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ROME – Romans and pilgrims, including hundreds of German altar servers in Rome for a pilgrimage, packed the Basilica of St. Mary Major to mark the feast of the church’s dedication and to watch “snow” fall from the ceiling.

The Eucharistic prayer is the high point of the Mass and the most profound prayer that the church can offer. We can never understand nor appreciate fully the Mystery, the great love that God shows us in this marvelous exchange. We offer to God the gifts of bread, wine and ourselves, and God returns to us the body of Christ, his living Presence among us. The Eucharistic prayer begins with the Preface and continues through the Great Amen; the new translation will offer a more poetic wording.

The letter, “Weary of war” (CR, July 15) falsely asserts that the letter from Sean Costello misrepresented the American attitude toward the war in Afghanistan. The sentence which starts “Contrary to what Costello states … ” makes a false linkage to an assertion that Costello never made. How can “Weary of war” demand respect for pacifism after using a false statement as a lead-in to arguments implying moral superiority?

I see (“Appreciating American Heroes,” CR, July 1) that you have sub-contracted your design graphics to the American Legion. But I suppose the cover page is consistent with the silence of our priests and Catholic schools.

KERICHO, Kenya – A hearing for nine suspects in the murder of an Irish missionary priest was postponed when the magistrate said he was being transferred to another court.

Catholic leaders oftentimes decry the negative portrayal of the church by the media. “Vatican norms on abuse to be reviewed” (CR, July 15) may provide some insight, albeit unintended, as to the source of the media’s cynicism. The article describes the church’s updating of its 2001 decision that made the sexual abuse of a minor by a priest a more grave crime (i.e., “delicta graviora”) against church law.