Protecting the Eucharist

[CatholicSam]

I recently posted a question to Ask an Apologist, the answer to which left me with many questions still unanswered. Here is my question and the response given to me by Michelle Arnold. She mentions that the guidelines for receiving Holy Communion are lengthy. The link to the guidelines she provides is more of an explanation and “feel-good fluff” rather than a list of requirements, which would take up much less time and space.

At any rate, isn’t it worth it to read a long list of guidelines for *an hour * (if that’s what it takes–in reality it would take probably no longer than one minute) rather than to take the chance of someone who couldn’t be bothered to read it for themselves sacreligiously receiving the Body and Blood of Our Lord??? Martyrs have died over this, so shouldn’t we be willing to take whatever time it takes to spell it out for all present, especially at weddings, funerals, etc., who can and cannot receive the Eucharist? Michelle Arnold mentioned that it would be a good idea for the priest/deacon to refer the congregation to the missalette for information on the guidelines for receiving Communion. But my question was “Why is it not a law” to do so?

I went to a funeral yesterday and was so apprehensive about the non-Catholics unknowingly going up for Holy Communion, not knowing any better. I know in that case, I am sure they would not be guilty because they didn’t know they were not to receive. Why can’t we just make a general announcement before every Mass, just to be sure?

And if it’s such a big deal to spend a minute or two reading the guidelines before Mass/Communion Services, then have it plastered in big, bold print on the church doors that there ARE guidelines for receiving the Eucharist, and they can be found on page x in the missalettes in such-and-such location? Why do we not have the same zeal for protecting Jesus by doing these simple, easy things as did the Martyrs who shed their blood for Him present in the Eucharist?

Finally, when referring to Jesus/God, I always use a capital “H” for Him, His, He, etc. I’m sorry that it was edited to be a little h, Lord. Please, I don’t want anyone to take this as a criticism of the apologists. I’m only looking for answers, and I guess I wasn’t clear about what my question was in my original post.

Thank you in advance,

 

[Della]

While I certainly applaud your zeal, I think it is a bit misguided. It’s not as serious a matter as you make it out to be, as you yourself cited when you mentioned people receiving without understanding what they are doing.

God judges the intentions of the human heart in this matter as in all others. If a person unwittingly receives who shouldn’t they have incurred no guilt by reason of their ignorance. And if they receive thinking they are just doing a good, religious thing, they certainly didn’t mean to violate the body and blood of Christ.

A clue for you about such matters–if your priests aren’t all worried about it, then 99% of the time neither should you be. Let them do their duty towards those who come to your parish in this regard and let it go. Don’t worry about what others are doing at Mass only about the state of your own soul’s preparedness (as all Catholics ought to) to receive.

 

[CatholicSam]

Thank you for your reply, Della. You make a wonderful point. I still think something is amiss with the situation, though. While the “ignorant” are not sinning, the Holy Eucharist still isn’t receiving the respect it ought. Similarly, I think priests and deacons should make a bigger deal about modest dress. No, it doesn’t have to be “fancy”, just modest. I wish everyone could understand that they are essentially face to face with Jesus when they come to church! Thanks for listening to me

 

[JKirkLVNV]

I read Michelle’s response to you and I thought that was adequate, ie., at the announcements (which I wish were BEFORE Mass) the celebrant or deacon or even a layman giving the announcements could say, “The guidelines for reception of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church can be found on page such and such in the Missalette. We rejoice that our guests are with us today, but please be respectful our Church teachings on the subject of this, the source and summit of our faith.” I don’t think they should go through it line for line.

I do agree with you about modesty.

 

[mosher]

CatholicSam:

Thank you for your reply, Della. You make a wonderful point. I still think something is amiss with the situation, though. While the “ignorant” are not sinning, the Holy Eucharist still isn’t receiving the respect it ought. Similarly, I think priests and deacons should make a bigger deal about modest dress. No, it doesn’t have to be “fancy”, just modest. I wish everyone could understand that they are essentially face to face with Jesus when they come to church! Thanks for listening to me

I agree with you on poth points but it is essentially the responsibility of the priest. Many good priests will make a note about what you are saying at masses they know will have people of other faiths present such as weddings and funnerals.

Modesty needs to be preached more but again it is the responsibility of the priest. I suggest taking up these questions with your priest and see what he has to say about your concerns.

 

[Della]

CatholicSam:

Thank you for your reply, Della. You make a wonderful point. I still think something is amiss with the situation, though. While the “ignorant” are not sinning, the Holy Eucharist still isn’t receiving the respect it ought. Similarly, I think priests and deacons should make a bigger deal about modest dress. No, it doesn’t have to be “fancy”, just modest. I wish everyone could understand that they are essentially face to face with Jesus when they come to church! Thanks for listening to me

Our priests have to walk a fine line between correctness in all things and alienating people in our day when all people care about is how going to church makes them feel and unfairly judge everything according to how “kind” (read non-confrontational) others are. This doesn’t mean priests and deacons shouldn’t say anything, but they also have to judge when saying something will be effective rather than send vulnerable people away. It’s like Paul advising those who understood that eating meat to idols means nothing to refrain from doing it in front of those with weaker consciences. Let us pray for our priests and deacons in their efforts to both help the weak as well as minister to the strong.

 

[CatholicSam]

JKirkLVNV:

I read Michelle’s response to you and I thought that was adequate, ie., at the announcements (which I wish were BEFORE Mass) the celebrant or deacon or even a layman giving the announcements could say, “The guidelines for reception of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church can be found on page such and such in the Missalette. We rejoice that our guests are with us today, but please be respectful our Church teachings on the subject of this, the source and summit of our faith.” I don’t think they should go through it line for line.

I do agree with you about modesty.

I agree with your point of view on this subject, JKirkLVNV, but my question was “Why is it not law” for the priests and deacons to point out these guidelines? My question was NOT “What can priests and deacons do” which seems to be the question she answered.

Mosher, yes it is the responsibility of the priest, but I think it should be law that at least at special event masses the priests and deacons MUST at least direct the attendees to the guidelines. And this should not be a tiny micro-script at the bottom of the back cover of the funeral program. It should be front and center–and in bold too

But who am I to decide what should or should not be law? NOBODY!!! So I’ll just pray over this and see where the Holy Spirit guides me. Thanks for all of your replies.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

CatholicSam:

I agree with your point of view on this subject, JKirkLVNV, but my question was “Why is it not law” for the priests and deacons to point out these guidelines? My question was NOT “What can priests and deacons do” which seems to be the question she answered.

Mosher, yes it is the responsibility of the priest, but I think it should be law that at least at special event masses the priests and deacons MUST at least direct the attendees to the guidelines. And this should not be a tiny micro-script at the bottom of the back cover of the funeral program. It should be front and center–and in bold too

But who am I to decide what should or should not be law? NOBODY!!! So I’ll just pray over this and see where the Holy Spirit guides me. Thanks for all of your replies.

Well, you could speak to your bishop or I guess even the USCB and suggest it to them.

 

[CatholicSam]

Della:

Our priests have to walk a fine line between correctness in all things and alienating people in our day when all people care about is how going to church makes them feel and unfairly judge everything according to how “kind” (read non-confrontational) others are. This doesn’t mean priests and deacons shouldn’t say anything, but they also have to judge when saying something will be effective rather than send vulnerable people away. It’s like Paul advising those who understood that eating meat to idols means nothing to refrain from doing it in front of those with weaker consciences. Let us pray for our priests and deacons in their efforts to both help the weak as well as minister to the strong.

Our priests have such a hard job cut out for them! We really do need to pray for them, very much! Yesterday I came across this website, apparently in line with the Vatican, while I was reading things on CAF: Three Secret Strategies of Satan That third secret strategy seems to be working overtime these days

 

[Della]

CatholicSam:

Our priests have such a hard job cut out for them! We really do need to pray for them, very much! Yesterday I came across this website, apparently in line with the Vatican, while I was reading things on CAF: Three Secret Strategies of Satan That third secret strategy seems to be working overtime these days

Ah yes, a long harangue about not compromising the truth. All fine and good, but there is a danger in reading things that stimulate some area of our lives that we already are inclined to be overly zealous/concerned about. It can lead us into becoming, in this case, Pharisaical. Remember the Pharisee and the Publican? Remember what Jesus said about their attitudes? This is more important for you and I to think about than who should be receiving the Eucharist and who we think shouldn’t be, etc. It’s not that we cannot/should not care, but if it becomes a stumblingblock to charity or makes us feel in any way superior to others, we ought to avoid it and let those who have been ordained to deal with it, deal with it. Let us put our hearts and minds on the love of God and neighbor and so not fall into this trap.

 

[CatholicSam]

It’s not that I feel superior to non-Catholics or others who should not receive Communion. I feel extraordinarily blessed and amazed that I am given the gift of the Eucharist. My concern lies with defending Christ. I wish the priests and deacons would make an announcement before Mass, as a previous poster suggested, that was not aggressive, but which pointed everyone in the direction of the guidelines. But wishing isn’t going to do any good Praying will though!

 

[mosher]

You should address a letter to the CDW and see what their response is to your question. I am sure that you will get an interesting response.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

CatholicSam:

My concern lies with defending Christ. !

You know, I’ve heard that a lot on these forums and I certainly can see that. But Christ is God. He isn’t without defense, He is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Holy One. I think we can trust that He can manage things. I’ve heard the same “defending Christ” argument made against reception in the hand (allowed by the Church) and reception of the Most Precious Blood (allowed and even encouraged by the Church). Obviously, we want the Blessed Sacrament respected, but we cannot guarantee anthing. We should caution people, but the only way to make 100% certain that no one who shouldn’t rec. Holy Communion doesn’t rec. Holy Communion would be for the priest to give a token to everyone who came to confession the Saturday before (because Catholics in mortal sin aren’t supposed to rec. either and that’s got to be as offensive as some poor Protestant who is ill-informed of the protocol), then the communicants drop the token in the basket at his feet as he communicates them (or something like that). We can protect Him in the Tabernacle to one degree or another, but if someone wants to get at Him bad enough in the communion line, they can probably pull it off (here I’m talking about someone interested in committing deliberate sacriledge).

 

[CatholicSam]

mosher:

You should address a letter to the CDW and see what their response is to your question. I am sure that you will get an interesting response.

What is the CDW?

 

[Kielbasi]

so shouldn’t we be willing to take whatever time it takes to spell it out for all present, especially at weddings, funerals, etc., who can and cannot receive the Eucharist?

I don’t know the answer to the problem, but you definitely have a point.

To a non-catholic in attendance at a wedding or funeral , it definitely can appear as if the polite thing to do would be to approach the altar and receive communion. You really can’t blame folks for trying to be courteous.

I’ve personally taken an aisle seat at a wedding I attended with a hindu guest and that is good body language.

I don’t know if written materials on the communion rite rubrics in the missalettes is really that effective, particularly as folks don’t always read them, they arrive at the last moment before the event as they may have had problems finding the place, once they get there finding their seat and seeing who else is there.

 

[mosher]

CatholicSam:

What is the CDW?

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It is the curial arm that deals with all things liturgical.

 

[Frankie]

Our FSSP priest always announces before the start of a Mass where there are non-Catholics (weddings, funerals…), “Only Catholics in a state of grace are permitted to receive Holy Communion and here we receive Holy Communion on the tongue, whilst kneeling.” Plain and simple.

We do no one any favours by not making clear who may receive the Eucharist, because those who are ineligible will not benefit by receiving Our Lord, but do themselves harm.

I was at a funeral recently where no one seemed to know the responses or the forms for kneeling, standing, etc; but everyone trooped up to receive Communion. The priest could have easily made an announcement but didn’t. I think this is criminally negligent, personally.

 

[Kielbasi]

Our FSSP priest always announces before the start of a Mass where there are non-Catholics (weddings, funerals…), “Only Catholics in a state of grace are permitted to receive Holy Communion and here we receive Holy Communion on the tongue, whilst kneeling.” Plain and simple.

Well, does it work, are people paying attention and understanding?

 

[CatholicSam]

Frankie:

Our FSSP priest always announces before the start of a Mass where there are non-Catholics (weddings, funerals…), “Only Catholics in a state of grace are permitted to receive Holy Communion and here we receive Holy Communion on the tongue, whilst kneeling.” Plain and simple.

We do no one any favours by not making clear who may receive the Eucharist, because those who are ineligible will not benefit by receiving Our Lord, but do themselves harm.

I was at a funeral recently where no one seemed to know the responses or the forms for kneeling, standing, etc; but everyone trooped up to receive Communion. The priest could have easily made an announcement but didn’t. I think this is criminally negligent, personally.

As for the late-comers, maybe a short little announcement like that right before everyone comes up for Communion would be most effective. We have been given the Ultimate gift in the Holy Eucharist, and protecting this Sublime Treasure is the very least we can do.

I will write a letter… probably to my Archbishop and the CDW (anyone have an address for them?), and maybe even the Holy Father himself.

Another problem that really bothers me: The use of those very big hosts that are broken up into many little pieces. I have seen fragments of *consecrated * host go flying in all directions when the priest breaks it up. It’s not the priests’ fault–it’s just what happens when the host is broken. I have even seen particles fall to the ground, and when receiving those broken hosts in the hand, sometimes I would see little particles stuck onto my hand. Imagine if I didn’t see them and went to wash my hands or tie my shoelaces? I have since stopped receiving in the hand. I know that these big hosts are very symbolic, with everyone getting a piece of the one big host. But this isn’t worth risking desecration of the Eucharist. I asked this question to Ask and Apologist several days ago, but they didn’t reply.

 

[mosher]

As for the late-comers, maybe a short little announcement like that right before everyone comes up for Communion would be most effective. We have been given the Ultimate gift in the Holy Eucharist, and protecting this Sublime Treasure is the very least we can do.

I will write a letter… probably to my Archbishop and the CDW (anyone have an address for them?), and maybe even the Holy Father himself.

Another problem that really bothers me: The use of those very big hosts that are broken up into many little pieces. I have seen fragments of *consecrated * host go flying in all directions when the priest breaks it up. It’s not the priests’ fault–it’s just what happens when the host is broken. I have even seen particles fall to the ground, and when receiving those broken hosts in the hand, sometimes I would see little particles stuck onto my hand. Imagine if I didn’t see them and went to wash my hands or tie my shoelaces? I have since stopped receiving in the hand. I know that these big hosts are very symbolic, with everyone getting a piece of the one big host. But this isn’t worth risking desecration of the Eucharist. I asked this question to Ask and Apologist several days ago, but they didn’t reply.

Just be careful to not get too scrupulous.