- I went to a RC mass this weekend where only 1 species was offered… first time I’ve seen that… the EO churches use that a complaint against RC church… what do EC’s say… does it really matter?
- I’ve seen a comment about the EO churches having beauty but no substance, i.e. no engaging the world outside of sunday’s DL… is there any validity to this?
- Right now I can’t take communion in the Catholic church because my marriage has not been convalidated. (I have being going to a Methodist church for past 7 years). I am trying to visit EO and EC churches – just difficult because most are 1 hour away – but assuming let’s say I fall in love with the EC church would I convalidated in that church would I in my RC church and then just attend the EC church?
1)Ultimately, it is a difference in tradition as far as I understand. What is at the heart of the matter is that Jesus is fully present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in
both species. Jesus cannot be separated or broken into “parts.” It’s been my experience that distributing His Holy Blood at a RC Mass in the states has to do with the practical concerns of the size of the Parish and having enough Priests/Eucharistic Ministers. For example, my Parish has about 8,000+ families!!! The mass would be a lot longer if His Holy Blood was made available to everyone. But, down the road is a much smaller Parish, and they give under both Species. As far as the difference in Tradition between the EC/EO and RC Churches, I will leave that up to far more knowledgeable persons on this board. I don’t think that Eastern Catholics would have “issues” with it because again, it is a difference in tradition:shrug:. It comes down to this: if you receive His Precious Blood, you are receiving Jesus Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. If you receive His Body, you are still receiving His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
2)That is a very broad generalization-it has about as much validity as any such broad generalization about any ethnic group or religion. We cannot judge the “substance” of a Church or Her members without knowing any of them personally. Even then, who are we to say that they have no substance. As Jesus said we should be known by our fruits. You can make the case that the beauty of the Churches and the Divine Liturgy will and can lead people to a greater love and relationship with Jesus. As a Roman Catholic, I love the feeling of the heavenly and divine whenever I have been in an Orthodox or Eastern Catholic Church. I have also had the same feelings in Roman Catholic Churches, and of course in my own Parish.
Well, I suppose I should have checked your profile. Are you a baptized Roman Catholic, that has fallen away? Were you married outside the Church? If yes to those, in the eyes of the Church, you would canonically be a Roman Catholic. You would have to have your marriage con-validated I believe. Also, what is your reasoning for visiting EC/EO Churches? I am only asking, not to be a jerk, but to understand if you believe the Lord is calling you to go there. If so, I believe you would have to have your marriage con-validated, be reconciled with the Catholic Church (Roman, assuming if you were baptized in it) and then, go through the process of changing your canonical enrollment to a specific Eastern Catholic Church.
I will pray for you on your Journey. God Bless,
Pakesh
p.s. I hope I have answered, somewhat, you questions. If I am mistaken in any of my responses, I am sure my fellow Brothers and Sisters on the Forum will let you and me know
If you were Baptized in the Latin Church then your convalidation would be in that Church, Once your marriage is convalidated you can fully participate in any Catholic Church, Latin, EO, EC.