Pope Francis celebrated Corpus Christi Mass at St. John Lateran Sunday evening, before the traditional Eucharistic procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
In his homily, the pope concentrated on the word 'memory.â? He says this allows one to 'dwell in loveâ? despite the frantic lifestyles today.
POPE FRANCIS
'The Eucharist gives us a grateful memory, because it makes us see that we are the Fatherâ??s children, whom he loves and nourishes. It gives us a free memory, because Jesusâ?? love and forgiveness heal the wounds of the past, soothe our remembrance of wrongs experienced and inflicted. It gives us a patient memory, because amid all our troubles we know that the Spirit of Jesus remains in us.â?
He also recalled that just as the Eucharist signifies memory, it also promotes unity amongst people.
POPE FRANCIS
'The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity. Whoever receives it cannot fail to be a builder of unity, because building unity has become part of his or her 'spiritual DNA.â? May this Bread of unity heal our ambition to lord it over others, to greedily hoard things for ourselves, to foment discord and criticism. May it awaken in us the joy of living in love, without rivalry, jealousy or mean-spirited gossip.â?
Directly following the Mass, thousands of people participated in this traditional procession through the streets of Rome. It ended at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where Pope Francis was waiting to bless the crowd.
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