Pope Francis sends blessings to Rwanda’s Eucharistic Congress

By Francesca Merlo

In a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis encouraged the work of participants in the Second National Eucharistic Congress, held in Rwanda from December 4 to 8.

In the message addressed to Mgr. Vincent Harolimana, Bishop of Ruhengeri and delegate of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda (CEPR) for the Eucharistic Congresses, the Pope joins in the “joy” and “thanksgiving” of all faithful Christians of this African country. .

The theme of the conference, “Let us fix our gaze on Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist: source of hope, fraternity and peace”, was an opportunity to reflect on communion as “the center of all Christian life”. and a tangible sign of “Christ’s love for humanity,” he said.

According to Pope Francis, experiencing this “encourages us to give ourselves to others”, to work together “to build a civilization of love”.

He described the Eucharist as a means to become missionaries of fraternity and tangible signs of hope. He noted that it is also a call to recognize our responsibility for the different “hungers” that humanity faces, including our “thirst for meaning.”

In preparation for the Jubilee and the 125th anniversary of the evangelization of Rwanda, the Pope encouraged the faithful to return to “Christ, the bread of life”, calling on them to show solidarity with “every person in a situation of vulnerability”.

“We must be tangible signs of hope,” the Pope stressed, echoing the message of the Bull of Indiction for the Holy Year: Non-confidential spes.

The Eucharist, Pope Francis concluded, calls for a shared responsibility for the physical and spiritual needs of humanity, fostering a hope “in the Triune God.”

Its nature is “essentially relational,” he said, adding that the Eucharist invites people to live “in community” rather than “in isolation.”

Together, he said, Catholics are called to break down barriers “of race, language or cultural tradition.”