Pope's message to Malta

Pope Benedict XVI yesterday urged the Maltese people to sustain and strengthen their awe of the mystery of the Eucharist, "this bread from heaven that grants eternal life to those who receive it".

His Holiness appealed to the people to renew their devotion towards the Eucharist and thereby imbibe from the stream of graces that emanates from the sacramental life of the Church.

In a message to Archbishop Joseph Mercieca on the occasion of the conclusion of the Eucharistic Congress held at the Granaries in Floriana, yesterday, the Pope saluted the bishops, priests, members of the religious orders and lay people who took part in the congress.

Adding a Maltese touch to his message by inserting the salutation Mahbubin uliedi, il-paci maghkom - My beloved children, peace be with you - Pope Benedict extended his best wishes to the representatives of the civil authorities who were present in Floriana and to all the Maltese people.

"Ave verum corpus. We salute the true body of Christ. These words are from an ancient antiphon that recalled that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

"Truly, he gives us his body in the form of bread to eat, the bread that is full of all sweetness. You have chosen to reflect on the importance of the royal presence of Christ in the Eucharist as a source of life for the Church.

"The Son of God gives himself to us as food from heaven, and in this way, he gives us the strength for our journey."

Continuing, the Pope said that the conclusion of the congress was being held on the same day as the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, when the Church celebrates the mystery of Christ's love.

In the water and blood that came out of the wound that Christ suffered while on the cross, the Church sees a sign of the love that emanates from the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist.

While extending his apostolic blessing, the Pope asked for the motherly intercession of "Mary, the woman of the Eucharist".

In his reply, Archbishop Mercieca wrote that all those who took part in the celebration of the Eucharist accept with joy and thank the Pope for his message.

While they (the people gathered at the Granaries) renew their belief in the mystery of the Eucharist, they promise to maintain their allegiance to the successor of St Peter as worthy children of the apostle Paul, Mgr Mercieca added.

Among the sizeable congregation at the Granaries were President Eddie Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami, and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Mrs Gonzi.

The congress, which included animated prayer sessions and art exhibitions about the Holy Eucharist, started last Sunday.

In his homily, the Archbishop said Maltese Catholic were being influenced by a wave of moral relativism that went against the "message of the Holy Eucharist".

Mgr Mercieca said that until a few years ago, most Maltese proudly pronounced themselves fervent Catholics for whom Christ was the only role model. "We often find models that strengthen religious indifference, relativism, secularism and consumerism," Mgr Mercieca said.

The Archbishop said some people were even spreading the idea, already popular in other countries, that persons of the same sex could live together as if united in marriage.

"This goes against human nature and against God's will," he said.

Relativism, whereby people acted according to their feelings in particular circumstances, instead of following the teaching of the truth, was taking root in Maltese society.

"There are people who think that Christ's teachings are difficult to follow nowadays more than even before," Mgr Mercieca said, explaining how the Eucharist encouraged Christians to nurture their faith.

The Archbishop encouraged parents to take children to Mass, especially on Sundays. He said the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday was not an imposition but an occasion when Catholics could eat the bread of life, necessary for the life of a Christian.