Sunday should be center of Christian life, says Peruvian cardinal

Lima, Peru, Jan 16, 2007 / 15:58 pm

During a Mass celebrating the 472nd anniversary of the founding of Peru’s capital, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima, said Sunday should be the center of the Christian life.

“Sunday should be of such importance in our lives that we never miss Mass and the Sunday Eucharist, because it saves us through the Cross, it nourishes us in the Eucharist and resurrects us,” the cardinal said.  “We cannot live without celebrating the mysteries of the Sunday Eucharist,” he added.

Later Cardinal Cipriani underscored “the greatness and wisdom of our Catholic faith,” which has made Sunday, as instituted by Jesus Christ, the central day of the week.  Therefore, he said, “I invite everyone to allow that hope and that joy of going to church to be reborn.”

Amidst the large numbers of faithful gathered at the Cathedral, including many members of Peru’s indigenous communities, Cardinal Cipriani highlighted the importance of maintaining the faith by preserving religious traditions.

“Many times we lose sight of the traditions passed on to us by our parents and grandparents, such as praying, going to church, going to confession, praying the rosary, offering up our sacrifices out of devotion to Mary and Jesus.  And little by little, other things that are not part of the Catholic faith take their place,” he warned.  

“Take care of your traditions, and do not allow the desire for money to lead you to other traditions that are not good and that offend God,” the Cardinal said in conclusion.