Manila Archbishop Urges Catholics to Reflect Christ’s Self-Giving Love through the Eucharist

The Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jose Advincula, urged Catholics to imitate the self-giving love of Christ present in the Eucharist and make it visible in their daily lives.

In his homily for Corpus Christi Sunday on June 7, Cardinal Advincula said participation in the Mass requires more than active involvement in the liturgy. It also calls the faithful to be willing to be “broken” and shared for the good of others, following the example of Christ.

“Through our communion with Jesus, let us be steadfast in our witness as one body that we offer to each other,” he said. “This becomes joy to the grieving, justice to the oppressed, and comfort to a suffering nation.”

Cardinal Advincula presided over the fiesta Mass at the Minor Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, also known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, in the Santa Cruz district of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

The cardinal said the Eucharist continually challenges believers to reach out to others and give of themselves in concrete ways.

“The offering of oneself is not only expressed through beautiful words, but also through concrete actions that others can truly feel and remember,” he said.

Cardinal Advincula also emphasized that communion with Christ in the Eucharist must lead to deeper communion with fellow members of the Church.

“Jesus does not only become present to us through the transubstantiated bread and wine, but He even becomes part of us who receive Him,” he said. “Communion with Jesus is therefore not extrinsic but intrinsic.”

Amid ongoing conflicts and divisions in society, the cardinal called on Catholics to become witnesses to the Gospel.

“During times of war and division, we must proclaim and become witnesses to the Gospel that saves,” he said. “This is Corpus Christi: communion with Christ in the Eucharist leads us to effective and genuine communion with one another.”

Following the Mass, a traditional Eucharistic procession was held from Santa Cruz Parish to the Manila Cathedral. The procession was led by Bishop Emeritus Antonio Tobias of the Diocese of Novaliches.

As part of the archdiocese’s observance of Corpus Christi, the Archdiocese of Manila held 40 hours of Eucharistic adoration from the evening of June 5 until the afternoon of June 7, concluding with a solemn benediction.