John Paul II- on the Blessed Mother |
Mary Leads us to the Eucharist
John Paul II
Message to 19th International Marian Congress Czestochowa,
Poland August 15, 1996.
1. "Hail, Jesus, Son of Mary, in the sacred Host you are the
true God". Joining in spirit with those attending the 19th
International Marian Congress, I recall the words from a hymn
that in Poland often accompanies Eucharistic adoration and
processions. I repeat them because they contain the truth that,
together with praising Christ present in the mystery of the
Eucharist, almost of necessity we recall the memory of the
Mother of God. It is thanks to her generous fiat that the Word
of God was made flesh by the work of the Holy Spirit. She
offered her own body to the Word so that he might take it upon
himself and the miracle of the Divine Incarnation would be
accomplished. In her virginal womb Mary bore the Incarnate Word,
awaiting "with love beyond al1 telling" the birth of the Saviour-as
the liturgy states (Pref. of Advent II).
When she gave birth to the Son of God she was, in a certain
sense, the first to worship his presence among men. Together
with Joseph she took the Divine Child to the temple to offer him
to God according to the prescriptions of the law. Even then,
through the words of Simeon, God had revealed to her that the
sword of sorrow would pierce her heart, when her Son became the
sign of contradiction 'for the fall and rising of many!' (Lk
2:34). This was the announcement of Mary's participation in the
saving work of Christ, Priest and Victim, which was to be
accomplished on Golgotha. "At the foot of the Cross out of love
for your Son, she extended her motherhood to all men, born again
from by the death of Christ for a life that will never end....
Taken up into heavenly glory, with maternal love she accompanies
the Church and protects her on the way to her homeland until the
glorious day of the Lord" (Italian Missal, Pref. of the Blessed
Virgin Mary III)
Every Holy Mass makes present in an unbloody manner that unique
and perfect sacrifice, offered by Christ on the Cross, in which
Mary participated, joined in spirit with her suffering Son,
lovingly consenting to his sacrifice and offering her own sorrow
to the Father (cf. Lumen gentium, n. 58). Therefore when we
celebrate the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ's passover, the
memory of his Mother's suffering is also made alive and present,
this Mother who, as an unsurpassable model, teaches the faithful
to unite themselves more intimately to the sacrifice of her Son,
the one Redeemer. Through spiritual communion with the sorrowful
Mother of God, believers share in a special way in the paschal
mystery and are opened to this extraordinary action of the Holy
Spirit which produces a supernatural joy because of communion
with the glorious Christ, on the example of the joy granted to
Mary in the glory of heaven, as the first person to share in the
fruits of the Redemption.
2. Mary and the Eucharist. The organizers of the 19th
International Marian Congress in Jasna Gora proposed this as a
theme for study and prayer. And it is a correct choice,
especially in view of the International Eucharistic Congress
that will be held next year in Krakow. In this way, just as Mary
is present at the beginning of the mission of the Incarnate
Word, and thereby at the origins of the Eucharist as well, the
Marian Congress this year marks the start of the Church's
spiritual preparation to make the Eucharistic Congress a
fruitful experience. May these days bring you all close to her
who—throughout her life in communion with her Son, not only by
ties of blood but especially by love—is the most perfect Teacher
of that love which enables us to be united in the deepest way
with Christ in the mystery of his Eucharistic presence. Let Mary
lead us to the Eucharist!
I ask all of you who are gathered in Jasna Gora for the Marian
Congress to pray for the intentions of the Church and the world.
As we give thanks for 20 centuries of Mary's protection of the
Church, let us together ask her to lead believers towards an
ever more perfect knowledge of the saving power of the Sacrifice
of Christ, who is present in the Eucharist. Let us pray that the
living experience of communion with Christ may bear fruits of
zeal in the hearts of all Christians as they build up a
communion of love among men. May the Mother of God lead us into
the third millennium, united around the Word of God who was made
flesh in her. I cordially bless you all.
Castel Gandolfo, 15 August 1996.
Return to Main Page: John Paul II on the Blessed Mother>>>
Return to main page
www.piercedhearts.orgThis page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary