SA国际传媒

By Christopher Wells

On Wednesday, 1 April, the Bishop of Río Gallegos, Bishop Jorge García Cuerva, presided over a Eucharistic celebration in commemoration of the 500^th anniversary of the first Mass celebrated on Argentinian soil.

The Liturgy was originally scheduled to take place in Puerto San Julián, where the first Mass in Argentina was celebrated in 1520. However, in view of restrictions imposed on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bishop García Cuerva celebrated the anniversary Mass in the Bishop鈥檚 chapel in Rio Gallegos, without the presence of the faithful.

Jesus accompanies Argentina in Eucharist

In his message for the Anniversary, Pope Francis recognized the pain felt by the people at not being able to celebrate the event as they had intended. 鈥淲e are like the disciples of Emmaus鈥�, he wrote, 鈥渨alking with 鈥榓 sad face鈥� because of what is happening, uneasy about how it will develop and worried about the consequences it will leave鈥�. But, he continued, like the disciples, we can say to Jesus, 鈥淪tay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent鈥�. The hidden presence of Jesus in the Eucharist has accompanied Argentina for five hundred years, the Pope said. 鈥淗e is in our midst, accompanying our journey鈥�.

Living the words of Jesus

Pope Francis said that in these days it is 鈥渆ssential that we are able to remember and learn this Eucharistic sense that only the Lord can teach us鈥�. The Lord鈥檚 words, 鈥淒o this in memory of me鈥�, 鈥渃ontinue to resound in the various towns, parishes, chapels, hospitals, schools, houses, cities, and neighbourhoods鈥�, the Pope said. It is an opportunity to ensure that everyone has food to eat, 鈥渢hat no one is left by the wayside鈥�. 鈥溾�楧o this in memory of me鈥� means allowing oneself to be taken, blessed, and given as bread broken and shared for the life of the world鈥�, said Pope Francis, taking up the words of St John Paul II.

In his letter to Bishop García Cuerva, Pope Francis said, 鈥淒ear brother, although you will be physically celebrating alone, your people, our Argentinian people, will be accompanying you鈥�. And, he added, 鈥淚 am also joining you from here [in Rome], as a son and a part of this People of God who gives thanks and celebrates the Lord鈥檚 faithfulness鈥�.