Christ the Vine

MEDIATOR DEI

Continued Mission of Christ:
The liturgical year is not merely the record of past events. It is rather Christ Himself ever living in His Church. He continues His merciful mission begun in His mortal life, going about doing good. He aims to teach men His mysteries that they may live by them. These mysteries are examples of Christian perfection as well as sources of divine grace, due to the merits and prayers of Christ. Each mystery brings its own special grace for our salvation. So the Church prays that her children may share in the spirit of these mysteries through the merits of Christ. By co-operating with Him we receive from Him life as branches do from the vine and members from the head, until gradually we change ourselves into "the fullness of Christ."

[Excerpted from 'Mediator Dei', Pius XII]