ARCH B I S HOP
National Eucharistic Revival launches June 19 I BY ARCHBISHOP SALVATORE JOSEPH CORDILEONE
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n his work, “Western Culture: Today and Tomorrow,” Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI masterfully diagnoses the most influential problems that we face in our Western civilization. Yet, not giving over to despair, in the face of such challenges, Benedict offers an alternative vision for tomorrow based on uniquely Christian hope. Remembering Europe not merely as a geopolitical entity but as a project that stretches through time, he recalls the notion that throughout its history Europe was tasked with mission. In other words, at its best, Western civilization was not static, but a project, the striving after an ideal, even a hope. And the hope that it carried forward was a graced vision for what can be achieved through
the proclamation of the Gospel both internally and brought to all corners of our world. As heirs to that civilization, Benedict invites us to recall this heritage which is no less than a mandate to mission. There is hope to be found - if we are to rediscover the missionary zeal by which the West for 2,000 years found life and purpose. But what is that life, that purpose? The Second Vatican Council famously articulates the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life. If that is the case, which as Catholics we firmly believe, then it seems entirely reasonable that a return commitment to our mission would entail a recovery of that which gives us the most life,
JUNE 2022 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
