Location: St. James the Apostle Catholic Church
Dear brothers and sisters, we have come to celebrate a significant moment in the life of this community and the wider Local Church of San Antonio, as we witness the installation of Fr. Ricardo Ramírez at St. James the Apostle Parish. This occasion invites us to reflect on the profound mystery of the Eucharist, the Heavenly Meal that we celebrate with, through, and for the Church, and the essential role of the priesthood in this divine mystery.
As priests, ordained ministers act in the person of Christ, making His one priesthood present and visible in the Church. Through their ministry, they not only represent Christ before the faithful but also offer the prayers and sacrifices of the Church to God, particularly in the Eucharistic celebration.
In this sacred liturgy, the assembly of God’s People presided by a bishop – or a priest representing the bishop – makes Jesus present, who through the ministry of the priest makes bread and wine truly become his Body and Blood, offered to us as a Heavenly Meal. The Eucharist is a living encounter with the risen Lord, who nourishes us with His very life.
The Gospel reminds us of the miraculous provision of manna in the desert, a foretaste of the true bread from heaven, Jesus Christ. The manna was a sign of God’s providential care and a test of Israel’s faithfulness. However, it was merely a foreshadowing of the true bread that Jesus would offer – Himself. Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” In Christ, we find the Wisdom of the Father, who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart and bring life to the world.
Today, as we celebrate the installation of Fr. Ricardo, we are reminded that the ministerial priesthood exists to serve the common priesthood of all believers. The priest’s primary role is to build up the Church, unfolding the baptismal grace of the faithful, and leading them deeper into the mystery of Christ’s love. Through their ministry, priests sanctify the Church, bringing Christ’s presence into our midst, especially in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian life.
As we partake in this Heavenly Meal, we are not only nourished but also sent forth as Eucharistic missionaries. We are called to carry the love and mercy of Christ into the world, becoming manna for others in the deserts of their lives. Let us embrace this mission with faith and joy, trusting that, through the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and empowered to live as His witnesses, sharing the Bread of Life with all we encounter.
Pope Francis has said that parish priests “know from within the life of God’s People, their joys and hardships, their resources and their needs. For this reason, a synodal Church needs its parish priests.” May Fr. Ricardo continue to be a faithful servant of Christ, leading you in the celebration of the sacraments and guiding you in your journey of faith. Let us pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe for him and for all priests, that they may be faithful stewards of God’s mysteries and loving shepherds of His flock.
