After that whole Swiss debacle a couple of days ago, we’re a little behind on figuring out What Does The Pope Really Say? So, in the interest of catching up . the VIS summary of what he REALLY said to the Swiss bishops. This part, on liturgy, is particulary succinct:

On the subject of the liturgy, the papal address made it clear that this "is not some ‘self-expression’ of the community which in the liturgy enters center stage, it is rather the community abandoning its ‘being itself’ to enter the great banquet of the poor, to become part of the great living community in which God Himself nourishes us. … And it must be borne in mind that the homily is not an interruption of the liturgy for the purposes of making a speech, but that it is part of the sacramental event, bringing the Word of God into the present moment of the community."

Let that be the answer to the ever-present workshop question, "Why go to Mass?"

Today, he met with those planning Eucharistic Congresses – (Quebec ’08, don’t forget)

In his address to the delegates, the Pope first recalled how they are currently preparing the 49th International Eucharistic Congress, due to be held in Quebec, Canada, in June 2008. Eucharistic congresses, he went on, "are always a source of spiritual renewal, an occasion to make better known the Blessed Eucharist, which was the most valuable treasure Jesus left us. They also constitute an encouragement for the Church to spread the love of Christ at all levels of society, and to testify to it without hesitation."

The presence at the gathering of a number of representatives of the Adorers of the Eucharist, said Benedict XVI, gave him the opportunity to recall "just how beneficial the rediscovery of Eucharistic adoration by many Christians is. … How much need modern humanity has to rediscover the source of its hope in the Sacrament of the Eucharist! I thank the Lord because many parishes, alongside the devout celebration of Mass, are educating the faithful in Eucharistic adoration. And it is my hope that – also in view of the next International Eucharistic Congress – this practice will become ever more widespread."