Adam, the first man, was in a “deep sleep…While he was asleep, [God] took out one of his ribs…[and] built up into a woman the rib that He had taken from the man” (Gn 2:21). Eve, the beloved bride of Adam, was formed from her husband’s side.

The Church Fathers wrote that the Church was formed from the pierced side of Christ. Like Adam, Jesus was in a “deep sleep” when He expired on the Cross. A soldier’s lance pierced His side and out flowed blood and water, giving birth to the Church (Jn 19:34). Thus, the Church is the beloved bride of Christ, formed from His side. “As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam’s side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 766).

Jesus is the Head of the Church, and we are members of His “Body, the Church” (Col 1:18). As members of the Church, we are the beloved bride of Christ, as close to Jesus as His ribs, as dear to Him as the blood in His Sacred Heart. Thus the divine love of Jesus Christ flows through the Church. It’s not always easy to love the Church, composed as it is of members who are all sinners. If we are unable to love the Church and its members, then we cannot fully love Jesus (see 1 Jn 4:20), Who loves every member of His Church, His Body (1 Cor 12:27). We are His bride, so let’s love those whom the Groom loves.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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