Communion and known atheists

[josh987654321]

Jesus to Catalina - Jesus in Bold:

In Adoration - loveandmercy.org/Eng-IA-Reg.pdf

At daybreak, the Lord awoke me sometime between 5:00 and 6:00 o’clock in the early morning. He asked me to engage in prayer for those people who had profaned the Tabernacles, committing sacrileges and stealing His Precious Presence in the Consecrated Hosts.

1. I began to weep from merely thinking about it and then I was filled with terror. There began to pass before my eyes scenes of people who were destroying the Tabernacles. They were breaking into them and removing the Consecrated Hosts with their filthy hands; they were throwing them into some boxes or bags, destroying them and stepping on them.
2. They were human beings but emanating a nauseating odor, their bodies and hands covered with hair, like dark wool and they walked grimly like four-footed animals when they walk on their hind legs, half bow-legged.
3. I am unable to describe the evil that I felt at that moment, but it was horrible, physically and spiritually. I thought I was going to die of sorrow. The powerlessness and futility of asking forgiveness of the Lord, to make reparation in some way for those horrible sins, overwhelmed me and I truly felt my heart leaping from my breast. I felt my pulse beating in my whole head. I was suffocating and I was gasping for oxygen.
4. I leaped out of bed and threw myself down on my knees begging forgiveness of God for such dreadful crimes and I realized that this could only be the work of Satan, through his followers, ignorant and stupid people who let themselves get involved in Satanic groups. Only the devil can inspire committing such vile sacrilege.
5. The only thing that occurred to me while praying, was to ask the Lord, “Please, Jesus, remove Your adorable presence from those Hosts; please, Lord, do not permit them to hurt You again. I beg You with all the love of my heart.
6. “I know it is little, but it is everything I can offer You: this poor love which wishes to make reparation for everything those savages are doing. Take me and put me in that place so that they may do to me everything they intend to do to Your Most Sacred Body. You can do everything. Please, Lord, depart from there and lift Yourself up to Your Glorious Throne. Do not remain in those Hosts…”
7. In a moment I felt that I was not the only one sobbing. Someone else was weeping with me, and then it was not only the deep sobbing of one human being but also of several persons which was gradually becoming louder and louder. I realized that it was Jesus Himself who was sobbing for sorrow when He saw the sin of His children, and near Him, the Most Holy Virgin and all the Saints… I ran to put something on and went to the little chapel of the Most Blessed Sacrament to be with my beloved.
8. He was there in the Consecrated Host and I could see His Face as if imprinted on the Wafer, like the head with the Divine Face sorrowing, with the Crown of Thorns, clearly outlined on His adorable head. I thought of Judas, of the sorrow of Jesus and of the Father when His Son was going to be handed over, and at that moment the voice of Jesus reached me:

10) “Never forget, My daughter, that charity, the Love of Agape, is confirmed with works. The charity of the Father materialized in a gift: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son’ (Jn 3:16). And in turn, I, the Son, surrender My Life to show My Love.

**11) “Do not forget this moment or this teaching. When I came into the world, I changed in form from God to Man and then to slave when I washed the feet of My Apostles.

1. “Know that the Word incarnate from then on, never strayed from that attitude of service. I told you, ‘I am among you as the One who serves’, and My program of humble abandon was to bring that about even to the shedding of blood.
2. “Today I am also among you as the One who serves, but yet in a more exalted form, because I surrender My Body, My Blood and Divinity to you, to feed you, to strengthen you and to heal you.
3. “I struggled so much against the spirit of the Jews of My own time, against the Ministers of the Temple of Israel, and I ended up as you know. And even today, there are many who should be ashamed, knowing that My most cruel enemies purchase or steal the consecrated Hosts in order to perform infernal things with them.
4. “In this way, My enemies believe in My Eucharistic Presence while My friends deny as usual by their words and deeds, the continuance, this Presence of Mine in the Host duly Transubstantiated… Oh, what an enormous piece of cruelty! Tell Me, what have I done to them…? Tell Me, why do they align themselves with My enemy?
5. “You who rebel and yet belong to My Church, why do you not return to My Altars the dignity that you have stolen?**

Please continue to next post -

 

[josh987654321]

The Mercy of God Towards a Great Sinner:

Father Patrignani (Corona d’Esempi, IV. Esemp. 13, t. iv.) relates that a certain woman had committed a great many crimes, but Jesus patiently waited for her conversion. As the woman seeks the lost penny in the sweepings, so did Jesus seek this lost soul in the very midst of her sinful career. This woman at last went so far in her wickedness as to receive Holy Communion unworthily. After having received, she drew from her mouth the sacred particle and placed it in a handkerchief. She then went to shut herself up in her room, where she threw the Blessed Sacrament on the ground, and began to trample it under her feet. But lo! she casts her eyes down, and what does she see ! She sees the Sacred Host changed into the form of a beautiful Infant, but all bruised and covered with blood; and the Infant Jesus said to her:

“What have I done to you that you treat me so ill?”

Upon which the wretched creature, full of contrition and repentance, threw herself on her knees in tears, and said to Him: “O my God, dost Thou ask me what Thou hast done to me? Thou hast loved me too much.” The vision disappeared, and the woman changed her life and became a model of penance. Oh! the great patience of God in waiting for the return of the sinner.

I humbly ask that you please re-consider what you are doing Jerbear.

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[josh987654321]

It is an endemic issue, I feel; the Director of Spirituality actually jokes around, saying that at every Mass someone has their First Holy Communion.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have Mercy on us and on the whole world.

 

[josh987654321]

Eucharistic Miracle of Rome Italy, 595, Pope St. Gregory the Great (PDF: 220KB)
[edited]

Argentina -

Buenos Aires, 1992 - 1994 - 1996 (part 1) - (PDF: 1.46M)

[edited]

Buenos Aires, 1992 - 1994 - 1996 (part 2) - (PDF: 1.42M)

[edited]

Buenos Aires, 1992 - 1994 - 1996 (part 3) - (PDF: 1.25M)
[edited]

‘I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.’ (John 14:18)
Jesus to Catalina:

In Adoration - loveandmercy.org/Eng-IA-Reg.pdf

**17) “It is not the Tabernacles that are closed, but your hearts. For very few succeed in understanding how I, who am hidden and enclosed, have the freedom to reveal Myself, to make My living presence felt, there in the Host which every one of those Tabernacles encloses.

1. “My Presence can be noticed if you have open minds, hearts and souls. Whoever comes to Me receives the proofs of My Eucharistic Presence, since I cause that marvelous miracle, precisely in order to approach you, welcome you, and console you who suffer from the life that is passing.”**

The Mercy of God Towards a Great Sinner:

Father Patrignani (Corona d’Esempi, IV. Esemp. 13, t. iv.) relates that a certain woman had committed a great many crimes, but Jesus patiently waited for her conversion. As the woman seeks the lost penny in the sweepings, so did Jesus seek this lost soul in the very midst of her sinful career. This woman at last went so far in her wickedness as to receive Holy Communion unworthily. After having received, she drew from her mouth the sacred particle and placed it in a handkerchief. She then went to shut herself up in her room, where she threw the Blessed Sacrament on the ground, and began to trample it under her feet. But lo! she casts her eyes down, and what does she see ! She sees the Sacred Host changed into the form of a beautiful Infant, but all bruised and covered with blood; and the Infant Jesus said to her:

“What have I done to you that you treat me so ill?”

Upon which the wretched creature, full of contrition and repentance, threw herself on her knees in tears, and said to Him: “O my God, dost Thou ask me what Thou hast done to me? Thou hast loved me too much.” The vision disappeared, and the woman changed her life and became a model of penance. Oh! the great patience of God in waiting for the return of the sinner.

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[recentrevert]

You may not give the host to known atheists or those who are living openly in mortal sin. Your priest may have a problem with you making those decisions and in that case you should respectfully refuse to be an EMHC anymore. I would report this woman to the priest and if he agrees with her or doesn’t put a stop to it report them both to the bishop. Tell the bishop you were instructed to give communion to known atheists. If the bishop denies that this is wrong report him to Rome. Most importantly stop being an EMHC if you do not have the fortitude to refuse communion, or if the priest objects to you refusing communion.

 

[Adonia]

Personally, I am an atheist and take communion when I do go to Church with my parents. Yes, I know that it is against your faith and everything, I understand that and that so don’t waste telling me to stop. What I’m getting at is that I am an atheist and was raised in a very devout Catholic household, everyone else in my family remains devout to this day. My family has absolutely no clue about my true beliefs since I keep it from them due to fear of how they would react and how it would affect our relationship. When I am home I go to mass like always and sing the hymns and everything.

I know that you think you should report it due to the fact that you think it is immoral to receive communion when you are not Catholic but is there any chance the kid is in the same boat as I am? You know that he is an atheist and he probably knows that you do too so when you said “Body of Christ” he responds back with “yea, whatever” cus between the two of you, you both know that he thinks it’s a total lie. But does his own family know? Does he go along to church with his family who does not know about his atheism? If they do not know then I understand that in your eyes he still should not be receiving communion, but he might also be doing it to keep up appearances for his family. If they do not know and he continues, I think the best thing would be to try and help him out coming out about his atheism to his family if that is the problem. If they do know then I don’t know what to tell ya.

You have no sense honor to keep perpetuating this lie to of your parents. Grow up and be truthful as to who you are and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Adonia]

Greetings all. I’m feeling a little bit guilty at the moment, and need some advice. I am an EMHC at both my local parish and my school. I never have any problems at my parish, everyone shows the proper reverence towards the Blessed Body and Precious Blood of Our Lord. But at my school… we are in the Christian Brothers tradition, very inclusive, very liberal. I was instructed by the director of spirituality that I was to distribute spirituality to all who come forward to receive it. That shocked me, I would be ready to lay down my life for the Blessed Sacraments, and yet she is saying that all can take it… anyway, we were at a school Mass (the Mass itself was lovely, but the priest was a little bit odd, there was a SIGNIFICANT liturgical abuse that I will not even mention), and I was standing next to this director of spirituality, both of us distributing the Body of Christ.

A boy who I KNOW is an atheist came to me. It shocked me at first, I said “The Body of Christ”, he replied, “Ah, yeah, okay.” I looked towards this teacher, she just nodded her head, and gestured that I should give him the Communion. It was heart wrenching to give Our Lord to him, but I didn’t want to cause a fuss, or offend either the student or the teacher. His parents were there as well.

After the Mass, he commented on how badly the wafer had tasted. I was gobsmacked. Some pimply, stupid little boy commenting on the accident of the bread, when he had just received the Body of Christ. I became quite upset and angry, at myself, the student, and the teacher. How should I have acted in this situation? Should I confess it to my parish priest?

You need to stand up for what is right and not give the Holy Eucharist to non-believers. Like many have said here, the Bishops needs to be informed of what is going on, but at the very least you have the power to refuse communion to those you know are not practicing Catholics. And if you cannot do the right thing, you should refrain from being a EMHO.

 

[josh987654321]

Greetings all. I’m feeling a little bit guilty at the moment, and need some advice. I am an EMHC at both my local parish and my school. I never have any problems at my parish, everyone shows the proper reverence towards the Blessed Body and Precious Blood of Our Lord. But at my school… we are in the Christian Brothers tradition, very inclusive, very liberal. I was instructed by the director of spirituality that I was to distribute spirituality to all who come forward to receive it. That shocked me, I would be ready to lay down my life for the Blessed Sacraments, and yet she is saying that all can take it… anyway, we were at a school Mass (the Mass itself was lovely, but the priest was a little bit odd, there was a SIGNIFICANT liturgical abuse that I will not even mention), and I was standing next to this director of spirituality, both of us distributing the Body of Christ.

A boy who I KNOW is an atheist came to me. It shocked me at first, I said “The Body of Christ”, he replied, “Ah, yeah, okay.” I looked towards this teacher, she just nodded her head, and gestured that I should give him the Communion. It was heart wrenching to give Our Lord to him, but I didn’t want to cause a fuss, or offend either the student or the teacher. His parents were there as well.

After the Mass, he commented on how badly the wafer had tasted. I was gobsmacked. Some pimply, stupid little boy commenting on the accident of the bread, when he had just received the Body of Christ. I became quite upset and angry, at myself, the student, and the teacher. How should I have acted in this situation? Should I confess it to my parish priest?

I would confess it. I am glad you have come here Water of Life, I agree with the other posters, however I would not advise you to resign from being an EMHC, because I am glad someone is there that will chase these money changers from the temples or advise someone who will. I would instead advise you to now approach the role with confidence, the confidence that next time anyone tries to pressure you to do something wrong like that, you will say with confidence no, regardless of whatever scene they may wish to make, don’t fear, don’t back down, stand with confidence in the Lord seeking only to please Him, you have right on your side.

God Bless You

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[QuestLove]

Personally, I am an atheist and take communion when I do go to Church with my parents. Yes, I know that it is against your faith and everything, I understand that and that so don’t waste telling me to stop. What I’m getting at is that I am an atheist and was raised in a very devout Catholic household, everyone else in my family remains devout to this day. My family has absolutely no clue about my true beliefs since I keep it from them due to fear of how they would react and how it would affect our relationship. When I am home I go to mass like always and sing the hymns and everything.

I know that you think you should report it due to the fact that you think it is immoral to receive communion when you are not Catholic but is there any chance the kid is in the same boat as I am? You know that he is an atheist and he probably knows that you do too so when you said “Body of Christ” he responds back with “yea, whatever” cus between the two of you, you both know that he thinks it’s a total lie. But does his own family know? Does he go along to church with his family who does not know about his atheism? If they do not know then I understand that in your eyes he still should not be receiving communion, but he might also be doing it to keep up appearances for his family. If they do not know and he continues, I think the best thing would be to try and help him out coming out about his atheism to his family if that is the problem. If they do know then I don’t know what to tell ya.

Yes.
I have friends (Christians and Muslims) who have not come out to their friends and family about their atheism/unbelief etc. so they pretend when they are around them.
To the OP, this definitely could be such a case and you know something about him his parents don’t. If he is your friend or aquaintance maybe you can find ou what’s happening to him. Is he atheist, questioning etc.? Sometimes you would be surprised in what is going on in these students’ minds that they are unable to discuss with their parents.

 

[Water_of_Life]

I am afraid to ask what a “Director of Spirituality” is. Yes, talk to your parish priest. Disrespect to the Eucharist is a very serious matter.

This is no laughing matter, but I couldn’t help it reading that first sentence… she is a nice, devout lady, but is very “spirit of Vatican II”. My school is in the Edmund Rice tradition, and we perform social justice magnificently… however, catechism is not taught, reverence is not required by any means, and we have become very political in the past few years. We have no brothers left, and our Masses are said by a hospital chaplain who kindly donates his time. I will talk to my priest this weekend, just to get his opinion on the matter.

Yes.
I have friends (Christians and Muslims) who have not come out to their friends and family about their atheism/unbelief etc. so they pretend when they are around them.
To the OP, this definitely could be such a case and you know something about him his parents don’t. If he is your friend or aquaintance maybe you can find ou what’s happening to him. Is he atheist, questioning etc.? Sometimes you would be surprised in what is going on in these students’ minds that they are unable to discuss with their parents.

I’m in Australia; one of the most liberal countries in the world. The state of the Holy Church here is not the best… I attend a Catholic boys school, and even so around half of the students are professed non believers. I talked to him yesterday, and his parents know of his atheism. I just don’t know what to do, when at a Catholic school an openly lesbian teacher tells me that she hates God.

I will confess this next saturday, just to be safe. I am distributing Holy Communion this friday at Mass, and I will ensure that I refuse to distribute the Body of our Most Holy Lord to those who I know to be atheist. My personal motto is from Psalm 118. It is a lifeline to cling to, in this misguided world.

With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?
The Lord is on my side to help me;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

 

[sw85]

Greetings all. I’m feeling a little bit guilty at the moment, and need some advice. I am an EMHC at both my local parish and my school. I never have any problems at my parish, everyone shows the proper reverence towards the Blessed Body and Precious Blood of Our Lord. But at my school… we are in the Christian Brothers tradition, very inclusive, very liberal. I was instructed by the director of spirituality that I was to distribute spirituality to all who come forward to receive it. That shocked me, I would be ready to lay down my life for the Blessed Sacraments, and yet she is saying that all can take it… anyway, we were at a school Mass (the Mass itself was lovely, but the priest was a little bit odd, there was a SIGNIFICANT liturgical abuse that I will not even mention), and I was standing next to this director of spirituality, both of us distributing the Body of Christ.

A boy who I KNOW is an atheist came to me. It shocked me at first, I said “The Body of Christ”, he replied, “Ah, yeah, okay.” I looked towards this teacher, she just nodded her head, and gestured that I should give him the Communion. It was heart wrenching to give Our Lord to him, but I didn’t want to cause a fuss, or offend either the student or the teacher. His parents were there as well.

After the Mass, he commented on how badly the wafer had tasted. I was gobsmacked. Some pimply, stupid little boy commenting on the accident of the bread, when he had just received the Body of Christ. I became quite upset and angry, at myself, the student, and the teacher. How should I have acted in this situation? Should I confess it to my parish priest?

Canon law obliges pastors to refrain from administering communion to those who are known publicly to be outside communion with the Church. Whether or not any particular person is outside communion with the Church is a judgment to be made and enforced by the pastor, not by EMHCs.

Let me reiterate this: in contrast to the advice given you by others in this thread, you do not have the authority to unilaterally withhold communion, especially if you are explicitly instructed to administer communion to all comers.

Your only real option to protest to the pastor and ask that steps be taken to enunciate clearly the requirements for receiving communion. If, after that, no such steps are taken and you feel you cannot in good conscience continue as an EMHC (and I would endorse that judgment), then you should resign from that position.

As for whether or not you need to go to confession, that’s between you and your confessor, but I would propose that thinking of someone as a stupid, pimply little boy might well run afoul of basic expectations of charity.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Greetings all. I’m feeling a little bit guilty at the moment, and need some advice. I am an EMHC at both my local parish and my school. I never have any problems at my parish, everyone shows the proper reverence towards the Blessed Body and Precious Blood of Our Lord. But at my school… we are in the Christian Brothers tradition, very inclusive, very liberal. I was instructed by the director of spirituality that I was to distribute spirituality to all who come forward to receive it. That shocked me, I would be ready to lay down my life for the Blessed Sacraments, and yet she is saying that all can take it… anyway, we were at a school Mass (the Mass itself was lovely, but the priest was a little bit odd, there was a SIGNIFICANT liturgical abuse that I will not even mention), and I was standing next to this director of spirituality, both of us distributing the Body of Christ.

A boy who I KNOW is an atheist came to me. It shocked me at first, I said “The Body of Christ”, he replied, “Ah, yeah, okay.” I looked towards this teacher, she just nodded her head, and gestured that I should give him the Communion. It was heart wrenching to give Our Lord to him, but I didn’t want to cause a fuss, or offend either the student or the teacher. His parents were there as well.

After the Mass, he commented on how badly the wafer had tasted. I was gobsmacked. Some pimply, stupid little boy commenting on the accident of the bread, when he had just received the Body of Christ. I became quite upset and angry, at myself, the student, and the teacher. How should I have acted in this situation? Should I confess it to my parish priest?

I suppose you should mention it at Confession and ask what to do, but I was under the impression that only clergy (maybe only priests) could refuse someone Communion.

 

[robwar]

Thank you to everyone for your responses; I pray that God guides me as I address this issue.

It is an endemic issue, I feel; the Director of Spirituality actually jokes around, saying that at every Mass someone has their First Holy Communion. Our usual priest is a lovely man, who I’m sure has no idea about these abuses. My parents wouldn’t care, at all. Perhaps I should talk to my parish priest about the matter?

I think I would be frank with the priest and maybe consider either changing parishes or stepping down from EMCH. If the priest blows you off, then you might have enough evidence about the sacrilege to go to the Bishop but you must start to document everything. What happen, when, who said what, what you have been instructed to do or not to and when you met with the priest and what he said. But you must start with your priest.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Thank you to everyone for your responses; I pray that God guides me as I address this issue.

It is an endemic issue, I feel; the Director of Spirituality actually jokes around, saying that at every Mass someone has their First Holy Communion. Our usual priest is a lovely man, who I’m sure has no idea about these abuses. My parents wouldn’t care, at all. Perhaps I should talk to my parish priest about the matter?

Well, if there’s more to it than just your concern in the one case with the pimply, arrogant boy, then yes you should tell the proper Church authorities as Paul from Iowa noted.

Unfortunately, such abuse is quite common and the forums only reinforce that. (

I really wish at every mass they would announce who can and cannot receive Communion. The little passage tucked away in books in the pews is not going to help much at all.

It could be the case that his parents want him to take Communion and may even be in denial about his stance on religion. It probably wouldn’t be the first time, either.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I think I would be frank with the priest and maybe consider either changing parishes or stepping down from EMCH. If the priest blows you off, then you might have enough evidence about the sacrilege to go to the Bishop but you must start to document everything. What happen, when, who said what, what you have been instructed to do or not to and when you met with the priest and what he said. But you must start with your priest.

Agreed. Everything must be documented. Literally—write this stuff down. :yup:

You’ve got my support!

 

[robwar]

I am sorry for my previous long post, I know it might have come off as being hostile and disrespectful but I felt I had to and was being disrespected myself. To be honest I had never considered not taking communion at all, no one in my family’s parish just doesn’t accept communion. As I said, I know I shouldn’t and I will admit that I feel guilty about doing so. When I was growing up and all the way thru college I had never heard of people not taking communion because they weren’t in a state of grace and needed to confess before doing so, everyone I know has always said that they recommend going to confession twice a year, once before easter and christmas.

I don’t mean it to sound like I purposefully disgrace the faith. I agree that it would be wrong to mess with a Buddah statue just as it would be wrong to rip or burn the Bible or the Koran, etc. I do try to respect the Catholic faith and whoevers faith whenever I can do so, but like I said I had never considered that as an idea since I had never heard that growing up and never seen it done.

Thank you for the post and advice.

I think you need to be honest with your family and not present yourself for communion when you are visiting them and attend Mass with them. It is as simple as that. Doing what you are doing is continuing the charade which is the long run isn’t honest for all involved. Since you are an adult now, your belief or non-belief is your choice.

 

[FathersKnowBest]

Oh! Jerbear … if only you knew what you are doing.

Jerbear, I want you to call to mind the person in your life who you love the most, now I want you to imagine me abusing them and than saying to you “Yes, I know that it hurts you Jerbear to hear about me treating your beloved this way, I understand that, so don’t waste your time telling me to stop.”

I’m sure you would tell me, that if I really understood how it hurt you, than I wouldn’t be doing it. This is why Richard_White reacted the way he did.

Very good post.
And then to hear a defense of “well, I only do it once or twice a year.” Add that to the analogy above.

It angers us , and makes us sad. :imsorry:

 

[josh987654321]

I’m sorry that I offend you and that I cause you great anger,

May I ask, do you know why? It is because you are doing something that hurts us and you said “I understand” and than you said “Don’t waste time telling me to stop” which appears to us to be a flippant *"I don’t give a ***, I’ll do it anyway and you can’t stop me." You didn’t say that and you may not be thinking anything like that, but it does certainly look like that.

The reactions would have be incredibly different if you had said something along the lines of “I know it’s against your faith and I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to do, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place etc” In which case we want to help you.

I posted that I knew I was in the wrong and that I shouldn’t have taken communion and was just trying to offer some advice as to a simple possibility, that is all. I owned up to my own wrong-doings and tried to offer help and insight to the original post in the thread. If I offend you because of something I do literally less than a handful of times each year, which I don’t see as being anything special, in order to not be shunned by my family then I will offend you.

Again, replace it with me abusing someone you love and read it back to yourself.

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[josh987654321]

Very good post.
And then to hear a defense of “well, I only do it once or twice a year.” Add that to the analogy above.

It angers us , and makes us sad. :imsorry:

Thank you :sad_yes:

 

[Vico]

Greetings all. I’m feeling a little bit guilty at the moment, and need some advice. I am an EMHC at both my local parish and my school. I never have any problems at my parish, everyone shows the proper reverence towards the Blessed Body and Precious Blood of Our Lord. But at my school… we are in the Christian Brothers tradition, very inclusive, very liberal. I was instructed by the director of spirituality that I was to distribute spirituality to all who come forward to receive it. That shocked me, I would be ready to lay down my life for the Blessed Sacraments, and yet she is saying that all can take it… anyway, we were at a school Mass (the Mass itself was lovely, but the priest was a little bit odd, there was a SIGNIFICANT liturgical abuse that I will not even mention), and I was standing next to this director of spirituality, both of us distributing the Body of Christ.

A boy who I KNOW is an atheist came to me. It shocked me at first, I said “The Body of Christ”, he replied, “Ah, yeah, okay.” I looked towards this teacher, she just nodded her head, and gestured that I should give him the Communion. It was heart wrenching to give Our Lord to him, but I didn’t want to cause a fuss, or offend either the student or the teacher. His parents were there as well.

After the Mass, he commented on how badly the wafer had tasted. I was gobsmacked. Some pimply, stupid little boy commenting on the accident of the bread, when he had just received the Body of Christ. I became quite upset and angry, at myself, the student, and the teacher. How should I have acted in this situation? Should I confess it to my parish priest?

… Yea, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, grant that the partaking of Thine immaculate and life-giving mysteries may not be to my condemnation, nor may I become infirm in soul and body by receiving unworthily thereof, but grant that even unto my last breath, I may partake of a portion of Thy holy things without condemnation, unto the communion of the Holy Spirit, as a provision for eternal life, and for a good defense at Thy fearful judgment seat; so that I, as a partner with all Thine elect, may also receive those undefiled good things which Thou hast prepared for them that love Thee, O Lord, in whom Thou are glorified forever. Amen. – St. Basil The Great