It has been published a while ago, an op-ed piece in the La Razón, Spanish newspaper, but never in English. I wonder why. Anyway, here it is:
A Breath of Fresh Air
by Cardinal Antonio Cañizares
January 21, 2012
On Friday morning in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI granted an audience to thousands of members of the Neocatechumenal Way. This was truly a joy–‐filled meeting, like as breath of fresh air in a time of drought. Only faith that is lived in a deep ecclesial communion could produce such an experience that was both gratifying and stimulating. At this meeting the decree of approval of the celebrations of the Neocatechumenal Way contained in the “Catechetical Directory” was read; many priests and families, who left everything, were sent in mission to difficult places to announce the Gospel. The Pope, with an unflagging and great joy, spoke to them of the meaning of the meeting, of their mission, of the following of Christ, of the true meaning and the spirit of the liturgy and, finally, he blessed the families and priests going on mission, as well as all the members, responsibles, catechists and initiators of the Way – Kiko and Carmen. There was a special expectedness in the meeting: the much desired approval of the non–‐ liturgical celebrations, that mark the different steps of the Way of Christian initiation.
Undoubtedly the Neocatechumenal Way is one of those new ecclesial realities that are urgently needed and very necessary, that have arisen in the wake of the Second Vatican Council to foster the new evangelization of our world and to renew Christian initiation. In my estimation it is one of the most noteworthy and widespread initiatives, raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, which best responds both to the nature and demands of Christian Initiation and to the urgent and pressing need to renew, promote and strengthen, with vigor and identity, a new pastoral work of this Christian initiation, both for those coming from paganism and for those who are already baptized but insufficiently initiated, taking care of all those elements which, in their entirety, integrate a true Christian initiation of a catechumenal character, in conformity with the orientations and directives coming from the Church in the Second Vatican Council, an in the magisterium and later instructions from the Church.
In the center of the Neocatechumenal Way a certain conviction can be seen that the catechumenate belongs to the very womb of baptism, albeit before or after its reception: it is a way to live in conformity with everything that is signified and contained in the sacrament of Baptism.
Soul and strength
The Word of God, the Eucharist, Baptism (either already received or still to be received), and the Christian community are the very nucleus of this itinerary of faith, that is accompanied by celebrations which are not strictly liturgical in each one of its steps or passages. The dominical Eucharist, habitually anticipated on Saturday evening in the neocatechumenal communities is like “the soul and the strength” of the whole Way. The celebration of the Eucharist, in the interior of the itinerary proper to these communities, is carried out in a very dignified and beautiful manner, with a great sense of faith, with an ecclesial spirit that is both festive and liturgical, with a deep “sense of mystery and the sacred.” The Word of God and the Eucharist signal the priority of God, the initiative of God and constitute the foundation and the source that give life, nourishment and strength to the communities, they capacitate, strengthen and free them to bear witness and to evangelize.
We must truly give thanks to God for this gift that enriches the Church, which has arisen in Spain, but is now of such a great and fruitful influence throughout the whole world.
Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Translated from
larazon.es/noticia/2533-un-aire-fresco-por-cardenal-antonio-canizares
