Absence of the Presence

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This last Good Friday was my first one as a Roman Catholic. I attended a Good Friday service last year, even sang in the choir, but I wasn’t confirmed until Pentecost of last year. Thus, I wasn’t yet taking the Eucharist. So, I had an unusual experience, my best friend to some extent had the same experience, and we were wondering if it’s normal or typical for Catholics.

We very much felt the absence of the host in the tabernacle. It was a heavy empty feeling, definitely uncomfortable to say the least. Of course, it was also an unusual mass. At first the father said that we would not be taking the Eucharist that night and gave a few good reasons why. Then, suddenly in the middle of service he goes back into the sacristy and brings out the host, bread only, blesses it and distributes communion under one species (which is fine of course, just unexpected in this case.)

Anyway, beyond that feeling of emptiness, there is another parish we regularly pass by and we always make the sign of the cross in honor of the real presence (twice actually because they also have a perpetual adoration chapel.) Both on Good Friday and Holy Saturday (well before Easter Vigil) we drove by and neither of us noticed that we had passed the church until we were passing the Lutheran church down the street. We never miss that church. Could be coincidence, but it seems linked to the presence not being in the tabernacle.

Ok, now that y’all probably think I’m crazy, or at least over-exhuberent, the main question is whether it’s normal to feel the absence of the Presence so strongly? I should note that this friend is my best friend of many years, and we joined the church at the same time.

God bless, and Happy Easter season.
 
These are called consolations (but one of many different kinds), which God grants as he sees fit. Usually when they are given, they are more abundant in the beginning stages of the spiritual life to draw us to the good; then we are weaned off of them to strengthen our faith and purify our charity (believing without special feelings; loving God for his own sake, not because of his consolations).

You might compare it to the honeymoon phase and later maturity of a marriage; although a few people receive consolations their whole lives, while others never receive them at all. God grants them according to our condition and what he foresees will best help us to achieve our sanctification.

Whether one has special consolations or not, the absence of the Blessed Sacrament on Good Friday is indeed a dramatic part of the liturgical cycle. Side note: The priest doesn’t bless the hosts on Good Friday; they were consecrated the night before.

Welcome to the Church!
 
You are blessed to have any feelings associated with your religious faith, much less the feeling of loss at the absence of the Eucharist on Good Friday. I personally have never ‘felt’ anything associated with my faith, which may reflect on its sub-standard nature, although I prefer to believe it is associated with my overall emphasis on intellect rather than emotion in all my life affairs. I believe the previous post is a very wise one re consolations given to us in our journey. Pray this fullness in the Spirit continues to maintain your very strong love of God and assist you in the dry patches some saints talk about. God Bless you in your love of the Eucharist, His greatest gift to His family.
 
Nope. Not strange at all. Have you been to Holy Thursday Mass? (Mass of the Lord’s Supper). The Eucharist is processed out of the sanctuary and set in repose somewhere else. I have always felt that the absence is notable. It was probably most palpable the first time I experienced it. I also feel the absence of the Eucharist when I go with my parents to a Protestant service. I know that the Lord is there, because whenever two or more are gathered in his name, he has promised to be there. But it’s not the same.
 
Ad_Orientem said:
These are called consolations (but one of many different kinds), which God grants as he sees fit. Usually when they are given, they are more abundant in the beginning stages of the spiritual life to draw us to the good; then we are weaned off of them to strengthen our faith and purify our charity (believing without special feelings; loving God for his own sake, not because of his consolations).

You might compare it to the honeymoon phase and later maturity of a marriage; although a few people receive consolations their whole lives, while others never receive them at all. God grants them according to our condition and what he foresees will best help us to achieve our sanctification.

Whether one has special consolations or not, the absence of the Blessed Sacrament on Good Friday is indeed a dramatic part of the liturgical cycle. Side note: The priest doesn’t bless the hosts on Good Friday; they were consecrated the night before.

Welcome to the Church!
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Great explanation, and it is so true. My parish priest once told us during RCIA that in seminary he was jealous of the people who had amazing conversion experiences. He just never had that. But he is a man of great faith and unfailing devotion. I think you’re absolutely right that we get the consolations that we each need as individuals. (In my case, because I lack focus, the Lord has seen fit to give me plenty - lol!)
 
Working in the church all the time and coming from the “old school” formation, i always genuflect entering and exiting the sanctuary. On Good Friday and Holy Saturday I just feel the need to bow to the altar as I pass by. His presence not being in the Church is very noticeable.
 
Something similar happened to me once. I was helping chaperone a field trip to the San Juan Capistrano Mission for my daughter’s class. When we entered the old church, it felt empty, like it was just any room. It wasn’t until I glanced up at the altar that I noticed the tabernacle was open and empty.
 
Thank you for the replies. I’m very glad to know that it isn’t just us. We’re both a little unusual. I just wanted to be sure that it wasn’t just us. I’m glad for the experience, even though it was incredibly uncomfortable. It is a reaffirmation that we chose wisely when we joined the church. What power God has granted humanity through the priesthood that the Divine Presence can be held in such humble substances as bread and wine; and especially within us humans too.

I also still respected the altar with a bow, instead of my usual habit of kneeling to the tabernacle (which is right behind our altar. I understand that it is sometimes off to the side somewhere.)
 
newcalling said:
This last Good Friday was my first one as a Roman Catholic. I attended a Good Friday service last year, even sang in the choir, but I wasn’t confirmed until Pentecost of last year. Thus, I wasn’t yet taking the Eucharist. So, I had an unusual experience, my best friend to some extent had the same experience, and we were wondering if it’s normal or typical for Catholics.

We very much felt the absence of the host in the tabernacle. It was a heavy empty feeling, definitely uncomfortable to say the least. Of course, it was also an unusual mass. At first the father said that we would not be taking the Eucharist that night and gave a few good reasons why. Then, suddenly in the middle of service he goes back into the sacristy and brings out the host, bread only, blesses it and distributes communion under one species (which is fine of course, just unexpected in this case.)

Anyway, beyond that feeling of emptiness, there is another parish we regularly pass by and we always make the sign of the cross in honor of the real presence (twice actually because they also have a perpetual adoration chapel.) Both on Good Friday and Holy Saturday (well before Easter Vigil) we drove by and neither of us noticed that we had passed the church until we were passing the Lutheran church down the street. We never miss that church. Could be coincidence, but it seems linked to the presence not being in the tabernacle.

Ok, now that y’all probably think I’m crazy, or at least over-exhuberent, the main question is whether it’s normal to feel the absence of the Presence so strongly? I should note that this friend is my best friend of many years, and we joined the church at the same time.

God bless, and Happy Easter season.
Click to expand...
I think it is perfectly normal to feel the absence of the Presence. My husband and I were talking about this over Holy Week, and we both agreed that the church feels so different on Good Friday and during the daytime of Holy Saturday when the Blessed Sacrament is not there.

As a Protestant, long before I ever remotely considered the Catholic Church, I was always drawn to Catholic Church buildings and always wanted to step inside or at least try to peek inside when I got the chance. Now I believe it is because I was drawn to the presence of Jesus inside the church, even though I didn’t know it then.
 
This is interesting. I am a convert, and I have never had any sensible experiences of Jesus’ Real Presence. My faith is almost totally intellectual. I have always been intrigued by those who experience these sorts of consolations. Thanks for sharing.
 
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