The Prince of Peace on Earth

BISHOP BILL MUHM IS THE FIRST BISHOP WALKING IN THE PROCESSION AT THE CLOSING MASS OF THE INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN BUDAPEST ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2021. THE HOLY FATHER WAS PRINCIPAL CELEBRANT. HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE IN THE FRONT ROW OF THE CONGREGATION.

BY BISHOP BILL MUHM

At Christmas, we celebrate the Prince of Peace becoming flesh as a member of the human race. As Catholics, we believe that the Prince of Peace was born at Bethlehem, died, resurrected, and ascended into heaven and that He still lives on earth in the Holy Eucharist. Moreover, we believe that He will continue His Eucharistic presence on earth until His glorious second coming.

Too many of our deployed service members do not have regular access to Mass and the Holy Eucharist, because of a critical shortage of priests in uniform. As a result, AMS Catholics especially love and pray for the Eucharistic presence of the Prince of Peace. At every Mass celebrated

within AMS, the priest and people pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life and that more priests will serve in the military services to make the Holy Eucharist present to our people.

I was pleased to represent all AMS Catholics of our global archdiocese at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest in September 2021. I participated in catechetical sessions, a candlelight Eucharistic procession through the streets, and the closing Mass with the Holy Father. In an important way, I also represented the U.S. Church because—as far as I know—I was the only U.S. Bishop present. In a way, AMS was “deployed” to Budapest, serving the U.S. Church in prayer and adoration before the Eucharistic presence of the Prince of Peace. I was honored to serve our AMS family and the U.S. Church in that way.

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L TO R: BISHOP JOHN BOSCO CHANG SHIN-HO, AUXILIARY BISHOP OF DAEGU, KOREA; CARDINAL ANDREW YEOM SOO-JUNG, ARCHBISHOP-EMERITUS OF SEOUL; AND BISHOP BILL MUHM, AMS VICAR FOR EUROPE AND ASIA.

PRINCE OF PEACE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Later in the Fall, I was able to visit our Catholic communities in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Korea, Guam, and Japan. I plan to celebrate Christmas at Yokosuka Naval Base and the Feast of the Holy Family at Yokota Air Base. Continued Covid rules made the travel challenging, but the grace of Our Lord in His Eucharistic presence carried me along.

Merry Christmas to our SALUTE readers. May the Prince of Peace, who became present on earth at Bethlehem and who continues to become present on earth in the Eucharist every time the Mass is celebrated, bless you with His peace that this world cannot give—and cannot take away. Thank you for your prayers and support for us at AMS. V

BISHOP BILL MUHM ON FRONT STEPS OF HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING, BEFORE OUTDOOR MASS IN KOSSUTH SQUARE IN BUDAPEST. BISHOP BILL MUHM (L) AND FATHER ADRIAN FERNANDES (R) DURING CANDLELIGHT EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION THROUGH BUDAPEST ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2021.