Page:The Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII.djvu/541



THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST. 535

or for the purpose of making reparation for the blas- phemies and insults of which it is the object. But neither We nor you, Venerable Brethren, can allow ourselves to rest satisfied -vsdth what has hitherto been done; for there remain many things which must be further de- veloped or begun anew, to the end that this most divine of gifts, this greatest of mysteries, may be better under- stood and more worthily honored and revered, even by those who already take their part in the religious services of the Church. WHierefore, works of this kind which have been already set on foot must be ever more zealously promoted; old undertakings must be revived wherever perchance they may have fallen into decay; for instance, Confraternities of the Holy Eucharist, intercessory prayers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed for the veneration of the faithful, solemn processions, devout visits to God's tabernacle, and other holy and salutary practices of the same kind; nothing must be omitted which a prudent piety may suggest as suitable. But the chief aim of Our efforts must be that the frequent reception of the Eucharist may be everywhere revived among Cathohc peoples. For this is the lesson which is taught us by the example, already referred to, of the primitive Church, by the de- crees of Councils, by the authority of the Fathers and of holy men in all ages. For the soul, like the body, needs frequent nourislunent ; and the Holy Eucharist provides that food which is best adapted to the support of its life. Accordingly all hostile prejudices, those vain fears to which so many yield, and their specious excuses from abstaining from the Eucharist, must be resolutely put aside; for there is question here of a gift than which none other can be more serviceable to the faithful people, either for the redeeming of them from the tyranny of anxious cares concerning perishable things, or for the renewal of the Christian spirit and perseverance therein. To this end the exhortations and example of all those who occupy a prominent position will powerfully contribute,