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CatholicSam
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How is that being scrupulous?
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mosher
Guest
I’m just saying that I know some people that ahve gone down the same road that you are going with reverence to the Eucharist which in an of itself is a great and meritorious thing. However, many of these well meaning catholics have ended up in some strange situations with scrupulosity concerning the distrobution of Holy Communion.
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CatholicSam
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Thanks for your concern
I think more people are in danger of the loss of heaven because of irreverance to the Holy Eucharist than in danger of scrupulously protecting Him.
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itsjustdave1988
Guest
Let’s make it a day-long briefing, shall we? You are coming from the view that the root cause is simple ignorance. I think instead that many know that they are not to partake but do so anyways. In this view, an hour-long briefing would be irrelevant and a waste of time.
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JKirkLVNV
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You understand they would have to actively intend irreverance to the Holy Eucharist, right? The theme of the thread is people who are ignorant of the Church’s discipline regarding the reception of the Sacred Species? “Irreverance” has to be intended, I think, to be culpable. I do agree with Dave’s assessment, that those bent on it are going to rec. anyway, whether we rattle off the regs. or not.Thanks for your concern
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Kielbasi
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Some undoubtably do, and as the church is so large and there are so many funerals and weddings, I guess it has to add up to “many”.
But at such events , there are people of all religious affiliations, and the protocol makes it look to the untrained eye as if receiving communion is the polite thing to do, to uninformed Jews, Hindus, etc.
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itsjustdave1988
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Yes, but this was the original context…
Appearantly, the original poster has a beef with current canon law, and implies that currently, the lack of his proposed revision is dangerous or harmful to Christ’s body in some way.
Firstly, I think he should be suggesting proposed changes to canon law “up the chain,” as lobbying a “grass roots” movement is rather contrary to how our ecclesial processes work.
Secondly, the person wants it mandatory, with the implication that this will improve something. This would get old over time, no? I mean, after a while I think the folks in the pew would say, “Yes, we know, please lets just begin the Divine Liturgy already.” He seems to want to mandate a catechesis session before ever Mass. While I’m all for better catechesis, making a mandatory session before Mass is rather micromanagerial.
Thirdly, he wants it done for EVERY Mass.
I, instead, opt for the prudence of the celebrant to decide whether it is appropriate to remind a “mixed” Mass of the canons of the Catholic Church or not. Perhaps instead a Bishop’s pastoral letter to his priest emphasizing he need to conduct such catechetical sessions would be less “over the top.”
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MatsMom
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The last funeral I attended Father announced very nicely to all that reception of the Eucharist was for properly Prepared Catholics and if anyone wanted to receive a blessing they could come forward and they were to hold a finger up to their mouth and he would bless them only. The way he worded it was better than that but basically the same thing. I did not see anyone even go forward that were not Catholic.
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tdandh26
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I have seen a lot of people say that you need to be directly irreverant for there to be any sin accrued, which very well may be the case. But, what then does Paul mean when he says, If you eat a drink without discerning the body and blood, you eat and drink damnation upon yourself. This seems to imply that it doesnt matter what your intentions are but rather what is important is correct knowledge of Truth.
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otm
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Christ is eminently capable of defending himself.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
I in no way suggest an “open season” on the Eucharist. However, I have been to plenty of weddings and funerals where it was obvious that the non Catholics (and probably some C-E Catholics) understood that they should not receive Communion.
The Church has laws, but the Church is not about laws. There is a fine line between doing what is necessary, and becoming legalistic. We need to folow the laws, but we need to understand that following the law is not ncessarily following Christ. Following Christ does not mean that one ignores the laws, but the laws are guidelines, not absolutes. Christ is the absolute. If a stray Episcopalian or Lutheran, or maybe even an Assembly of God or even a Mormon goes up and receives Communion unwittingly, I am sure that Christ, and the Holy Spirit, can deal with it. You are worrying too much about that which you need not worry. Worry instead about something important; pray to end abortions. Pray for a strengthening of marriage in the face of same sex marriage assaults and polyamory assaults.
Keep in mind that at John Paul 2’s funeral, Cardinal Ratzinger gave Communion to a Frenchman who, as far as anyone seems able to tell, was not Catholic, and was well known to JP 2 and the Cardinal. That should tell you something.
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otm
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Paul’s comment is generally accepted as meaning that if you are in a state of sin, you are not to receive Communion. It does not refer to someone who is Christian but not Catholic receiveing the Eucharist.
to begin with, everyone receiving at that time was both Christian and Catholic; we had not quite made it to the Protestant reformation…
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stbruno
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As someone who frequently attends funerals, not only do people more than likely approach Communion not in the state of grace, but many people are so unchurched, they don’t even know the appropriate times to sit, stand, kneel or give oral responses during a mass.
I think with only 25% of the faithful regularly attending mass, we can surely believe that many of the unchurched are the ones who are attending funerals. This to me is one of the best times to do a little evangelization during my homily or funeral committals. All we can do as ordained ministers is to plant seeds, and pray that some will land on fertile soil. Then I leave it up to the grace and mercy of God how people approach his table for Communion.
Pray always!
I think with only 25% of the faithful regularly attending mass, we can surely believe that many of the unchurched are the ones who are attending funerals. This to me is one of the best times to do a little evangelization during my homily or funeral committals. All we can do as ordained ministers is to plant seeds, and pray that some will land on fertile soil. Then I leave it up to the grace and mercy of God how people approach his table for Communion.
Pray always!
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JKirkLVNV
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I believe that means without examining your concscience or, having examined it, determine to rec. Holy Communion knowing that you shouldn’t. And that would be genuine irreverance.
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CatholicSam
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Are you a priest or a deacon? If so, we need more like you
Several people on this thread are saying “Christ is capable of defending himself.” Yes, of course he is, silly people! What, do you think we can destroy Him by receiving Holy Communion unworthily or something? Gees! That’s not the issue here!! I, for one, am worried about OFFENDING GOD! If someone came up to my mother and gave her a slap across the face, heck, I’d be really mad! Even though I didn’t do anything myself, and I couldn’t really have done anything to foresee what would happen so that I could intervene… I’d still be really mad that someone offended her (even if she didn’t even have bruise after all was said and done). How much more am I, and other Children of God, going to be upset when our Heavenly Father and Creator is offended!!!
And you know what? Having a lukewarm attitude is said to be even more odious to God than having a soul full of sins! So I would be pretty careful about that “Oh well, God can look out for Himself, and it’s darn silly to get upset about people receiving the Holy Eucharist who shouldn’t” attitude.
What do you think we’re called to do acts of reparation for? Offenses to God, that’s what! And if it wasn’t a big deal to God, He wouldn’t be calling us to do acts of reparation. AND, if it’s a big deal to God, it sure is a big deal to me!
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JKirkLVNV
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That isn’t what we were proposing and you know it. We’re proposing that we NOT do what you proposed and have the priest and deacon read the guidelines off to the entire congregation before Mass or at some point therein. It’s been suggested, by Michelle Arnold and others here, that it would be sufficient to refer the congregation to the guidelines that are printed in the missalettes. If the entire thing is rattled off, every week, it almost assumes a liturgical character in and of itself, and it would be jarring in the liturgy. That’s all that’s being said. We have no less a concern or reverance for the Blessed Sacrament.Are you a priest or a deacon? If so, we need more like you
Several people on this thread are saying “Christ is capable of defending himself.” Yes, of course he is, silly people! What, do you think we can destroy Him by receiving Holy Communion unworthily or something? Gees! That’s not the issue here!! I, for one, am worried about OFFENDING GOD! If someone came up to my mother and gave her a slap across the face, heck, I’d be really mad! Even though I didn’t do anything myself, and I couldn’t really have done anything to foresee what would happen so that I could intervene… I’d still be really mad that someone offended her (even if she didn’t even have bruise after all was said and done). How much more am I, and other Children of God, going to be upset when our Heavenly Father and Creator is offended!!!
And you know what? Having a lukewarm attitude is said to be even more odious to God than having a soul full of sins! So I would be pretty careful about that “Oh well, God can look out for Himself, and it’s darn silly to get upset about people receiving the Holy Eucharist who shouldn’t” attitude.
What do you think we’re called to do acts of reparation for? Offenses to God, that’s what! And if it wasn’t a big deal to God, He wouldn’t be calling us to do acts of reparation. AND, if it’s a big deal to God, it sure is a big deal to me!
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CatholicSam
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I’m sorry you’re having a hard time viewing this thread, JKirk:
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CatholicSam
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Thank you, everyone, for your responses. I have been able to gain insight into this issue through many of your posts! If you feel the need to continue the discussion, go ahead. But I have gotten from this what I was looking for, and I’ll probably be spending my time in CAF looking over other threads from now on
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stbruno
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Thanks for asking…I am a deacon and very happy to have the ability to witness frequently for the Lord. But I don’t believe that job should be relegated to the ordained alone. By our baptism, we all should share the good news of Jesus and the blessedness & sacredness of the Holy Eucharist. Keep praying without ceasing for the strength to live out the message though the grace of the Holy Spirit given to us in our Confirmation. It can happen! It did for me.
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YADA
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We must take care with our Lord. We must guard against blaspheming the Eucharist. That said, God is fully capable of protecting himself.
While traveling once, we attended Mass with Augustinian who encouraged those Catholics unable to receive at communion [for whatever reason] to approach and receive a blessing, then he encouraged those who were not catholic to do the same. This at the end of his Homily before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Basically, he paraphrased the instructions found inside the misal cover with an invitation to approach Christ in the Eucharist, make a spiritual communion and receive a blessing. Many can argue and have the individual blessings handed out during Communion (not appropriate, unnecessary, nice jesture, etc.) Not making any judgements here as to those issues.
Can tell you that for my husband and myself for very personal reasons that Mass was a turning point in our faith life for that invitaiton and other moments in the Mass. Did not see that priest again for two years. He was a member of a pilgrammge group, we took him to dinner to thank him for the profound impact he had on two visitors to his parish that he never even spoke to.
Some questions that arise in training those who minister to the homebound, etc. Our priest tells us to always remember that Jesus is not “held captive in the Tabernacle.” and we cannot injure Jesus by dropping him or other mishaps that could occur. Example question: “If you are taking the Blessed Sacrament to a hopital patient and are in a dramatic car accident, can Jesus be hurt?”
Also, having worked with the RCIA for over tenyears we have many candidates each year, married to Catholics who are or have at some time received Communion. I have often puzzeled upon their conversions and wondered if they are seeking full communion because they have feasted upon Jesus and having once received they are compelled to make the journey…their fate having been sealed by the Sacred Body touching their lips in a caress they did not even comprehend…
While traveling once, we attended Mass with Augustinian who encouraged those Catholics unable to receive at communion [for whatever reason] to approach and receive a blessing, then he encouraged those who were not catholic to do the same. This at the end of his Homily before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Basically, he paraphrased the instructions found inside the misal cover with an invitation to approach Christ in the Eucharist, make a spiritual communion and receive a blessing. Many can argue and have the individual blessings handed out during Communion (not appropriate, unnecessary, nice jesture, etc.) Not making any judgements here as to those issues.
Can tell you that for my husband and myself for very personal reasons that Mass was a turning point in our faith life for that invitaiton and other moments in the Mass. Did not see that priest again for two years. He was a member of a pilgrammge group, we took him to dinner to thank him for the profound impact he had on two visitors to his parish that he never even spoke to.
Some questions that arise in training those who minister to the homebound, etc. Our priest tells us to always remember that Jesus is not “held captive in the Tabernacle.” and we cannot injure Jesus by dropping him or other mishaps that could occur. Example question: “If you are taking the Blessed Sacrament to a hopital patient and are in a dramatic car accident, can Jesus be hurt?”
Also, having worked with the RCIA for over tenyears we have many candidates each year, married to Catholics who are or have at some time received Communion. I have often puzzeled upon their conversions and wondered if they are seeking full communion because they have feasted upon Jesus and having once received they are compelled to make the journey…their fate having been sealed by the Sacred Body touching their lips in a caress they did not even comprehend…
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mercy7
Guest
Hello All ,Last Oct. My Husband and I Were Blessed to be able to visit EWTN as Well As The Shrine With The Nuns For 7 Days .The Masses Were Incredibly Reverant And AWE Inspiring. Before Each And Every Mass A Person came To The Ambo Before the Mass And Recited the Full Guidelines For Reception of the Eucharist.Every Mass Was Respected.They Even have permanant signs out front stated the dress code! People will Be Obedient if you let them know what to expect,in our Often Times ultra PC enviroment the Boldness of the Apostle Paul is Sorely Lacking.When You Go Into any other religious setting and you are told what the requirements are ,there is no questions asked and people comply,but when it comes to OUR KING All of a sudden the pride of SATAN says I WILL NOT SERVE! Much Backbone is needed.Not one person Complained in Hanceville Ala. or Irondale,so it goes to show it CAN BE DONE. Also at Saint John Cantius in Chicago ,Same Thing is said No One Complains.Spiritual Warriors are truly needed.That"s Why This Country is in the state its in,To Busy Not Wanting to offend anyone that COMMON SENSE got thrown right out the window,Never be so opened minded that your brains fall out.Peace In Chirst,MM
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