Fr John Harris OP The new provincial of the Irish Dominicans has said that Catholics cannot fully live their faith without the Mass and other sacraments.
Fr John Harris OP was speaking to The Irish Catholic upon his election as prior provincial at the weekend and appealed for Catholics who have been away from the sacraments during the pandemic to return.
Asked whether the Dominicans will continue to appeal to those who’ve been away from the Church, particularly after the pandemic, Fr Harris said he “would definitely encourage people to come back to the fountain” that the Church and its sacraments are.
“The answer to what we’re talking about is – what you are looking for is Jesus.
“The Lord Jesus in the sacraments…the supernatural life of grace is very important. The sacraments are the means of that life of grace, the life of God within us. We cannot be expected to live the supernatural life of grace without the normal means of the supernatural life of grace, which is the sacraments.”
Fr Harris said his part in his election is just “an act of obedience to accept the election,” and that he leaves the results “up to God”.
“If I was to look at it just by myself, I would be very, desperately apprehensive, but maybe the glory of God can shine through all the more,” he said.
Fr Harris said he’s “very encouraged” by people’s support and prayers, and that his number one priority is to “encourage and support the brethren” [his fellow Dominicans] in their mission of bringing the Gospel to people.
“St Dominic founded the order of preachers so it’s not an option,” Fr Harris said, continuing, “We have to preach the Gospel, to offer people the joy and the hope of the Gospel. I think it’s very necessary.
“St Dominic is the man who gave us that job, and we have to follow on with what Dominic wants. Of course, evangelisation is how we understand it. Dominic called it ‘preaching’.”