Category Archives: post-conciliar catechetical documents

Last thoughts from Pope Benedict: 97. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may the Holy Spirit kindle within us the same ardor experienced by the disciples on the way to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35) and renew our “eucharistic … Continue reading →

We lead here with a prayer of intercession: 96. May Mary Most Holy, the Immaculate Virgin, ark of the new and eternal covenant, accompany us on our way to meet the Lord who comes. Why the Blessed Mother? Not just … Continue reading →

In the last paragraph, Pope Benedict mentioned some particular examples from the Communion of Saints. 95. At the beginning of the fourth century, Christian worship was still forbidden by the imperial authorities. Some Christians in North Africa, who felt bound … Continue reading →

CONCLUSION 94. Dear brothers and sisters, the Eucharist is at the root of every form of holiness, and each of us is called to the fullness of life in the Holy Spirit. How many saints have advanced along the way … Continue reading →

Pope Benedict XVI touted The usefulness of a Eucharistic Compendium, but his dream on this was never really emphasized, nor did the subsequent papacy embrace it. To be fair, no large number of bishops moved forward with it either. 93. At … Continue reading →

The sanctification of the world and the protection of creation 92. Finally, to develop a profound eucharistic spirituality that is also capable of significantly affecting the fabric of society, the Christian people, in giving thanks to God through the Eucharist, … Continue reading →

The synod that preceded this document was not concerned with liturgy alone. The Church’s social teaching was well-considered by the meeting’s bishops. We can ask daily for the bread that sustains us, but we have an obligation as well to provide … Continue reading →

The food of truth and human need 90. We cannot remain passive before certain processes of globalization which not infrequently increase the gap between the rich and the poor worldwide. We must denounce those who squander the earth’s riches, provoking … Continue reading →

Let’s continue looking at The social implications of the eucharistic mystery. Don’t look now, but the Church’s social teaching is anchored in the celebration of the Eucharist: The recognition of this fact leads to a determination to transform unjust structures and … Continue reading →

The social implications of the eucharistic mystery 89. The union with Christ brought about by the Eucharist also brings a newness to our social relations: “this sacramental ‘mysticism’ is social in character.” Indeed, “union with Christ is also union with … Continue reading →

We are close to wrapping up this document. Sections 88 through 93 will address different aspects of the final topic, The Eucharist, a mystery to be offered to the world The Eucharist, bread broken for the life of the world … Continue reading →

Pope Benedict’s final theme within the topic of witness, Freedom of worship. For Christians in some parts of the world, this is a very real problem. In the multicultural West, let’s also be clear: it’s not an issue of real persecution. … Continue reading →

This is a theme of the B16 papacy: Christ Jesus, the one Savior. But Jesus is not limited to our expectations of who is saved and how. As God, we can be sure there’s divine operation on levels unseen by and … Continue reading →

Today, the second topic in The Eucharist, a mystery to be proclaimed: The Eucharist and witness. 85. The first and fundamental mission that we receive from the sacred mysteries we celebrate is that of bearing witness by our lives. I think more … Continue reading →

The theme of The Eucharist, a mystery to be proclaimed, will occupy our attention for the next four numbered sections. Today, we begin with The Eucharist and mission. I think it is important for liturgical or “high church” Christians to recall that … Continue reading →