunte,' in which I invited the faithful to 'start afresh from Christ,'" he said before praying the Angelus.

"Contemplating more assiduously the countenance of the Incarnate Word, really present in the Sacrament, they will be able to exercise themselves in the art of prayer and commit themselves in that 'high degree' of the Christian life, which is the indispensable condition to develop in an effective manner the new evangelization," the Holy Father continued.

This is why, when celebrating Corpus Christi last Thursday, the Pope convoked the Year of the Eucharist for next October, on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress of Guadalajara, Mexico.

The "year" will end in October 2005 with the ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops, whose theme will be "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church."

"The Eucharist is at the center of the life of the Church. In it, Christ offers himself to the Father for us, making us participants of his sacrifice itself, and he gives himself to us as bread of life for our journey on the paths of the world," the Pontiff said from the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Addressing a crowd of thousands, the Holy Father said that this Year of the Eucharist seeks to "make every community grow in faith and love toward the mystery of the Body and Blood of the Lord."

[Seeker]

Personally, I think this couldn't have come at a better time.  We all need to put a greater emphasis on Christ in our lives and discern whether we are truly doing His will and loving each other as He loved us.  The Eucharist, being Christ truly and really present among us should be the center of this renewal.  This is one example of the wisdom of God's plan for salvation.  He is here ready to nourish us and strengthen us in battle everyday.  What a great and mighty Lord we have in Jesus Christ!

[Rose Mary]

Didn't the Holy Father mention that this would be a Year of The Eucharist in union with Our Lady...  ?   This reminds me of St.John Bosco's Dream..  There was the Bargue of Peter... with The Pope at the helm... in rough seas... and there were many smaller ships... shooting and attacking the large ship.  The Pope was struck and fell dead at the helm.   Almost immediately a new Pope took over the steering and despite the waves and the gunfire from the other ships... he was able to steer the Bargue of Peter between the two columns... a very large one with a HOST on the top...and another smaller one with OUR LADY on the top.  Once The Pope got the Bargue of Peter between these two columns... it was a SAFE PORT...with CALM SEAS....  This could be the Triumph of The Immaculate Heart and The Sacred Heart that was prophesised at Fatima... in 1917..  Our Lady told the three children that "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will Triumph.. and there will be Peace"

I believe that Pope John Paul I...was the Pope that died at the helm and that Pope John Paul II... is the Pope that took over the steering of The Church via the pillars of The Rosary Year and The Year of The Eucharist.   I anticipate the Fatima message being fulfilled .... even though as Our Lady said..."It will be late"

Yours for "LIFE"  Rose Mary