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Ecclesia de Eucharistia

Encyclical Letter on the Eucharist and the Church

John Paul II, Pope

Having a true understanding of the Eucharist today

John Paul II's 14th encyclical offers a deep and personal reflection on the Eucharist. The Eucharist is looked at in its relation to the Church: how it builds up the Church, and how Ecclesial Communion is served by a true understanding of the Eucharist.
The Conclusion is demanding: those who wish to pursue the path of holiness need no new programmes. The programme already exists: it is Christ himself who calls out to be known, loved, imitated and proclaimed. The implementation of this process passes through the Eucharist. This is seen from the witness of the saints, who at every moment of their lives slaked their thirst at the inexhaustible source of this mystery and drew from it the spiritual power needed to live fully their baptismal calling.