The Eucharist and my stress

[Being_Brave]

I don’t take Communion at Mass because I know that I am in no way, in any shape to do so (still going through RCIA, too). Since I began attending Mass and learning just how important Eucharist is, I’ve started getting butterflies at that point in the service.

I know it’s me overreacting, but I am terrified that Christ is going to hit the floor - literally. I hold my breath when ANYONE is around it…even the priest! The man has dedicated his whole life to Our Lord, and I still can’t help but think he’s going to get startled by a sneeze or one of the kids is going to trip and poof, there it goes all over the table and floor.

Nervous is putting it delicately. I know it’s irrational, and it really isn’t ruining my experience at Mass, but it’s definitely something I think about. I laugh at myself sometimes because I do quit breathing and I know that anyone who looks at me would see the stress in my face.

What would happen if he did spill it on the floor? What happens to the white napkins they wipe the rim of the wine with? I know that the bread that isn’t used is put back into the tabernacle, so is that just used first next time? What kind of wine is used? A particular brand, or made in a particular way?

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I don’t take Communion at Mass because I know that I am in no way, in any shape to do so (still going through RCIA, too). Since I began attending Mass and learning just how important Eucharist is, I’ve started getting butterflies at that point in the service.

I know it’s me overreacting, but I am terrified that Christ is going to hit the floor - literally. I hold my breath when ANYONE is around it…even the priest! The man has dedicated his whole life to Our Lord, and I still can’t help but think he’s going to get startled by a sneeze or one of the kids is going to trip and poof, there it goes all over the table and floor.

Nervous is putting it delicately. I know it’s irrational, and it really isn’t ruining my experience at Mass, but it’s definitely something I think about. I laugh at myself sometimes because I do quit breathing and I know that anyone who looks at me would see the stress in my face.

What would happen if he did spill it on the floor? What happens to the white napkins they wipe the rim of the wine with? I know that the bread that isn’t used is put back into the tabernacle, so is that just used first next time? What kind of wine is used? A particular brand, or made in a particular way?

Please, please discuss this with your priest or catechist. I’m sure they’ll allay your fears. You say you’re going through RCIA. But, you say in your profile that you’re a Baptist-Catholic. So, not wanting to add to your worries you shouldn’t be going through RCIA. However, that’s a technicality and really a moot point here and down to the way your Catholic parish does things. It isn’t anything you’re doing wrong. If you’re/were a Baptist were you baptised? If not I think you’ll have to be baptised before you can take Communion. If you were baptised then it’s more than likely the Catholic Church will see your baptism as valid so you’ll be received into the Catholic Church through the process of reception of baptised Christians into the catholic Church. Whichever, you post isn’t clear on these matters (but don’t worry about that) but it implies that you’re not yet at a stage where you’re entilted you receive Communion. So even though you say you don’t take communion you’re not entitled to take it yet anyway.

Don’t worry about it too much. I’m quite sure you won’t make a mistake! If you drop the host pick it up immediately and consume it. After communion you can say a prayer to apologise to our Lord. He’ll forgive you.

The linen used on the sacred vessels are soaked in water before they’re washed. That water is then poured down a sacrarium (I hope I’ve spelt that right) which is a sink whose drain pipe goes directly into the earth.

Welcome home! Please don’t worry. Talk to your priest or catechist, that’ll be much better than getting replies on here. I’ll be praying for your journey and for your fears and worries to disappear.

 

[Pakesh]

Please, please discuss this with your priest or catechist. I’m sure they’ll allay your fears. You say you’re going through RCIA. But, you say in your profile that you’re a Baptist-Catholic. So, not wanting to add to your worries you shouldn’t be going through RCIA.

As an aside,
I think the OP meant he is a Baptist and is in RCIA. I don’t think we should should suggest the OP not be in RCIA. The only converts that don’t need to go through RCIA are Orthodox.

Being_Brave,
First, congratulations on going through RCIA, and welcome home:thumbsup: Matthew is right, bring it up to your priest and RCIA instructor. I think the Lord has graced you with a tremendous Faith in His Real Presence in the Eucharist, but don’t let anxiety take control. Trust in the Lord and his Priests:thumbsup:
God Bless,
Pakesh

 

[Snerticus]

Please, please discuss this with your priest or catechist. I’m sure they’ll allay your fears. You say you’re going through RCIA. But, you say in your profile that you’re a Baptist-Catholic. So, not wanting to add to your worries you shouldn’t be going through RCIA.

Matthew,

She is a Baptist going through RCIA to become Catholic. Please don’t confuse her by telling her not to go through RCIA. That’s what RCIA is for.

But I agree that besides the advice you get here, to talk to the priest or catechist.

What impresses me the most is your concern and obvious recognition that the Eucharist is indeed the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Welcome Home!!!

 

[Matthew_Holford]

As an aside, I think the OP meant he is a Baptist and is in RCIA. I don’t think we should should suggest the OP not be in RCIA. The only converts that don’t need to go through RCIA are Orthodox.

I’m afraid this is a widely held misconception about RCIA. RCIA, as we know, stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This is to be used for non-believers and non-Christians converting to the Catholic Church. RCIA is not intended for validly baptised Christians entering full communion with the Catholic Church.: “This is the reason also why the present rite [Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church] is to be kept entirely distinct from the catechumenate of Christian initiation.” (Foreword to the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church). “Any confusion between catechumens and candidates for reception into communion should be absolutely avoided.” (Introduction to the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church, No. 5)

Likewise we should not call such Christians converts: “… the term “convert” or neo-conversus may not be applied appropriately to baptized Christians on the occasion of their entering into full Catholic communion. The term “convert” properly refers to one who comes from unbelief to Christian belief.” (Foreword to the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church).

Of course, I understand that we don’t live in a perfect world. Many parishes probably don’t have the resources to run separate programmes for catechumens and baptised Christians coming into full communion with the Catholic Church so they lump them all together in RCIA. I still think that we should keep in mind though that RCIA is not for baptised Christians.

You will note that I did ask the OP if he/she was baptised. I believe that many Baptists are baptised in adulthood so although Being_Brave is a Baptist he/she may not be baptised. In that case a modified form of RCIA would be appropriate. Modified because he/she is not an non-Christian but if not baptised, Being_Brave will need to be baptised, confirmed, and receive her/his First Communion.

 

[Cat]

I don’t take Communion at Mass because I know that I am in no way, in any shape to do so (still going through RCIA, too). Since I began attending Mass and learning just how important Eucharist is, I’ve started getting butterflies at that point in the service.

I know it’s me overreacting, but I am terrified that Christ is going to hit the floor - literally. I hold my breath when ANYONE is around it…even the priest! The man has dedicated his whole life to Our Lord, and I still can’t help but think he’s going to get startled by a sneeze or one of the kids is going to trip and poof, there it goes all over the table and floor.

Nervous is putting it delicately. I know it’s irrational, and it really isn’t ruining my experience at Mass, but it’s definitely something I think about. I laugh at myself sometimes because I do quit breathing and I know that anyone who looks at me would see the stress in my face.

What would happen if he did spill it on the floor? What happens to the white napkins they wipe the rim of the wine with? I know that the bread that isn’t used is put back into the tabernacle, so is that just used first next time? What kind of wine is used? A particular brand, or made in a particular way?

To the OP,

There are established procedures that are followed should the Lord’s Body or Precious Blood be spilled. The priests and sacristrans know what to do. Spills happen all the time. People are clumsy. The procedures are in place to assure that the Lord’s Body and Blood are treated with reverence. So you don’t have to worry and stress about this.

Also remember that the Lord is forgiving and He knows when someone is treating Him with respect or with disdain. Do you recall the story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment with faith that she would be healed? Jesus knew that she touched Him, and He turned to ask her why, not to condemn her or strike her down, but to makes sure that all the others standing around would be able to witness that He could perform miracles because He was God.

Best wishes in your RCIA.

 

[Snerticus]

I’m afraid this is a widely held misconception about RCIA. RCIA, as we know, stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This is to be used for non-believers and non-Christians converting to the Catholic Church. RCIA is not intended for validly baptised Christians entering full communion with the Catholic Church.: “This is the reason also why the present rite [Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church] is to be kept entirely distinct from the catechumenate of Christian initiation.” (Foreword to the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church). “Any confusion between catechumens and candidates for reception into communion should be absolutely avoided.” (Introduction to the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church, No. 5)

Likewise we should not call such Christians converts: “… the term “convert” or neo-conversus may not be applied appropriately to baptized Christians on the occasion of their entering into full Catholic communion. The term “convert” properly refers to one who comes from unbelief to Christian belief.” (Foreword to the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into full communion with the Catholic Church).

Of course, I understand that we don’t live in a perfect world. Many parishes probably don’t have the resources to run separate programmes for catechumens and baptised Christians coming into full communion with the Catholic Church so they lump them all together in RCIA. I still think that we should keep in mind though that RCIA is not for baptised Christians.

You will note that I did ask the OP if he/she was baptised. I believe that many Baptists are baptised in adulthood so although Being_Brave is a Baptist he/she may not be baptised. In that case a modified form of RCIA would be appropriate. Modified because he/she is not an non-Christian but if not baptised, Being_Brave will need to be baptised, confirmed, and receive her/his First Communion.

Matthew,

I’m sure you have nothing but the best intentions, but (I am willing to go out on a limb here and say…) since most parishes lump everyone coming into the Church into RCIA, being too technical at this point is confusing in the least.

Unless the question was specifically about RCIA/catechumens/candidates for initiation etc…, I think just telling the OP to see her priest and catechist would have been sufficient. If I were coming into the Church and read your post, I would not have understood the nuances you were trying to get across and would have confronted my priest as to why I was in RCIA if I was not supposed to be there; probably becoming suspicious about the competency of the priest/catechist.

In other words, although you meant well, your explanation was a bit too technical. If Catholics misunderstood your post, then I’m sure someone who is not yet Catholic would moreso.

Catholic parishes around the world continually welcome
new members into the Catholic Church
through a process of education, faith sharing, and
rituals known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults (RCIA). The RCIA process follows the ancient
practice of the Church and brings adults into full
Catholic Christian initiation through the Sacraments
of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.

This was a brief description of RCIA taken from a bulletin in a parish I recently went to. It does not describe the details but rather gives a very broad description of RCIA. Since you have no way of knowing how far a person is in RCIA, I simply suggest refraining from telling them that they do or don’t belong there unless they specifically ask about such things (ie. what is the difference between a catechumen and a candidate). To suggest something more advanced than they have already learned has the potential to become problematic.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Matthew,

I’m sure you have nothing but the best intentions, but (I am willing to go out on a limb here and say…) since most parishes lump everyone coming into the Church into RCIA, being too technical at this point is confusing in the least.

Unless the question was specifically about RCIA/catechumens/candidates for initiation etc…, I think just telling the OP to see her priest and catechist would have been sufficient. If I were coming into the Church and read your post, I would not have understood the nuances you were trying to get across and would have confronted my priest as to why I was in RCIA if I was not supposed to be there; probably becoming suspicious about the competency of the priest/catechist.

In other words, although you meant well, your explanation was a bit too technical. If Catholics misunderstood your post, then I’m sure someone who is not yet Catholic would moreso.

This was a brief description of RCIA taken from a bulletin in a parish I recently went to. It does not describe the details but rather gives a very broad description of RCIA. Since you have no way of knowing how far a person is in RCIA, I simply suggest refraining from telling them that they do or don’t belong there unless they specifically ask about such things (ie. what is the difference between a catechumen and a candidate). To suggest something more advanced than they have already learned has the potential to become problematic.

OK I accept what you’re saying. I do have a bee in my bonnet about RCIA. I did say to the OP: “However, that’s a technicality and really a moot point here and down to the way your Catholic parish does things. It isn’t anything you’re doing wrong.”

I knew I would be challenged. I think it would have been better not to have mentioned it because I knew I would be challenged. The last thing the OP needs is to see a bunch of Catholics arguing over RCIA. That is more likely to put the OP off. I think it a bit insulting to the OP to suggest he/she couldn’t have handled this information. I’ve had anxiety disorder, clinical depression and stress all in one fell swoop. It is awful. But, it doesn’t have any effect on one’s intelligence.

The real danger is now that we will take the thread off at an inappropriate tangent.

As we all seem to agree the best thing for the OP would be to take her/his concerns to her/his parish priest or the catechist instructing her/him.

We should also pray for the OP on her/his faith journey

 

[joandarc2008]

The other thing too is sometimes it is much easier to get everyone together in the group and hammer out with certificates whether or not their baptisms were done in the proper formulas as not every Christian religion baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit - meaning that a baptism would need to be redone - it would be a shame if this is not done and someone needs to go through a whole another year of classes due to not beingable to split everyone up properly. But lets not confuse the OP !

 

[Matthew_Holford]

The other thing too is sometimes it is much easier to get everyone together in the group and hammer out with certificates whether or not their baptisms were done in the proper formulas as not every Christian religion baptizes in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit - meaning that a baptism would need to be redone - it would be a shame if this is not done and someone needs to go through a whole another year of classes due to not beingable to split everyone up properly. But lets not confuse the OP !

I think the only thing that might confuse the OP is the number of people who keep adding to the thread with their take on RCIA. If people think this is going to confuse the OP why do they keep adding their opinion?

 

[Newbie2]

In our RCIA, as we approach the Easter Vigil, we have “practice” Eucharist with unconsecrated hosts and wine (outside of mass, of course). Perhaps you could see if such could be arranged at your parish.

 

[SimonDodd]

Matthew, Snerticus,
It strikes me that the bottom line is that she needs to be confirmed (presumably the baptists baptized her), and that if her parish/diocese requires RCIA before confirmation, she has to attend RCIA.

 

[SimonDodd]

I know that the bread that isn’t used is put back into the tabernacle, so is that just used first next time?

Typically, yes. It’s used throughout the week for communion services and the like, and what’s left is mixed in the next sunday.

What kind of wine is used? A particular brand, or made in a particular way?

Canon 924 § 3 supplies the requirements: “The wine must be natural, made from grapes of the vine, and not corrupt.” I can’t now recall the number, but there are minimum and maximum alcohol contents, too, which follow from the need to be wine—to be valid matter, wine is required, not sherry/port or, at the other end of the spectrum, grape juice. Beyond that, it doesn’t really matter.

Some parishes use white wine. Personally, I think that’s a commendable practice, insofar as it underscores the Church’s teaching on what the Eucharist is: using red wine makes sense if we believe it’s a symbol, because red wine looks like blood. But white wine in the chalice forces us to confront the reality of transubstantiation.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Matthew, Snerticus, It strikes me that the bottom line is that she needs to be confirmed

Yes, she will need to be confirmed. The Baptists don’t have confirmation so her reception into full communion with the Catholic Church will be through Confirmation (Roman Ritual #17).

(presumably the baptists baptized her)

I don’t know. I don’t think Baptists have infant baptism so she may not have been baptised which would but a different slant on things.

and that if her parish/diocese requires RCIA before confirmation, she has to attend RCIA.

They probably do require it and I have said this in previous posts.

 

[Pregustator]

No one should stress over consecrated Eucharistic species hitting the floor. Bear a few things in mind:

1. Everytime the celebrant breaks his host, thousands of miniscule particles invisible to the naked eye go flying everywhere. If a scrupulous person were to watch a video in Hi-def slow motion of just what happens at the breaking of the celebrant’s host, he would have to be institutionalized afterwards. You may be confident that the floor behind the altar of any Catholic church has consecrated particles all over it, many of which wind up on the soles of the shoes of the celebrant and anyone else who might be walking through the sanctuary.
2. If you are in terrors over the thought of the Eucharist landing on the floor, just imagine what happens to the host as it passes through one’s digestive system! Considering that the consecrated host touches one’s tongue, teeth, esophogus, stomach, &c, I have never understood the complaint that some make about touching the host with one’s hand.

If Christ were concerned about Eucharistic wafers or particles landing on the floor, or of Eucharistic wine spilling, he would have instituted another method of communicating. But he didn’t. He chose the meal. My suspicion is that early Eucharists were conducted without much scruple over dropped particles or leftover wine. I also suspect early Christians did not purify their vessels after Eucharist as we do today. It took the Church a long time to start obsessing over things like that.

 

[catsrus]

originally posted by Matthew Holford
RCIA is not intended for validly baptised Christians entering full communion with the Catholic Church.:

I came into the Catholic Church from lutheranism. Thank God for R.C.I.A. Anyone not raised in, or familiar with, The Holy Mother Church MUST go through an instructional period. Mine lasted 2&1/2 years and I am grateful for it. I knew nothing at all all about The Church except the biased claptrap I grew up on.
and, it didn’t hurt one single bit that I attended with catachumens even if I was a candidate. We all learned together. It was good.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I came into the Catholic Church from lutheranism. Thank God for R.C.I.A. Anyone not raised in, or familiar with, The Holy Mother Church MUST go through an instructional period. Mine lasted 2&1/2 years and I am grateful for it. I knew nothing at all all about The Church except the biased claptrap I grew up on.
and, it didn’t hurt one single bit that I attended with catachumens even if I was a candidate. We all learned together. It was good.

I’m glad you found RCIA rewarding. All I was doing in my posts was citing the Church. If she rules one way and does something else - not my fault. I often wonder how often there are true converts, i.e. using the Church’s terminology people coming from non-Christian faiths and non belief as opposed to those coming into the Church having had a valid baptism in another Christian church or ecclesial community. I’ve already admitted that most parishes will only have resources to have one programme for catechumens and candidates for reception. I now officially declare bash Matthew day over!

 

[HCC]

Stop watching people take Holy Communion. Close your eyes and make a spiritual communion:

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

Try saying the Anima Christi:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen

Speak to Our Lord, there present and tell Him about your week ahead, your hopes and ask for grace to be protected from sin, ask for blessings for your family, pray for your sick neighbor, a friend you know out of work, etc…

Spend those few precious moments, there at the feet of Our Blessed Lord speaking to Him or just closing your eyes and enjoying His presence.

It is good you are so concerned with the protection of the Holy Eucharist, but if it is causing you distress and anxiety, that is a sign of scrupulosity, which is in itself a sin. Time to focus on what communion is all about, growing closer to Our Lord and focusing on ways to become more like Him.

 

[Pregustator]

It is good you are so concerned with the protection of the Holy Eucharist, but if it is causing you distress and anxiety, that is a sign of scrupulosity, which is in itself a sin.

It is?

 

[SimonDodd]

No one should stress over consecrated Eucharistic species hitting the floor.

Actually, they should, and will, if they’ve been well-catechized and understand what happens in the consecration. What they shouldn’t do, however, is to become so overwhelmed and paralyzed with fear that they let their stress prevent their reception of the Eucharist. It’s a balancing act. Once you know what happens on that altar, you can’t “un-know” it; that has a good side and a bad side.

Everytime [sic.] the celebrant breaks his host, thousands of miniscule particles invisible to the naked eye go flying everywhere. If a scrupulous person were to watch a video in Hi-def slow motion of just what happens at the breaking of the celebrant’s host, he would have to be institutionalized afterwards. You may be confident that the floor behind the altar of any Catholic church has consecrated particles all over it, many of which wind up on the soles of the shoes of the celebrant and anyone else who might be walking through the sanctuary.

To some extent, that’s true. But the correct response is great care, not indifference.

If you are in terrors over the thought of the Eucharist landing on the floor, just imagine what happens to the host as it passes through one’s digestive system!

This is a no-brainer. He told us to consume his body, with all that entails. He didn’t tell us to walk all over it. Trust the Lord and take Him at his word.

I have never understood the complaint that some make about touching the host with one’s hand.

Hands can be dirty. On the other hand, as then-Cardinal Ratzinger noted, we sin with our mouths as readily as with our hands. See God is Near Us 70 (2003); cf. Prov 6:16–19 (three “mouth” sins are named and only one “hand” sin). A more practical point goes back to what was said above: hosts can leave particles on the hands which increases the risk of profanation. There are good points and bad points made on both sides of the CITH/COTT debate, although for me, a thousand years of tradition loads the dice in favor of COTT. I’ve not decided it yet, but for present purposes, the point is that there are more concerns in play than just practicality.

All I was doing in my posts was citing the Church. If she rules one way and does something else - not my fault.

The rite itself includes provision for receiving baptized Christians into the Church (see chapter five of the English translation).