53rd International Eucharistic Congress: “Fraternity Heals the World”

The 53rd International Eucharistic Congress was held in Quito, Ecuador from September 8 to 15, with the theme of “Fraternity Heals the World”. Pope Francis delivered a video message to the Congress, emphasizing that only through deep communion with the Eucharist can we resist evil and build a more just and humane world.

One Body, One Bread

The Pope began by saying: “What we learn from the Most Holy Eucharist is always amazing. We can quote the words of the Psalm: ‘If I could count to the end, I am still with you’ (cf. Ps 139:18), You are present in the tabernacle.”

The Pope explained: “The early Fathers of the Church have told us that the symbol of the bread has ignited the desire for brotherhood in the people of God, because just as a grain of wheat cannot be kneaded alone into dough, so too we must all work together, For “although we are many, we are one body and one bread” (cf. Homilies of St. Augustine 227). In this way we grow as brothers and together in the Church, united by the water of baptism, and purified by the fire of the Holy Spirit (cf. ibid.). It is a profound brotherhood that arises from union with God, being ground like wheat to become bread and the members of Christ. This full form participates in the Eucharist and in the assembly of the Saints (cf. St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Romans 4:1).

Sister Angela’s Example

The Pope then mentioned a remarkable example of brotherhood, the German nun Angela Autsh who died in the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Pope said: “Before she was arrested, the evil in the world had begun to approach, and she invited those younger people who had received Holy Communion for the first time, those relatives who were a little far away from the faith, and those who were still devout, through some simple to resist this evil by taking Communion as close as possible to the altar, even in certain dangerous circumstances.”

Serve and Heal the World

Therefore, the Pope encouraged: “If one member suffers, the whole body suffers with it, just like Jesus who takes up the suffering of the world with the aim of healing it.” the Pope emphasized that through the Eucharist “ We can regain this deep brotherhood with God and with each other, and only in this communion can we serve the world and heal it.”

Source: Vatican News