VATICAN CITY, OCT. 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Despite increased popularity in Eucharistic adoration, the West still has a ways to go in rediscovering the sacredness of the liturgy, says the archbishop of Quebec.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, president of the Synod of Bishops’ commission for writing the final message, made these and other comments in an interview with Inside the Vatican, in which he assessed the synod on the Eucharist.
«My feeling at this point, and we are close to the end, is that the synod has been successful,» he said.
The cardinal said a key to its success has been the presence of the Pope: «His personal interventions have really given a sort of rhythm or a depth to our synod. He has been very attentive, very receptive and respectful, of great cordiality.
«He is a man who has a deep conviction and security in his doctrine, so he can listen very much and very carefully to any other position because he doesn’t fear to be shaken up in his own convictions because he has also the charism of Peter, the gift of the Holy Spirit, to support his brother bishops in the faith.»
Another key aspect, according to Cardinal Oulett, was the participation of the Eastern Churches.
There is «something very enriching was the experience of the Eastern Churches,» he said. «They have different liturgies and they have a different sense of the liturgy and so to hear them speak about the holy Eucharist was very defining for us.»
Eastern faith
«The Eastern Christians exploit the architecture of their churches to be respectful of the Church herself and of the holy Eucharist, which is the heart of the temple,» said Cardinal Ouellet, 61. «They have a deep sense of the sacredness, and so to hear them speak about the holy Eucharist was very edifying for me.»
«In the West,» he continued, «we need to recover the sacredness of the liturgy.»
On the positive side, he said: «Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is awakening and developing all over the world, and this will help to restore the sacredness of the liturgical celebration of the Mass.»
Cardinal Ouellet said «the renewal of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament … is a sign of the times, and a great sign of encouragement.»
«At the same time,» he continued, «I think that the synod has a message of encouragement for the priest. They are in many parts of the world asked to cover long distances and celebrate many Masses on Sundays, so it is a hard job.
«They need encouragement; they need to be sustained by the people of God, by their prayer and sacrifices.»
Quebec City, 2008
The city of Quebec will host the 48th International Eucharistic Congress from June 15-22, 2008, which will be «a great opportunity for the new evangelization in North America, Canada and the United States in particular,» said Cardinal Ouellet.
The theme for the event, chosen and approved by Benedict XVI, is «The Eucharist: Gift of God for the Life of the World.»
According to the cardinal, «It is an occasion to follow-up on the Synod on the Eucharist, and to rekindle the flame of the Catholic faith in our country where in the past there was a deep unity between the culture and the faith.
«This has been strongly challenged nowadays and we need to rebuild a positive link with the culture and generate a new Catholic culture.»
«The Eucharistic Congress implies a long preparation, many catecheses over a couple of years, in the whole country,» said the cardinal, «so we are preparing material for that.
«We need to stress the vertical gift of God,» he said, «the Holy Eucharist, and at the same time this gift is bringing life to the world.
«We need to recapture and develop a culture of life in our country, and so we think the congress will be a great contribution to this.»
He added: «I pray everyday that Benedict XVI will be able to attend, as well.»
