The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1959-04-03
JOSEPH BREIG-
When God Enters
Man, What Then?

What makes a man most perfectly a man? And a
woman most perfectly a woman?
Where can a husband and wife find the source
of the highest spiritual fusion?"
Whence comes harmony In families, and peace
and cooperation among nations?
In one word, Pope John gave the answer. The
word: Communion.
The Holy Father spoke eloquently in a message
to the first Central American Eucharistic Congress.
Let us put into question-and-answe form what
WHAT DOES the Holy Eucharist do to us?
1t instills in our hearts "a new energy"
The name of the energy? Supernatural love.
Does this supernatural love push aside human
affection?
No: it strengthens human affection, makes it
truer, purlfIes 1t, and channels it in the right direction.
What is the effect upon us-upon you and me?
Pope John replied:
Man is complete when he has God within his
hreast-God who remains united with him, strengthen
ing his personality.
THE natural virtues themselves are elevated in
quality;
man, made in the image Of God, conforming to the
example Of His Son. in whom The Father is we'll
pleased"
What is the effect upon our relations with others?
Human relations acquire a new tone from the
person who possesses God through the Eucharist"
Why is this so?
Because Communion brings forth and nourishes
true love. 1t soothes souls; curbs desires; Gains the
troubled spirit: spurs us to good works and to Justice
and mercy.
Christ in the sacrament of the altar, said Pope
John, is more truly and completely with us than in
any other of His manifestations.
THIS SACRAMENT is divine Love giving itself.
In Christ, therefore. husband and wife achieve highest
spiritual fusion.
1t is Love also sacrificing itself. Therefore it
sanctifies and transforms the sacrifices proper to
marriage, thus giving stability to family life.
'An6 ctJI nrn - coJH Dono TC1o ~ fkfr N~snt
The effects of Holy Communion reach out through
the individual not only to the members of his family,
but to all mankind.
In this source of love, all agreements between
men find their purest Wellspring, The friendship be-
tween soul and God, and between soul and soul, ex-
tends itself.
AS A RESULT, community life and international
lie are brought more and more into harmony with
Human nature has an essential unity. And the
graces of Holy Communion make that unity more and
more operative.
Thus does Communion draw the world together.
Its effects work for harmony among men; for peace
not war; for love not hatred; for understanding not
confusion, and for joy not sorrow.
And what about the Church? Pope John said:
On the religious level the Church has this seed
OF unity. Far from snnuIins or weakening natural ties
among men. it eonsoidafes and ennobles Them"
AS st. Paul said: Because the bread is one. we
though many are one body, all of us who partake Of
the one bread.
In the Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi, we
pray the Lord to grant his Church ''the gifts of unity
and peace, mystcally s~ignified' by the Bread of Life
on the altar.
To parents, Pope John said:
Look upon The Holy Host and ask the Lord 10
bless your homes with the most perfect harmony and
fidelity, and with the fruit Of many priestIy vacations
among your sons.
ASK that He e~nlishten your leaders and give
Just balance to the social life Of your peoples.
TASK that He keep you firm in The Faith.
Ask that He fill your home with prosperity, and
your nations with true progress.
These are also our wishes, and our most ardent
prayers to the Love Of Loves"