The Sacred Body of Christ
Lenten Pastoral Letter 2008
from
Monsignor Dr. Vitus Huonder
Bishop of Chur
For the title of this letter cf. the Roman Canon of the Holy Mass:
"Then, as we receive from this altar the sacred body and blood of your Son, let us be filled with every grace and
blessing."
The Pastoral Letter is to be read at all Masses during the First Sunday of Lent, 9th/10th February 2008.
It will be released to the Press on 11th February 2008.
Chur, 6th January 2008
The Sacred Body of Christ
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
I am addressing my pastoral letter to you for the first time as Bishop of this diocese. Lent is a time
of renewal, renewal in Christ. This is also the theme of my episcopal motto: "Renewed in Christ".
Only deeper commitment to Christ will enable us to renew ourselves and the Church. So today I
wish to say a few words that might encourage you in strengthening your Faith.
In the Gospel we read these words of Jesus: "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word
that comes forth from the mouth of God" (Mt 4,4). For Our Lord, the Word of God is the very
source of life. Therefore we will concentrate on this Word. It should give substance and direction
to our lives.
The Word reaches us directly from the mouth of God through the Sacred Scripture, the Bible. As a
result, we approach the Bible with great respect, we read it often, we appreciate listening to it
during Mass and we allow it to instruct us throughout life. Both praying and reading the Bible
belong to every Christian's daily routine.
Equally, the Word of God belongs to the Sacred Tradition of the Church. Vatican Council II
teaches us that "Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the Word of God,
committed to the Church", (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, 10). Lent is
a good opportunity to rediscover the value of sacred tradition. The "Compendium of the Catechism
of the Catholic Church" is an invaluable and useful aid to this end. It gives a comprehensive view
of the Faith of the Church.
The Word of God's mouth reaches its summit in those words that Our Lord left us in the
Celebration of the Eucharist: This is my body, this is my blood (cf. Mt 26,26-28). Through these
words, repeated by priests during each celebration of the Eucharist, the Lord Himself brings about
the transformation of bread and wine into His Sacred Body and Precious Blood. He brings to the
present day His sacrifice of death for humanity. He gives himself to us in the form of spiritual
nourishment. When we participate in the Holy Mass and receive the body of Christ in Holy
Communion, "... a holy temple unto the Lord ... is the abode of our heart" (The Epistle of Barnabas
6,15). The Lord is with us. We are with the Lord. In this way, the sacrifice of the Mass becomes
that aspect of our lives in which the words of the Gospel are truly fulfilled: we live by the Word of
God's mouth. Through this Word is the Lord Himself, Son of the heavenly Father and power of the
Holy Spirit, among us. He is truly, tangibly and powerfully present in the form of bread and wine.
The reality of the Holy Eucharist demands our Love and Respect: love for the Lord in the
Sacrament, respect for God's mystery. The celebration of the Eucharist is no worldly happening.
The Holy Mass must not be mistaken for a profane event, or celebrated in such a way as to give that
impression. Holy Communion is not worldly food. Therefore Paul, the Apostle, is quick to remind
us that it is the Sacred Body of the Lord that we receive (cf. 1 Cor 11,29), and he warns us against
unworthy acceptance of Holy Communion when he says: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or
drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A
person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup" (1 Cor 11,27-28).
It must be our responsibility not only to show love and respect for the most Holy Sacrament, but
also to pass this on. Above all, children and young adults should be introduced carefully and
responsibly to the celebration of Holy Mass and to a worthy reception of Holy Communion. The
Holy Mass must on no account be confused with a party and the Sacred Body of the Lord mistaken
for common bread.
Preparation for First Holy Communion must, therefore, not be reduced to a mere formality. It must
lead deep into the most sacred Mystery of Faith, which Our Lord entrusted to the Church as a most
valued treasure. Nothing should distract the First Communion recipients from this mystery, and it
should be of the utmost concern to parents that their children be competently prepared. Indeed, the
parents themselves should use the occasion to rediscover the mystery of the Holy Eucharist.
Priests, deacons and pastoral workers must feel the weight of responsibility in ensuring that First
Communion does not also become the last, or next to last, time it is received. The children should,
precisely through their First Communion classes, become so enthusiastic about their love for Christ
in the Sacrament, that they continue to desire Our Lord after having received the Sacred Body. The
celebration of First Communion belongs to so-called Christian Initiation: the faithful is introduced
to and prepared for Christian life. Initiation begins with holy Baptism. This frees us from original
sin and gives us new life in Christ. The second step is holy Confirmation. This strengthens the
baptized and affords him the special protection of the Holy Spirit. Finally, the initiation culminates
in full acceptance into the community of the Eucharist and first reception of the Sacrament of the
altar. Once introduced into Christian life, the faithful follows his life's path accompanied always by
the eucharistic Lord. The Sacred Body of the Lord thus becomes strength, comfort and joy in the
sometimes difficult daily life of that person. What a wonderful gift!
Brothers and sisters in Christ, since I, as diocesan Bishop, have particular responsibility for your
Faith, I ask this of you: absorb your Faith, the word of God, the mystery of our Christian calling,
and particularly the great gifts of the holy Eucharist and holy Communion. Never forget the words
of Our Lord: "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth
of God." During Lent take time to reflect anew about your Christian vocation. The sacrament of
holy Confession, especially, offers an opportunity for reconciliation, ensuring that your Easter not
be experienced merely as an external celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, but also and
particularly as an intimate renewal of your baptismal promises. In this way you will renew yourself
in Christ and will make an invaluable contribution to effectively renewing the Church.
To this end, I gladly send you my episcopal blessing and I entrust you, in my constant prayers, to
the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to the intercession of Mary, Mother of God.
Heartfelt greetings from your Bishop
 Vitus Huonder
Bishop of Chur