The Capuchin Friars of Mile Sixteen Bolifamba in the Diocese of Buea have expressed feelings of completeness as the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese Bishop Michael Bibi this Wednesday October 18th , installed the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle of the Chapel of the Capuchin Friars.
This installation was done in the course of a Eucharistic celebration in thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Eucharist which according to the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1327, is the “source and summary of our Faith”.Making reference to the gospel of Luke 10 verse 9, which states that the kingdom of God is very close to us, His Lordship Michael Bibi explained to Christians that in Jesus, we meet God and that with the coming of Jesus into the world, Jesus has established the kingdom of God with us. The mark of this kingdom he further explained is justice, peace and love. He thus encouraged Christians to embrace these virtues which are paramount in Christianity.
During his sermon, the Prelate highlighted the importance of the presence of the Eucharist in the Tabernacle while making reference to paragraph 1379 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church which teaches that the Eucharist has to be preserved in the Tabernacle first with the goal of encouraging Christians to carry out adoration and secondly to bring communion to those who are sick.
The Bishop further noted that the tabernacle exists only in the Catholic Church for its belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Sacred Species as highlighted in paragraph 1374 of the Catholic Church that after consecration; Jesus is truly, really and substantially present in the species of bread and wine.
It should be noted that through the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle this community must celebrate Mass in the chapel at least twice a month and the superior was mandated to take responsibility as the custodian of the Eucharist in the chapel. According to the teachings of the church, the chapel must be open daily for some hours for prayers and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
The community of the Capuchin Friars while articulating joy for this golden opportunity to have the Eucharist reserved in the Tabernacle of their Chapel, assured the Chief Shepherd that the Eucharist will be celebrated daily in this chapel.