Pope John Paul II: Encyclical Letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Part 33

In 2003, on Holy Thursday, 2003. Pope John Paul II issued what would be his final encyclical: Ecclesia de Eucharistia, "On the Eucharist and Its Relationship to the Church." This encyclical contains much to prayerfully ponder/meditate on. The encyclical's Chapter Three, The Apostolicity of the Eucharist and of the Church, continues as follows:

"33. When, due to the scarcity of priests, non-ordained members of the faithful are entrusted with a share in the pastoral care of a parish, they should bear in mind that - as the Second Vatican Council teaches - 'no Christian community can be built up unless it has its basis and centre in the celebration of the most Holy Eucharist'.⁶⁶ They have a responsibility, therefore, to keep alive in the community a genuine 'hunger' for the Eucharist, so that no opportunity for the celebration of Mass will ever be missed, also taking advantage of the occasional presence of a priest who is not impeded by Church law from celebrating Mass.

Note

⁶⁶Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests Presbytero- rum Ordinis, 6.