Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am delighted to welcome you to the Eucharistic Congress. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy we joyfully gather as the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte to celebrate our faith and our love for the Eucharistic Lord. The Eucharist brings us together as one body in Christ.
The theme of our congress this year echoes the Jubilee Year of Mercy: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). These are words spoken by Jesus, in which He tells His disciples to practice mercy toward others. The practice of mercy demonstrates that we are children of the heavenly Father, who is merciful to all.
It is in the Holy Eucharist that Jesus demonstrates His mercy in an exceptional way. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass makes present the sacrifice of the cross, the event through which Jesus in His great mercy saved us. In Holy Communion we are nourished on the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our merciful Lord Jesus Christ. He brings us the mercy of our heavenly Father. Jesus is the incarnation of the Father’s mercy.
The love of Christ which we celebrate in the Eucharist must move us to works of mercy toward our brothers and sisters. Jesus mercifully feeds us and nourishes us, and we in turn must mercifully nourish others through our works of mercy.
In a spirit of joy and gratitude let us celebrate the Eucharistic Congress. The congress is a great blessing for our diocese. May the congress help us to grow in holiness, and assist us in reflecting the mercy of Almighty God in our daily lives.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis
Bishop of Charlotte