AAS 70 [1978] - El Vaticano

Acta Pauli Pp. VI 423
The Eucharist is our source of hope because it is our pledge of life.
Jesus himself has said : "I am the bread of life ... If anyone eats this
bread he shall live f ore ver ". 17
Amidst ali the problems of the modern
world let us remain constant in this hope. Our optimism is based,
not on an unrealistic denial of the immense and manifest difficulties
and opposition that beset the Kingdom of God, but in a realization that
in the Eucharist the Pascha! Mystery of the Lord Jesus is forever
operative, and victorious over sin and death.
We thank you, Venerable Brethren, for your generous commitment
to the Gospel, and for all your labors on its behalf ; and we ask you to
go forward in the power of Christ, the Supreme Shepherd of the Church.
We exhort you to be strong in proclaiming the mystery of life in Christ,
and in leading your people to the source of this life, the Eucharist.
We pray that you, in turn, will encourage the faithful in their Eucha­
ristie vocation. We ask especially that all our sons in the priesthood be
sustained and supported in their inestimable role of building up God's
people through the Eucharist. In ali sectors of the Church we pray
that there will be a new era of Eucharistie piety, generating confidence
and fraternal love, and producing justice and holiness of life.
With thèse sentiments, Brothers, we invoke upon ali of you the wisdom
and fortitude of Peter and Paul and the other Apostles; and we com-
mend your ministry to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of the
Church and patroness of your belo ved country.
In the name of Jesus we bless you ali, and through you we send
our Apostolic Blessing to " those who love us in the faith. Grace be
with you ali ! " 18
V
Ad Exc.mum Virum Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, Gambiae Praesidem,
coram admissum.*
Mr President,
It is a pleasure for us to receive Your Excellency today, following
your visit to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization,
in your capacity as Chairman of the Heads of State Conference of the
17
18
Jn 6 -AS, 51.
Tit 3:15-16.
* Die 15 in. iunii a. 1978.