Memorial. Intimacy. Mission. The icon of the Cenacle tells us as much
about the Apostle of the Eucharist’s grasp of the eucharistic mystery
as it does about his love for Mary.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the last of the conciliar
documents to be highlighted in our yearlong series on The Eucharistic
Vision of Vatican II, states: “The liturgy is the summit toward which the
activity of the church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from
which all her power flows. For the aim and object of apostolic works is
that all who are made sons of God by faith and baptism should come
together to praise God in the midst of his church, to take part in the
sacrifice, and to eat the Lord’s Supper” (10).
In this Issue
Gil Ostdiek, OFM, and Susan Wood, SCL, offer different and very rich
perspectives on Sacrosanctum Concilium, promulgated on December
4, 1963. Each is worthy of careful reading and prayerful reflection.
Both authors help us appreciate the central place of the Eucharist in
the life, mission, mysticism, and self-understanding of the church.
The Jubilee Year of Mercy opens on the solemnity of the Immaculate
Conception this year and continues through the solemnity of Our
Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe in 2016. Carmelite Sister Mary
Grace Melcher has accepted our invitation to write two intercessions
and a concluding prayer on the themes of mercy and the Eucharist
for the Sunday and solemnity Universal Prayers this year. These can be
added to those you write and pray. The Pastoral Liturgy column will
return with our next issue.
Cebu in the Philippines will host the 51st International Eucharistic
Congress January 24-31, 2016. Vittore Boccardi, SSS, introduces us to
the history of the IEC movement, the congress theme and program,
and how these gatherings have changed to reflect current pastoral
and social realities.
Anthony Schueller, SSS
Editor
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