Like St. Joseph, “be Eucharistic”, Guide Families to Jesus: Bishop in South Sudan to Men in Corpus Christi Message

Bishop Hiiboro says that the Eucharist also has a practical role in feeding the poor, and explains, “We who eat the Bread of Angels cannot forget the hungry. To feed the poor is to serve Christ Himself.”

In his pastoral message, the Local Ordinary of CDTY since his Episcopal Consecration in June 2008 goes on to share his personal experiences with the Eucharist, saying, “Every time I, your bishop, lift the Consecrated Host and whisper, ‘This is My Body’, I feel overwhelmed.”

He continues, “Who am I, that my sinful hands should hold the Living God? I am but clay yet Christ, in His infinite mercy, uses me, a fragile man, to bring His infinite self to you.”

In that moment, the South Sudanese says further, “I feel as small as a whisper in the wind, yet more loved than I can ever understand. ‘Lord, I am not worthy… but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.’”

“Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, my heart burns within me every time I celebrate the Eucharist (Lk 24:32),” he says, and adds, “There, I meet Christ humbly hidden, divinely alive. And I whisper again and again: ‘Lord, increase my faith!’”

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Bishop Hiiboro also reflects on the power of the Eucharistic to bring about holiness. He says, “Let every Holy Communion we receive reshape us into more forgiving, more joyful, more humble people.”

“The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect. But, as Pope Francis says, a healing remedy for the broken,” he says referring to the Apostolic Exhortation of the late Pope Francis on the joy of the Gospel, Evangelii Gaudium. 

The Holy Eucharist, Bishop Hiiboro goes on to say, “nourishes our weakness, forgives our sins, and transforms our hearts. Canon 898 reminds us: ‘The Christian faithful are to hold the Most Holy Eucharist in the highest honour… receiving it with great devotion and frequent participation.’”

The Catholic Bishop says that in his Episcopal See, ongoing initiatives such as Sustainable Initiatives for the Future of Africa (SIFA) have enlivened the Eucharistic life.

He explains that SIFA, with the vision, “With one hand the hoe, and with the other, the Holy Bible,” is not “merely a slogan,” but rather “a Eucharistic way of life—feeding both body and soul, reconciling productivity with holiness, and labour with love.”

Through the initiative, Bishop Hiiboro says, “we dare to ask uncomfortable questions about our culture, society, and mindset. Yet the answer to every deep human problem lies hidden in the Eucharist.”

In the Eucharist, he says there is a solution to problems like “healing of broken families, renewal of moral values, sanctification of economic efforts and rebirth of hope in communities marked by pain.”

Bishop Hiiboro, who serves as the President of the Integral Human Development Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSS-CBC) outlines the pastoral Eucharistic directives for his Episcopal See.

He directs that “All Parishes must ensure daily and Sunday Eucharistic celebrations, spiritual nourishment, catechesis, and care for the needy for no one should be left hungry, physically or spiritually.”

“Let every parish and institution establish and promote Eucharistic Adoration,” he says, and adds, “Fall in love with Jesus, who waits for you in the tabernacle. Come and watch with Him.”

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On Sunday, June 22, Bishop Hiiboro directs further, “let the Eucharist bless our streets, homes, villages, and towns. Organize sacred processions that proclaim Jesus is Lord of Tombura-Yambio!”

In his pastoral message he shared with ACI Africa, the South Sudanese Catholic Bishop appeals for prayers and support for the ministers of the Eucharist.

“Pray for your Priests, Deacons, and Eucharistic ministers. We are earthen vessels carrying divine treasure (2 Cor 4:7). May we serve with awe, reverence, and joy! The Priest is the Eucharistic man par excellence,” Bishop Hiiboro implores.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.