The Papal Objective
Title by Wm. H. Grotheer

(L^'Osservatore Romano, 1, December 2004)

On Sunday, 28, November, in St. Peter's Square before leading the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father reflected on the new liturgical year and this year dedicated to the Eucharist. The following is a translation of the Pope's address, given in Italian:

"Today begins a new liturgical year with the first Sunday of Advent; during this year, we will contemplate with special fervour the face of Christ present in the Eucharist. Jesus, the Incarnate Word who died and has risen, is the centre of history. The Church adores him and grasps in him the ultimate and unifying meaning of all the mysteries of the faith: the love of God that gives life.

"It is in Italy precisely in these days that the preparatory work for the XXLV National Eucharistic Congress, to be held in Bari, Italy, from 21 to 29 May 2005, is starting. The theme of this important ecclesial meeting, which by providential coincidence places more emphasis on the Year of Eucharist, is: 'We cannot live without Sunday.'

"I invite the Italian Ecclesial Community to prepare most carefully for this spiritual appointment, rediscovering 'with new intensity the meaning of Sunday: its 'mystery,' its celebration, its significance for Christian and human life' (Apostolic Letter Dies Domini, n. 31.^" [All emphasis theirs].