Pope’s prayer intention for April

April 01, 2013 - Here’s a brief comment on the Pope’s general prayer intention for the month of April - that the public, prayerful celebration of faith may give life to the faithful. In 1963, bishops at the Second Vatican Council agreed that “the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the fount from which all her power flows.” They went on to say that the “Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.” The celebration of the Eucharist of Holy Mass is a sacred event that should never be treated casually. But sometimes the so-called ‘active participation’ in common liturgies and prayers is confused with external activity. Active participation in the Eucharist involves more than singing, making the responses, following the appropriate postures, or going up for Holy Communion. Those activities involve our bodies, but if our minds and hearts are not involved, they are dead habits and empty activities. These occasions must be imbued with and instil a personal relationship with Christ that in turn will drive one to appropriate action. Let’s therefore pray with the Holy Father this month so that public celebration of faith may bring one closer to Christ and his will.