During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, entitled Sacrosanctum Concilium. He emphasized that "the liturgy sustains the faithful" and asserted that each Eucharistic Celebration becomes "a true epiphany of the Church in prayer."
The Pope stated that Christ is the inner source of the mystery of the Church, described as the holy people of God, which is born from His side pierced on the Cross. He declared, “In the holy liturgy, through the power of His Spirit, He continues to act. He sanctifies and unites the Church,” highlighting that His presence is felt in the proclaimed Word, in the sacraments, and in the gathered community.
Pope Leo XIV outlined the intentions behind the drafting of the Constitution, noting that the Council Fathers aimed not only to reform rites but also to deepen the Church's understanding of the living bond that unites it: the mystery of Christ. This mystery centers around the Paschal event, comprising the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Glorification of Christ, which the liturgy sacramentally presents to the faithful.
He underscored the significance of liturgy by stating, “the work of our redemption is accomplished,” which he explained makes believers a chosen lineage and a holy nation. The Pope further articulated that through the worship performed in the liturgy, the assembly gathered in Christ's name immerses itself into this central mystery, thus experiencing its significance in a deeper manner.
As part of his catechesis, the Holy Father referenced the importance of communal participation in the Eucharistic celebration. He pointed out that in celebrating the Eucharist, the Church receives the Body of the Lord and matures into the Body of Christ, thus becoming “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” He affirmed that this process develops a communion that is both internal and external, expressed through rites and prayers.
The ritual aspects of the liturgy, he explained, are instrumental in expressing faith and shaping ecclesial identity. He noted, "every celebration becomes a true epiphany of the Church in prayer," as Saint John Paul II noted in his Apostolic Letter Vicesimus quintus annus marking 25 years since Sacrosanctum Concilium's promulgation. He further solidified the understanding that the liturgy serves as "the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed."
Pope Leo reflected that the liturgy not only encompasses the Church's core action but also emerges as a source of sustenance for the faithful, allowing them to continually engage with the Paschal mystery. He expressed that through the proclamation of the Word, sacramental celebrations, and communal prayers, believers are strengthened in their faith and mission.
The Holy Father concluded his remarks by echoing the observations of Pope Francis, extending God's invitation to all people to partake in the Eucharistic banquet. He invited the faithful to allow themselves to be inwardly shaped by the rites and symbols of the liturgy, promoting a deeper understanding that will continue to unfold in the coming weeks.
