Unity in the Liturgy

The Connect: Uniting Generations & Blending Traditions Conference in dedicated to building up unity within the Church, beginning with the family. As the weeks progress, we will be offering a weekly reflection to help our participants spiritually prepare for the conference.

What a better way to begin fostering that unity than to begin with a focus on the Liturgy and the Eucharist, the highest form of prayer and our unitive source?

In Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, paragraph 48 states that "The Church, ...earnestly desires that Christ's faithful, ...through a good understanding of the rites and prayers...should take part in the sacred service conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full involvement. They should be instructed by God's word and be nourished at the table of the Lord's body..., [and] should learn to offer themselves as well. They should be formed day by day into an ever more perfect unity with God and with each other, so that finally God may be all in all."

Since the Eucharist in the "source and summit of our faith" (CCC 1324) and is the "efficacious sign and sublime cause of...[the] unity of the People of God" (CCC 1325), we should find in ourselves a greater longing for a more thorough participation in that which is our source. Jesus said, "and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32) When we aim to participate in a greater way in the Mass we find ourselves drawn closer to Jesus, when He is lifted up, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity at the moment of Consecration. Then, not only will we find a greater intimacy with Christ in the Eucharist, but we will begin to see greater unity in the world around us. 

Let us pray for the grace to grow in our love for the Liturgy and for an increase in our love for Jesus' Eucharistic presence in our lives!

Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! 


Written by: Alycia, Special Events Coordinator for the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm