PART 10: Antichrists revealed by Jesus Christ – John Paul 11 and the Virgin Mary

Of special importance in the Marian teaching of the Venerable, John Paul II is the emphasis he placed on the relationship of Our Lady to the Eucharist. Vatican II initiated a renewal in the liturgical life of the Church. He formulated the encyclical letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Eucharist in Its Relationship to the Church) in April 2003, and in October 2004 he declared a Year of the Eucharist, to run from October 2004 to October 

His encyclical on the Eucharist opens by stating: “The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.” The final section is entirely Marian: “At the School of Mary — Woman of the Eucharist.”

His Marian Eucharistic perspective can be summarized by these statements gathered from his various teachings. A profound penetration of the mystery of Mary’s role in Eucharistic worship and life in all its dimensions is presented for the benefit of the universal Church.

“Let Mary lead us to the Eucharist! … Mary is the most perfect teacher of that love which enables us to be united in the deepest way with Christ in his Eucharistic presence.

“Let us together ask her to lead believers toward an ever more perfect knowledge of the saving power of the sacrifice of Christ, who is present in the Eucharist. … Mary can guide us toward this holiest sacrament, because she herself has a profound relationship with it.

“Mary is ‘the woman of the Eucharist in her whole life. … The Church, which looks to Mary as a model, is also called to imitate her in her relationship with this holiest mystery. … Mary is present with the Church, and as Mother of the Church, at each of our celebrations of the Eucharist.”

Father Stanley Smolenski, spam, a Baptistine canonical hermit, is the director of the diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of South Carolina, Mother of Joyful Hope in Kingstree, South Carolina (OurLadyofSouthCarolina.net).