The following are some highlights from a circular of Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith in connection with "The Year of the Eucharist" he has proclaimed for the Archdiocese of Colombo (Sri Lanka), starting in August, 2010...
* "[The] Eucharist is Jesus' sacramental self-gift to us. The Church, therefore, draws life from this most wondrous Sacrament and cannot survive without it. For, it is the real and life-giving presence of the Lord and Master within the community of his disciples."
* "The Eucharistic Lord sustains the universal Church, and strengthens it so that it could withstand any evil onslaught from both within and without. This is effected by means of our intimate communion with Him. Each time we receive Him, in a state of grace, He draws us into His act of self-oblation; absorbs us unto Himself, and transforms us into His own likeness. That is the life-giving principle of the most Holy Eucharist."
* "Latin still remains the main liturgical language of the Church. In Sri Lanka we made a mistake in abandoning the language of our worship altogether. Let this Eucharistic Year be an occasion for us to resuscitate this lost tradition at least to some extent. I appeal to all priests, religious and laity to cooperate."
* "In chapter 6 of the Gospel of John Jesus asked the disciples whether they would also leave Him. And it was Peter who answered, and said Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Jesus said this because by that time, after His discourse on the Eucharist many people began to abandon Him. They wanted only miracles, but Jesus wanted to offer Himself as the true bread from heaven. In the present times also people seem to look for miracles, and often only for miracles. When Jesus begins to talk about belief in Himself, people seem to lose interest. They seem to go elsewhere, Let us remember that the Catholic Church is so rich because of the treasure of the Eucharist."
The Archbishop also called for "eliminating all erroneous practices regarding the celebration of the most holy Eucharist" and noted that "the renovation and construction of churches...need[s] to be done according to the guidelines". He also called for "think[ing] seriously about Mass vestments, altar linen, altar vessels and the liturgical vesture for various liturgical ministries. Let the Year of the holy Eucharist be an occasion to improve all such aspects of our celebration."
Further, he affirmed that the Sacraments may be celebrated according to the ancient rites in accordance with Summorum Pontificum and noted that "I myself hope to celebrate a solemn Eucharist in that rite sometime in the near future at the Archdiocesan Cathedral."
Curiously, however, the text also makes reference to "loving mother nature" so that "our Eucharistic spirituality would incorporate also an eco-spirituality." [Huh?]
[Credit: Rorate Caeli Blog]
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