The Eucharist as Memorial Pope John Paul II General Audience October 4, 2000 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today we reflect on the Eucharist as memorial. In the Biblical sense, memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for our salvation. In the liturgical celebration of these events, God’s actions themselves are made present and real (cf. CCC 1363). In Old Testament times, the liturgical celebration of the Passover was the most significant memorial. In its yearly celebration, God renewed to the people of Israel his promise of freedom and salvation. For Christians, the Eucharist is the great memorial in which the one sacrifice of Christ is made sacramentally present, and its saving power is communicated to those who take part worthily. As she celebrates the Eucharist, Christ’s Bride, the Church, is filled with the grace of her Lord, the Bridegroom, while she awaits her definitive salvation at his coming in glory. I warmly welcome the new students of the Pontifical Beda College, and the seminarians of the Pontifical North American College who will be ordained to the Diaconate tomorrow. I extend a special greeting to the National Jubilee pilgrimage from Scotland, led by Bishops Taylor, Devine and Logan; and to the Diocesan pilgrimages from Hamilton in Bermuda, led by Bishop Kurtz; Seattle, led by Archbishop Brunett; San Francisco, led by Archbishop Levada; Saint Thomas, led by Bishop Murry; Scranton, led by Bishop Dougherty; and Brownsville, led by Bishop Pee±a. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from England, Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Bermuda and the United States of America, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.