Catholics Would u go to church w\o the real presence teaching Eucharist

[ConfusedLucy]

Have any of them practiced the Catholic faith after doing that?

No. A lot of my non-Catholic friends aren’t committed to a denomination but instead look around for a church where they are spiritually fed and feel will help them grow in faith so I guess this could potentially be a Catholic church.

 

[Della]

Yes, I would, because I want to worship God. Plenty of non-Catholics who do not believe in the Eucharist go to church every Sunday, and sometimes more often if services are available, because they want to worship God. They love God as much as I do, and often even more.

1/2 of my family belongs to a Protestant denomination, and I can say without reservation that most of them serve God with all their being. My grandparents lived for the Lord. They lived holy lives, and never missed church without a good reason. They also went to Bible studies and prayer meetings, supported their missions, gave to charities, etc.

I think it’s wrong when people accuse some non-Catholics of only going to church for the music, etc. I am sure that can happen, but I think passing such a general judgement on people is wrong. We can’t read souls. After all, how many times do we hear other Catholics wanting to leave their parishes because they don’t feel spiritually fulfilled, because they don’t like the music, or the priest is too liberal, or people are too traditional, so-called liturgical abuse, or whatever. And we tell them that’s fine. The non-Catholics could accuse us of the same principal, and they would be right.

Any way, I’ve had my say. God knows the heart.

And I’ve known such good Christian people too, however, the vast majority, Catholics included, aren’t like them. They go where they find good fellowship or where they can hear what they want to hear. They don’t want to hear the hard teachings nor believe that God is greater than their own limited imaginations. They want God, if they even want God, to be manageable, malleable to their ideas, hopes and beliefs.

 

[Heather914]

No.

It is the source and summit of our faith.

Agreed!! Without the Holy Eucharist, it would be like going to a Protestant service. The Eucharist is EVERYTHING to me

 

[Vico]

No. A lot of my non-Catholic friends aren’t committed to a denomination but instead look around for a church where they are spiritually fed and feel will help them grow in faith so I guess this could potentially be a Catholic church.

Since non Catholic and non Orthodox Christians had just two sacraments I wonder how they are spiritually fed, especially since they do not have the sacrament of penance (with the priest) where they are able to receive absolution even without perfect contrition (for the love of God) which some people are unsure of.

 

[Avila123]

Although many others have given a response (far better than I could), I would not go elsewhere. Even before I knew the Church’s teaching about the Eucharist, my experience was that it sustained me through the days until I received again. I cannot explain fully, all I know is that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist and that I would not give that up to return to survive on only praise and worship services.

Some of the best times of my life have been spent praying and meditating on the Word of God, in the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

 

[Duane1966]

Although many others have given a response (far better than I could), I would not go elsewhere. Even before I knew the Church’s teaching about the Eucharist, my experience was that it sustained me through the days until I received again. I cannot explain fully, all I know is that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist and that I would not give that up to return to survive on only praise and worship services.

Some of the best times of my life have been spent praying and meditating on the Word of God, in the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

 

[MikeFrancisSDCA]

No, Logical, I wouldn’t. What would be the point.

And what’s with the Protestant idea of offering the Eucharist once a month? Where did that come from?

Mike

 

[steve_b]

Incorrect. Lutherans and Anglicans both believe in the actual Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Not merely a symbolic presence like say Baptists.

The “real presence” doesn’t come about because of what one believes. It happens as a result of valid ordination of the priesthood in apostolic succession.

Lutherans and Anglicans lost that succession.

AND
​

Considering, Romans 16:17-20 , Galatians 5:19-21 , this Greek word διχοστασίας dichostasia = division / dissension / factions /sedition (is the same word in both Rom 16:17 And Gal 5:19…) the consequences for dividing from the Catholic Church is “I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.”

IOW *** once someone knows*** the truth of the Catholic Church, and either divides from, or won’t return to unity, and remains in division from the Catholic Church won’t be saved.

Ever wonder where the phrase came from
“outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation”

For some history, all properly referenced,
The first 4 centuries of the Church (condensed ). It’s been Catholic (in writing) from the beginning

#27 ]
Padres:

Anglicans also believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but prefer to leave the actual mechanism of transformation of the bread and wine a sacred mystery (not unlike the Orthodox view in that regard). As such some Anglicans believe in transubstantiation, some consubstantiation, some sacramental union, some pneumatic presence, and some like myself choose to leave it as a mystery.

And as for Pope Leo, since we reject both papal authority and papal infallibility… he can declare what he likes but it has no bearing on Anglican Eucharist.

Padres,

“*Heresy *is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same;”

“Schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.”

Those sins carry huge consequences for souls in those sins
Padres:

But to the extent Anglican leadership felt Apostolicae Curae deserved a response, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York responded in Saepius Officio. And while Cranmer may have had his views, his views were not definitive on Anglicanism contemporaneously, or subsequently.

The big issues Padres, are the consequences to one’s soul, for what is mentioned above.

I’m just passing on information.

 

[PJM]

Catholics are taught the “the real presence” communion Eucharist.

Would u go to church w/o this teaching?

There are thousands of churches every Sunday performing this ceremony without any “real evidence” or result.

Catholic Belief and faith do not require evidence of spirituality impartation

Non Catholics recognized this ceremony as a symbol

KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH DAY remains a COMMANDMENT, so yes I would still go to church.

Having God: Really, Truly and Substantially Present in our MIDST is a GIFT of Faith and the reward for believing what Christ and five separate NT authors of the GOD Inspired bible clearly teach.

HOW can Christ, the Holy Spirit and John be more specific> More graphic; More precise in the language that they were INSPIRED to use?

John 6:47-58
[47] Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.
[48] I am the bread of life.
[49] Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
[50] This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.
[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."
[52] The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
[53] So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you;
[54] he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
[55] For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [56] He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. … which i exactly what does take place in Catholic Holy communion!

[57] As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.
[58] This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever."…

.One can seek their OWN understanding at great spiritual peril, and one CAN seek the TRUTH with God’s help.

Go figure

Continued Blessings
Partick

 

[MrsAngelala]

I would go to church without the Eucharist, and I have even post-reversion, but not for God’s sake - for my neighbor’s sake. My husband’s Protestant family likes to go to church together sometimes. When necessary, I go to church with them, and either before or after I attend Mass with the Church.

However, I find church without the Blessed Sacrament increasingly wearing. The buildings are performance spaces, not sanctuaries (to what do they act as sanctuary? What is reserved there?). I spent a few years going to a Protestant church with my husband. I had just started on the sound team and asked my ministry leader, “What do you call the space up front? It’s not an altar, so what is it?” “No, it’s not an altar.” “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t call it a stage.” “No, we call it the platform.”

A platform! As even the vocabulary indicates, the practice of “church” without the Eucharist is the worship of God without sacrifice. Such a concept is not Biblical.

Non Catholics recognized this ceremony as a symbol

What Catholics do is not a properly called a ceremony. The Greek word is ἀνάμνησιν, or anamnesis, commonly translated as memorial and in the Institution narratives as remembrance; but anamnesis carries a much larger connotation than the current English usage of memorial or remembrance. Anamnesis is the literal making present of a past event. We actually participate in the one sacrifice on Calvary every time we participate in Mass. It’s the only real form of time travel… although maybe it’s more of a “wrinkle” in time than actual travel… I wouldn’t know.

Yes, a ceremony would be a symbol. It is appropriate for non-Catholics to recognize their ceremonies as symbols. But Catholic priests don’t perform a ceremony, they confect the Eucharist in an act of anamnesis. Therefore Catholics don’t witness a symbol – we join ourselves with Christ’s sacrifice, in company with the communion of saints, all of us right there at that point in time, heaven and earth, united. That’s Mass. That’s Church.

---

To add slightly to Patrick’s quotation of John 6:47, an enlightening experience I had with the limitations of translation: a Protestant friend of mine reads French pretty fluently, and has a French Bible. We were discussing John 6 one day and I was explaining to her the significance of the double-Amen as an oath form (Amen, Amen, I say to you…) We talked briefly about how insipid the “Truly, truly” English translation is, and then she pulled out her French Bible, which read, “Oui, vraiment, je vous l’assure…” or "Yes, truly, ** I assure you**…, which we agreed was a much stronger statement than Truly, truly. Anyway, just thought I’d put that out there because I found it interesting.

 

[mmldwheel40]

I converted to Catholic as I felt I needed I the real presence of the Lord.
Originally, I was a Methodist but never felt comfortable with their Holy Communion. I had started going to the Methodist to help with their Projection and Sound system.
There aren’t enough people in the local Methodist to do the Projection and Sound, so I help them when no-one else can do it.

If I"m helping with the Projection and Sound at the Methodist Church, I go to Vigil Mass Saturday evening, at my local Catholic Church to cover my Sunday obligation.

It wouldn’t be right for me if the real presence of the Lord wasn’t there.

Personally, everytime I’m in the real presence of the Lord, I can actually feel His Spirit.

Due to this, if the wasn’t the real presence of the Lord, I wouldn’t be going. The real presence of the Lord is vital to me and my faith.

 

[OraLabora]

Without the Eucharist, the Bible verses in John make no sense. So if one can’t believe the Bible, what’s the point going to a Bible-only based Church?

I would like to point out though, that some Protestant churches do believe in the Real Presence even though their Eucharist isn’t valid. Since they do believe in it, they are not intentionally doing injury to the Eucharistic verses in John, even if their theology and sacred orders are defective. The intent is there, and if I didn’t know better or was raised in such a church, i would probably still go.

God also said when two or three assemble in His name, He is there among them, though perhaps only spiritually, not physically. On that basis I do often find it worthy to be with our Protestant brethren in prayer, even in their church, from time to time, and I do feel a particular kinship with the more liturgical Protestant churches, in particular the Anglican Church to which I have close family ties.

Never though, at the expense of my Sunday duty.

 

[Wannano]

Although many others have given a response (far better than I could), I would not go elsewhere. Even before I knew the Church’s teaching about the Eucharist, my experience was that it sustained me through the days until I received again. I cannot explain fully, all I know is that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist and that I would not give that up to return to survive on only praise and worship services.

Some of the best times of my life have been spent praying and meditating on the Word of God, in the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

Hi Avila, I appreciate your soft genuine tone in explaining that you " cannot fully explain." That actually resonates with me more than the efforts of some with red and blue ink etc.

I am trying to understand your second sentence. “Even before I knew the Church’s teaching about the Eucharist, my experience was that it sustained me through the days until I received again.” Am I understanding correctly that you were able to receive the Eucharist without knowing what the Chuch’s teaching about it was? Thanks.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Since non Catholic and non Orthodox Christians had just two sacraments I wonder how they are spiritually fed, especially since they do not have the sacrament of penance (with the priest) where they are able to receive absolution even without perfect contrition (for the love of God) which some people are unsure of.

For them the spiritual feeding comes from listening to a good sermon and being part of a church family.

 

[Vico]

For them the spiritual feeding comes from listening to a good sermon and being part of a church family.

Inspirational and social rather than the Holy Spirit, so do they consider that the inspirational is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit?

 

[ConfusedLucy]

Inspirational and social rather than the Holy Spirit, so do they consider that the inspirational is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit?

I’m not too sure about that but I know they believe that you don’t need to go to church to be Christian but if it means being supported by fellow Christians and hearing sermons that support their Christian journeys it is a very beneficial thing. I guess all Christians should believe “when two or more of you are gathered in my name” whether or not they also believe in the sacraments.

Sadly most of them have told me Catholic massses feel spiritually empty to them. I guess if they found a Catholic parish with good community and homily’s they could in time grow to understand the Eucharist.

 

[Avila123]

Hi Avila, I appreciate your soft genuine tone in explaining that you " cannot fully explain." That actually resonates with me more than the efforts of some with red and blue ink etc.

I am trying to understand your second sentence. “Even before I knew the Church’s teaching about the Eucharist, my experience was that it sustained me through the days until I received again.” Am I understanding correctly that you were able to receive the Eucharist without knowing what the Chuch’s teaching about it was? Thanks.

In answer to your question, yes. When I reverted (nearly 30 years away), RCIA was only advertised for converts. All I knew was that there was something special and I yearned to receive. Ours is not the most friendly of parishes and I was almost crippled with shame at being away so long and shyness. The Holy Spirit reminded me to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that I could receive. The priest at the time was at the end of his journey home and I didn’t know what I should ask him about the faith because I knew next to nothing and we had nearly well over two years of visiting and temporary priests.

As time passed I slowly began to learn from the mass, some courses at the cathedral and have been blessed with guidance from the Holy Spirit. For me, the Holy Eucharist is part of my love story with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Maybe the journey wasn’t quite the clear path or in the order that people expect, but when I reflect on it, I know that His plan was tailored-made for me (as it is specially tailor made for everyone).

 

[PJM]

I would go to church without the Eucharist, and I have even post-reversion, but not for God’s sake - for my neighbor’s sake. My husband’s Protestant family likes to go to church together sometimes. When necessary, I go to church with them, and either before or after I attend Mass with the Church.

However, I find church without the Blessed Sacrament increasingly wearing. The buildings are performance spaces, not sanctuaries (to what do they act as sanctuary? What is reserved there?). I spent a few years going to a Protestant church with my husband. I had just started on the sound team and asked my ministry leader, “What do you call the space up front? It’s not an altar, so what is it?” “No, it’s not an altar.” “Well, I suppose I shouldn’t call it a stage.” “No, we call it the platform.”

A platform! As even the vocabulary indicates, the practice of “church” without the Eucharist is the worship of God without sacrifice. Such a concept is not Biblical.

What Catholics do is not a properly called a ceremony. The Greek word is ἀνάμνησιν, or anamnesis, commonly translated as memorial and in the Institution narratives as remembrance; but anamnesis carries a much larger connotation than the current English usage of memorial or remembrance. Anamnesis is the literal making present of a past event. We actually participate in the one sacrifice on Calvary every time we participate in Mass. It’s the only real form of time travel… although maybe it’s more of a “wrinkle” in time than actual travel… I wouldn’t know.

Yes, a ceremony would be a symbol. It is appropriate for non-Catholics to recognize their ceremonies as symbols. But Catholic priests don’t perform a ceremony, they confect the Eucharist in an act of anamnesis. Therefore Catholics don’t witness a symbol – we join ourselves with Christ’s sacrifice, in company with the communion of saints, all of us right there at that point in time, heaven and earth, united. That’s Mass. That’s Church.

---

To add slightly to Patrick’s quotation of John 6:47, an enlightening experience I had with the limitations of translation: a Protestant friend of mine reads French pretty fluently, and has a French Bible. We were discussing John 6 one day and I was explaining to her the significance of the double-Amen as an oath form (Amen, Amen, I say to you…) We talked briefly about how insipid the “Truly, truly” English translation is, and then she pulled out her French Bible, which read, “Oui, vraiment, je vous l’assure…” or "Yes, truly, ** I assure you**…, which we agreed was a much stronger statement than Truly, truly. Anyway, just thought I’d put that out there because I found it interesting.

Well done; THANKS

 

[Wannano]

In answer to your question, yes. When I reverted (nearly 30 years away), RCIA was only advertised for converts. All I knew was that there was something special and I yearned to receive. Ours is not the most friendly of parishes and I was almost crippled with shame at being away so long and shyness. The Holy Spirit reminded me to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that I could receive. The priest at the time was at the end of his journey home and I didn’t know what I should ask him about the faith because I knew next to nothing and we had nearly well over two years of visiting and temporary priests.

As time passed I slowly began to learn from the mass, some courses at the cathedral and have been blessed with guidance from the Holy Spirit. For me, the Holy Eucharist is part of my love story with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Maybe the journey wasn’t quite the clear path or in the order that people expect, but when I reflect on it, I know that His plan was tailored-made for me (as it is specially tailor made for everyone).

Thankyou, I get the picture now. Sorry if I seemed nosy. I believe you when you say His plan for you was tailor made especially for you. I sense your relationship with God is sincere. Do you think it is at all possible that God may have a tailor made plan for an individual that does not at all encompass the Catholic Church but rather involves a relationship within the so called “Protestant” realm of fellowship?

 

[Vico]

I’m not too sure about that but I know they believe that you don’t need to go to church to be Christian but if it means being supported by fellow Christians and hearing sermons that support their Christian journeys it is a very beneficial thing. I guess all Christians should believe “when two or more of you are gathered in my name” whether or not they also believe in the sacraments.

Sadly most of them have told me Catholic masses feel spiritually empty to them. I guess if they found a Catholic parish with good community and homily’s they could in time grow to understand the Eucharist.

Sometimes in Catholic parishes there is no homily, but there are scriptural readings, and also the Catholic Mass (or various forms of Divine Liturgy of the eastern Catholics) is loaded with scriptural references. I suppose that being based upon scripture could seem empty if there was no understanding of it.