My dear parishioners,
Peace! The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the “prayer of the rosary” as a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours in the Western Church (§ 2678). In praying the rosary we “meditate on the mysteries of Christ” engaging our “thought, imagination, emotion, and desire” leading not only to “knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus” but “union with Him” (§ 2708). In fact the rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an “epitome of the whole Gospel” and is also an expression of “devotion to the Virgin Mary” (§ 971). Saint John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (16 October, 2002) proposed that we join to the classic fifteen mysteries contemplating the infancy, passion and resurrection of Christ the Lord, Mysteries of Light which highlight His public life on Earth (RVM, 21). Here we consider the fifth of the Luminous Mysteries, the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.
The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper calls to mind both the Eucharist and Holy Orders.
The Sacred Liturgy celebrates the Institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday of the Easter Triduum each year at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, as well as at every Mass where the words of institution are pronounced by the priest during the consecration: “this is My body… this is My blood…do this in memory of Me.” The “stealth” aspect of this mystery is Holy Orders which is celebrated at each ordination but also at the annual Chrism Mass, which Mother Church envisions on Holy Thursday morning at the Cathedral, but some dioceses transfer to earlier in Holy Week. At the Chrism Mass, Chrism for priestly ordinations and episcopal consecrations and the other Holy Oils are blessed by the Bishop.
In Sacred Scripture we read about the Institution of the Eucharist in Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. Saint John does not record the Institution of the Eucharist but the Lord’s preaching (cf. John 17).
What is the fruit of the Mystery of the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper? Saint John Paul II reminds us that this mystery point to the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery (RVM, 21). “Christ offers His body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine” in the Eucharist (RVM, 21). How devoted to the Eucharist are we? Do we go to Holy Mass each Sunday and other Holy Days? Do we go to daily Mass? Do we adore the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle? In the Monstrance? Do we pray for our preists? Have we encouraged any young men to consider priestly life? Do we exercise the royal priesthood of our Baptism? Two specific fruits of this mystery are to be a Eucharistic and Priestly people for the Lord Jesus our great High Priest who feeds us with His body, blood, soul and divinity in the holy Eucharist.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr