It is clear that both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI stand firm on maintaining the Traditions of the Church, both Sacramental and political, and with as little change to them as possible. It has long been the position of the Church that consistency in Tradition follows the path of God (YOUR TEXT TITLE, EDITOR, DATE).

There is certain symbolism associated with the liturgy that serves to link the community or laity to the tradition of the Celebration of the Eucharist; and that symbolism is the altar, the minister or priest, the cup that holds the wine or the Blood of Jesus; the Bread that is the Body of Christ; and, of course, the cross that represents the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on behalf of us in order that our sins be forgiven and that we, like Him, experience everlasting life. That is the Hope, the Truth, and the Promise.

Bibliography

Sorokin, P.A. (1962)....

Society, Culture, and Personality: Their Structure and Dynamics. New York: Cooper Square Publishers. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=94476772
Pope John Paul II (2003) Encyclical Ecclesastia de Eucharista

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis_en.html, retrieved 22 October 2007.

Pope Benedict xvi (2007) Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis

http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/JP2EUCHA.HTM, retrieved 22 October 2007.

The original prayer is in Italian and has been translated here to the English language. There are different translations of the words to the song; but the song originated in the sung prayers of Gregorian Monks many centuries ago (http://www.catholictradition.org/Classics/ave-maria.htm).