Ecclesia de Eucharistia

Ecclesia de Eucharistia Latin for 'The Church from the Eucharist' Encyclical of Pope John Paul II
Signature date	17 April 2003
Subject	The Eucharist in its relationship with the Church
Number	14 of 14 of the pontificate
Text	In Latin In English
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Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church from the Eucharist) is an encyclical by Pope John Paul II published on April 17, 2003. Its title, as is customary, is taken from the opening words of the Latin version of the text, which is rendered in the English translation as "The Church draws her life from the Eucharist". He discusses the centrality of the Eucharist to the definition and mission of the Church and says he hopes his message will "effectively help to banish the dark clouds of unacceptable doctrine and practice, so that the Eucharist will continue to shine forth in all its radiant mystery." He explored themes familiar from his earlier writings, including the profound connection between the Eucharist and the priesthood. It drew as well on his personal experiences saying Mass.^[1]

Throughout his pontificate, John Paul II wrote an annual letter to priests on Holy Thursday. On his 25th Holy Thursday as pope, he issued this encyclical instead, addressed to all Catholics: "to the bishops, priests and deacons, men and women in the consecrated life and all the lay faithful". It was the last of his fourteen encyclicals.