Celebrating the Eucharistic heart of our faith
Wednesday 18th September 2024Hundreds of people from across England and Wales gathered together last weekend for a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist.
On Saturday 14th September, Adoremus – the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress – took place at Oscott College, with representatives from dioceses across England and Wales coming together for a day of prayer and reflection.
Representatives from parishes across our diocese headed to the congress, which included Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and talks from a number of keynote speakers.
Throughout the talks, delegates were invited to spend time reflecting on the importance of being close to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and the power the Eucharist in inspiring and driving each and every act of life and mission of the Church.
Sacrifice
The congress welcomed Bishop Alan McGuckian, SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor, as our first guest speaker, who highlighted the crucial role the laity play in the celebration of the Mass, particularly in offering a sacrifice.
Bishop McGuckian explored more about the ancient origins of sacrifice, reminding us that sacrifice was not something associated with deprivation or reluctance, but were “occasions of the greatest joy, festivity, and thanksgiving” – an offering each of us is invited to take part in during the Mass.
He said: “Each time we attend Mass, we are called to bring our own lives – our joys, sorrows, successes and failures – and lay them on the altar under the symbols of bread and wine.
“We are not passive observers; we are active participants in an act of Sacrifice. Our sacrifice, which we celebrate weekly, daily, is taken up into the One Eternal Sacrifice of Jesus.”
“Hold on to the Lamb”
This focus on sacrifice is one explored further in the homily from Cardinal Nichols, who drew our attention to that moment in the Mass where Jesus is once again lifted up before us, “giving himself entirely in his selfless, timeless, redeeming sacrifice.”
The Cardinal invited us to consider the all-familiar words “Behold the Lamb of God!” – an invitation to behold Jesus in this great act of sacrifice.
Cardinal Nichols said: “Here, every act of loving kindness, of sacrificial giving – whether that of a tired parent, a dear friend, a harassed nurse, an emergency worker, school teacher to name but a few – finds its utter fulfilment. Here, every personal, loving sacrifice becomes enfolded into the work of our salvation.”
Encouraging us to take this one step further, Cardinal Nichols invited us to not only “Behold the Lamb” but “Hold the Lamb” – reminding us that the Eucharist is the most beautiful gift of Jesus himself, entrusted into our hands and our hearts.
In this way, the Cardinal explained, we trust in the presence of Jesus himself, accompanying us on every step of our path of discipleship, “never leaving us alone, always within our reach, always there before us, most especially in the Eucharist, in this most Blessed Sacrament.”
As his homily drew to a close, Cardinal Nichols shared with us one lasting piece of advice: “Behold the Lamb of God!’; ‘Take hold of the Lamb of God!’; ‘Hold onto the Lamb of God’, cling to him with all your might!
“This is our honour and joy. This is our Eucharistic heart. This is the faith of the Church and we are proud to profess it.”
“Give them something to eat”
Following a Eucharistic Procession through the grounds of Oscott College, the day drew to its conclusion with a short presentation from Mgr John Armitage, who spoke about the work of the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom.
Drawing on the Cardinal’s words, Mgr John highlighted the power of “clinging” on to the Lord through the Blessed Sacrament – His Body – by reflecting on the story of the woman cured from haemorrhage through her unshakeable faith that “if I just touch his garments, I will get well.”
Using this idea of unshakeable faith, Mgr Armitage drew our attention to another Gospel passage – the Feeding of the Five Thousand – where Jesus instructed his disciples to “give them something to eat.”
In this Gospel, Jesus teaches us that – despite our doubts or fears – by staying close to him, by clinging to his words with unshakeable faith, he will work through us in wonderful ways; taking and transforming what meagre offerings we bring to him, nurturing our spirit of evangelisation and renewing the life and mission of the Church today.
We would like to thank everyone who represented our diocese at the Congress this weekend. If you would like to read more about Adoremus 2024, please visit the website for the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.
Tagged | Bishops Conference of England and Wales | Catholic Church
