Washington D.C., Mar 15, 2007 / 07:34 am

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement welcoming Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist, saying it clearly reflects the mind of the bishops who attended the 2005 world synod on the Eucharist. The document was released by the Vatican on March 13.

“Pope Benedict teaches that the Eucharist finds its source within the wellspring of love that is the Trinity,” said Bishop William Skylstad, referring to the document, titled Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Love).

“His observations about celebrating the Eucharist are rooted in the wholistic understanding that, ‘This most holy mystery thus needs to be firmly believed, devoutly celebrated and intensely lived in the Church,’” the bishop said.

It demonstrates “how the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church’s life” in relation to the other Sacraments, especially Holy Orders and marriage.

As per the synod’s request, the Pope also addresses the relationship of the Eucharist to daily life, the bishop pointed out. “The sacrament of love must bear the fruit of love within our families, our parishes and our communities,” he said.

“Our Eucharistic Liturgies will not only be celebrated in a way that is beneficial to all who participate, but will also give glory and praise to the Father in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Skylstad affirmed.