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Pope Francis’ message to the National Eucharistic Congress in Madagascar[Antsiranana, 23 – 26 August 2024]
“Once you have met Christ in adoration . . . you can no longer keep him to yourself”
His Excellency Bishop Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina
President of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar
As you gather for your National Eucharistic Congress, which this year coincides with the celebration of the centenary of the “Eucharistic Youth Movement”,
I join you in prayer and fraternal greeting to the Bishops, priests, young people and all the faithful present.
I encourage this initiative, which aims to bring the sons and daughters of your Christian communities back to basics, by helping them to rediscover the meaning of Eucharistic adoration and the desire to spend time with Christ.
It is a process that will help each of you to grow into the Christian you are increasingly called to be.
Your meeting takes on a special significance as we prepare for the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality. May it enable you to rediscover the importance of encounter, of prayer, and of commitment with others and for others, following Jesus in the Eucharist.
Once you have met Christ in adoration, once you have touched him and received him in the Eucharist, you can no longer keep him to yourself but become missionaries of his love to others.
“The Eucharist… impels us to a strong and committed love of neighbor.
For we cannot truly understand or live the meaning of the Eucharist if our hearts are closed to our brothers and sisters, especially closed to those who are poor, suffering, weary or who may have gone astray in life”
At a time when faith in the real presence of the Lord is a great challenge, I invite you, members of the “Eucharistic Youth Movement” which is celebrating its centenary, to help your brothers and sisters to experience Jesus in the Eucharist.
Help them also to make their own lives an offering to God, united to that of Jesus on the altar, so that he may be better known, loved and served.
May this Eucharistic Congress help each one of you to cultivate a sense of charity and solidarity towards everyone, especially towards those in difficulty, for whom the path of life becomes more difficult every day.
There are many “people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness”.
Bring to them the hope of the Lord, be witnesses of his compassion and merciful love.
I wish you a fruitful Congress. I entrust each one of you to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary. May she intercede for you so that you may deepen your relationship with Christ each day.
I impart to you my Blessing and I ask you, please, to continue to pray for me.
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 3 August 2024
FRANCIS
