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Benedict XVI Affirms Eucharist's Link to Marriage
"This supreme gesture of love is presented anew in each celebration
of the Eucharist; and it is appropriate for the pastoral care of
families to refer back to this sacramental fact as a reference point
of fundamental importance,"
Pope Benedict XVI stated these words today in Vatican City, Rome
today during his audience with the participants of the plenary assembly
of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers with the theme
"The Emigrant and Itinerant Family."
The Holy Pontiff recalled that during his visit to the US he encouraged
the people to continue their commitment to welcoming those brothers
and sisters who arrive there, usually from poor countries. He even
gave particular highlight on the serious problem of the reunification
of families.
He further stated that the Church's solicitude toward emigrant
families does not diminish her concern for itinerant families. He
also stressed that the families regardless of condition represent
the original cell of society that must not be destroyed but courageously
and patiently defended.
The Pope also acknowledged that the family is the community in
which, from infancy, we are formed to adore and love God, learning
the grammar of human and moral values, and discovering how to make
good use of freedom in truth. Unfortunately, in no small number
of situations this is difficult to achieve, and especially in cases
of people affected by the phenomenon of human mobility.
He affirmed that there is indeed a profound bond between the sacrament
of Eucharist and of marriage. He stated: "The liturgy places
the celebration of the sacrament of marriage at the heart of the
celebration of the Eucharist. [...] In their daily lives, couples
must draw inspiration for their behavior from the example of Christ
who loved the Church and gave himself up for her. This supreme gesture
of love is presented anew in each celebration of the Eucharist;
and it is appropriate for the pastoral care of families to refer
back to this sacramental fact as a reference point of fundamental
importance.
Pope Benedict likewise confirmed that people who go to Mass --
and the celebration of Mass must also be facilitated for migrants
and itinerant people -- find in the Eucharist a powerful allusion
to their own family, their own marriage; and they are encouraged
to live their lives from the point of view of faith, seeking in
divine grace the strength to succeed.
Finally, the Pontiff stressed that human mobility represents, in
today's globalized world, is an important frontier for new evangelization.
He then encouraged the members and consultors of the pontifical
council to continue their pastoral commitment with renewed zeal
within this context.
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“Jesus’
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