Daniel del Castillo González
In a new catechesis dedicated to the documents of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium and its teaching on the meaning of the Eucharist in Christian life.
Drawing on the teachings of Saint Augustine and the Church’s tradition, the Pontiff emphasized that the Eucharistic celebration not only nourishes the faith of believers, but also transforms them into the Body of Christ and calls them to live in communion with God and with one another.
FULL CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:
TIMECODE: 56:20-5:38
Dear brothers and sisters, as we continue our series of catecheses on the Second Vatican Council, let us consider the celebration of the Eucharist as presented by the Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. This sacred mystery is described in the second chapter of the document as “a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, ‘a paschal banquet in which Christ is received, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us’” (n. 47). The Constitution also emphasises that at Mass, the faithful are not passive spectators. Rather, all are encouraged to offer themselves in union with Jesus Christ, the spotless victim, to the Father, through the hands of the priest and together with him. Participation in the Eucharistic sacrifice also means being formed by God’s word and nourished at the table of the Lord’s body. Indeed, these two parts of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharistic Liturgy, “are so closely connected with each other that they form but one single act of worship” (n. 56). Brothers and sisters, as we seek our nourishment from this abundant source of divine life, let us allow ourselves to be transformed by the mystery we celebrate.
I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly the groups from England, Sweden, Malawi, Tanzania, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Canada and the United States of America. Upon all of you and your families, I invoke the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!
