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Bishop Mulvey: 'the Eucharist calls us to action'
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August 8, 2022
My brothers and sisters,
Our Eucharistic celebrations last month were a great success and triumph in celebrating the Lord’s promise: “I am with you always…” I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who assisted in the organization and execution of the events and for being a part of this very special moment in the life of our diocese. It proved to be a celebration that was filled with many blessings.
Several significant events preceded the Eucharistic Congress including a day of prayer culminating with the Corpus Christi procession through the streets of the city. Additionally, the ordination of two new priests, Fathers Carlos De La Rosa and Charles Silvas, provided a special solemnity to the event.
The presence of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, and Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, was a true sign of the universality of the Church.
As representative of the Holy Father Pope Francis, Archbishop Pierre began the Congress by celebrating the opening Mass in the Cathedral on Friday night. On Saturday, his Excellency was the keynote speaker at the Eucharistic Congress. Archbishop Pierre’s address entitled “Do Whatever He Tells You,” highlighted the intimate relationship between the Eucharist and Mary. Mary’s familiar words to the servants at the Wedding in Cana in Galilee was her intercession to Jesus amidst a crisis.
Recalling the miracle of Jesus in response to her intercession, Archbishop Pierre had six empty stone jars arranged on stage beside him to represent our present-day crises and spoke of how Jesus intercedes to “fill the jars of human need.”
The jars symbolized six areas of emptiness living in people today. These six needs were described as the areas in which we lack fulfillment, or areas of crisis in our lives. The lack of festivity, the lack of giving, the lack of memory, the lack of prophecy, the lack of beauty, and the lack of silence all create longing in our hearts. We must remember the words of Jesus, “Fill the jars.”
The young people at the Eucharistic Congress heeded that call to fill the emptiness in the lives of those close to them. This group went to the nearby Mother Theresa Shelter and offered their time and service the help those in need. This vividly highlighted how the Eucharist calls us to action in the service of others. Their spirit of charity also reminds us that a celebration that does not evangelize is not authentic.
The Eucharistic Congress was both a celebration and an opportunity. Its celebration of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist resonated in a distinct way with everyone who attended. It was also an opportunity for us to deepen our communion with Christ and with one another.
Going forward, the Eucharistic Congress in the Diocese of Corpus Christi sets the stage for prayer, liturgy, and service on a grander scale when the National Eucharistic Congress takes place in Indianapolis in 2024. I pray that more people will experience a deeper understanding and love of the Eucharist as it calls us to fill the emptiness in the lives of everyone we encounter.
May God continue to bless you,
Bishop Michael Mulvey