‘Much remains to be done on the path of liturgical renewal’
DEAR brothers and sisters, with great affection in the Lord, I greet all of you who have gathered in Dublin for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, especially Cardinal Brady, Archbishop Martin, the clergy, religious, and faithful of Ireland, and all of you who have come from afar to support the Irish Church with your presence and prayers. The theme of the congress — communion with Christ and with one another — leads us to reflect upon the Church as a mystery of fellowship with the Lord and with all the members of his body.
From the earliest times, the notion of koinonia or communio has been at the core of the Church’s understanding of herself, her relationship to Christ her founder, and the sacraments she celebrates, above all the eucharist. Through our baptism, we are incorporated into Christ’s death, reborn into the great family of the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ; through Confirmation we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit; and by our sharing in the eucharist, we come into communion with Christ and each other visibly here on Earth. We also receive the pledge of eternal life to come. The congress also occurs at a time when the Church throughout the world is preparing to celebrate the Year of Faith to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the Second Vatican Council, an event which launched the most extensive renewal of the Roman rite ever known.
