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| Dear Parishioners: ENCYCLICAL
LETTER OF POPE JOHN PAUL II From the time I began my ministry as the successor of Peter, I have always marked Holy Thursday, the day of the eucharist and of the priesthood, by sending a letter to all the priests of the world. This year, the 25th of my pontificate, I wish to involve the whole church more fully in this eucharistic reflection, also as a way of thanking the Lord for the gift of the eucharist and the priesthood: "Gift and Mystery." By proclaiming the Year of the Rosary, I wish to put this, my 25th anniversary, under the aegis of the contemplation of Christ at the school of Mary. Consequently, I cannot let this Holy Thursday 2003 pass without halting before the "eucharistic face" of Christ and pointing out with new force the church of the centrality of the eucharist. From it the church draws her life. From this "living bread" she draws her nourishment. How could I not feel the need to urge everyone to experience it ever anew? When I think of the eucharist and look at my life as a priest, as a bishop and as the successor of Peter, I naturally recall the many times and places in which I was able to celebrate it. I remember the parish church of Niegowic, where I had my first pastoral assignment, the collegiate church of St. Florian in Krakow, Wawel Cathedral, St. Peter's Basilica and so many basilicas and churches in Rome and throughout the world. I have been able to celebrate Holy Mass in chapels built along mountain paths, on lakeshores and seacosts; I have celebrated it on altars built in stadiums and in city squares. This varied scenario of celebrations of the eucharist has given me a powerful experience of its universal and, so to speak, cosmic character. Yes, cosmic! Because even when it is celebrated on the humble altar of a country church, the eucharist is always in some way celebrated on the altar of the world. It unites heaven and earth. It embraces and permeates all creations. The Son of God became man in order to restore all creation in one supreme act of praise to the One who made it from nothing. He, the eternal high priest who by the blood of his cross entered the eternal sanctuary, thus gives back to the Creator and Father all creation redeemed. He does so through the priestly ministry of the church, to the glory of the most Holy Trinity. Truly this is the mysterium fidei which is accomplished in the eucharist: The world which came forth from the hands of God the Creator now returns to him redeemed by Christ. |
