Visit to Our Lady After Holy Communion

Mother, upon my lips today,

Christ's Precious Blood was laid;

That Blood which centuries ago,

Was for my ransom paid.

And half in love, and half in fear

I seek for aid from thee,

Lest what I worship, wrapt in awe,

Should be profaned by me.

Wilt thou vouchsafe, as Portress dear,

To guard those lips today?

Lessen my words of idle worth

And govern all I say.

Keep back the sharp and quick retort

That rise so easily;

Soften my speech with gentle art,

To sweetest charity.

Check thou the laugh or careless jest,

That others harsh may find;

Teach me the thoughtful words of love,

That soothe the anxious mind.

Put far from me all proud replies,

And each deceitful tone,

So that my words at length may be

Faint echoes of thine own.

Oh Mother, thou art mine today,

By more than double right:

A soul where Christ reposed must be

Most precious in thy sight.

And thou canst hardly think of me

From thy dear Son apart;

Then give me from myself and sin,

A refuge in thy heart.

~ From an old prayer card ~

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith: Time to Abandon Communion in the Hand

"...speaking of communion in the hand, it must be recognized that the practice was improperly and quickly introduced in some quarters of the Church shortly after the Council, changing the age-old practice and becoming regular practice for the whole Church. They justified the change saying that it better reflected the Gospel or the ancient practice of the Church... Some, to justify this practice referred to the words of Jesus: "Take and eat" (Mk 14, 22; Mt 26, 26).

"Whatever the reasons for this practice, we cannot ignore what is happening worldwide where this practice has been implemented. This gesture has contributed to a gradual weakening of the attitude of reverence towards the sacred Eucharistic species whereas the previous practice had better safeguarded that sense of reverence. There instead arose an alarming lack of recollection and a general spirit of carelessness. We see communicants who often return to their seats as if nothing extraordinary has happened... In many cases, one cannot discern that sense of seriousness and inner silence that must signal the presence of God in the soul."

"Now I think it is high time...to abandon the current practice that was not called for by Sacrosanctum Concilium, nor by Fathers, but was only accepted after its illegitimate introduction in some countries. Now, more than ever, we must help the faithful to renew a deep faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in order to strengthen the life of the Church and defend it in the midst of dangerous distortions of the faith that this situation continues to cause."

~ Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith, excerpt from here ~

 

Rethinking Communion in the Hand Should Be a Priority in the Church

"With Communion in the hand, a miracle would be required during each distribution of Communion to avoid some Particles from falling to the ground or remaining in the hand of the faithful. Let us speak clearly: whoever receives Communion in the mouth not only follows exactly the tradition handed down but also the wish expressed by the last Popes and thus avoids placing himself in the occasion of committing a sin by negligently dropping a fragment of the Body of Christ."

~ Bishop Juan Rodolfo Laise, San Luis, Argentina, 1997 ~
from Communion-in-the-hand.org

Purity Needed for Those Who Receive the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus

"Oh, if we could only understand Who is that God

Whom we receive in Holy Communion,

then what purity of heart we would bring to Him!"

~ St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi  ~

Cardinal Arinze: Eucharistic Faith and Reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament

"Our behaviour should show our faith. 

If we talk in the church as if we were in a football field, then...

we'd begin to doubt whether that person really believes."

~ Cardinal Arinze ~

Confession Before Holy Communion? Is No One Guilty of Mortal Sin Anymore?

When is the last time you heard a homily instructing the faithful about mortal sin?  I can't remember when I heard one.  CLEAR instruction on mortal sin is needed in our churches and Catholic schools!  No wonder almost every Catholic in the pews presents themselves before the Lord to receive Him in Holy Communion, and yet very few Catholics go to a priest for sacramental Confession!  How many Catholics might be leading seriously sinful lives and yet think they are good Catholics and don't hesitate to receive Holy Communion? 

From a reader in response to this post:

"A priest once told me that all sins of those present at mass are automatically forgiven at the time of uttering the words LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY SINS OF THE WORLD, HAVE MERCY ON ME. And he said all present should then receive Holy communion without confession."

Answer:  The Catholic Church is very clear that sacramental Confession is not REQUIRED before receiving Holy Communion if a person is NOT guilty of any mortal sins.  However, if a person IS guilty of mortal sin they MUST confess their sins to a priest in the sacrament of Confession/Penance and receive absolution before receiving Holy Communion. 

 The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
1457

According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."56 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.57 Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.58

1458

Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60

~ Excerpt from Catechism of the Catholic Church ~

~ Catechism of the Catholic Church: Article 8 on Sin ~

Cardinal Raymond Burke: Holy Communion Kneeling and on the Tongue

 "The Holy Father is giving a very clear lesson by his own insistence that the faithful receive Communion kneeling and on the tongue. He's teaching us something. This is a decision which he obviously made with much thought and for good reasons, and so to me it's the case to teach the faithful once again about due reverence on receiving Holy Communion and to encourage them to consider a return to that traditional form of Communion kneeling and receiving Holy Communion on the tongue."

~ Cardinal Raymond Burke ~

Cardinal Arinze: Communion-plates, Altar Rails, Training of Altar Servers, Number of Daily Holy Communions Allowed

[93.] The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.[180]

[94.] It is not licit for the faithful “to take . . . by themselves . . . and, still less, to hand . . . from one to another” the sacred host or the sacred chalice.[181] Moreover, in this regard, the abuse is to be set aside whereby spouses administer Holy Communion to each other at a Nuptial Mass.

[95.] A lay member of Christ’s faithful “who has already received the Most Holy Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within a Eucharistic Celebration in which he or she is participating, with due regard for the prescriptions of can. 921 § 2.”[182]

~ Excerpts from Redemptionis Sacramentum

On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided

regarding the Most Holy Eucharist

Cardinal Arinze: Communion on the Tongue and Kneeling is the Church Norm

[90.] “The faithful should receive Communion kneeling or standing, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined”, with its acts having received the recognitio of the Apostolic See. “However, if they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that they give due reverence before the reception of the Sacrament, as set forth in the same norms”.[176]

[91.] In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”.[177] Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing.

[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice,[178] if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.[179]

~ Excerpt from: Redemptionis Sacramentum

On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided

regarding the Most Holy Eucharist ~

Pope Benedict XVI Supports Receiving Communion on the Tongue While Kneeling

Pope Benedict XVI speaks without words!

Old news from June, 2008--but worth meditating upon.  

Requirements Before Receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church

How Do I Receive the Eucharist?

In the Holy Eucharist we receive the very Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Eucharist:

Gives us innumerable precious graces.

Is an intimate encounter with Christ.

Deepens unity with the Church, more fully assimilating us into Christ . We sacramentally receive Him into our bodies, that we may be more deeply assimilated into His.

Strengthens the individual because it is Jesus Himself, the Word made flesh.

Forgives our venial sins and gives us the strength to resist mortal sin.

Is the very channel of eternal life. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." (John 6:53)

BEFORE RECEIVING COMMUNION THERE ARE SEVERAL REQUIREMENTS.

1. You must be in a state of grace.

"Whoever therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. " (1st Corinthians 11:27)

Sometimes Catholics who are in a state of mortal sin, out of habit or fear of embarrassment, choose to go forward and offend God rather than stay in the pew. The Church's ancient faith on this is expressed in the Didache, written around AD 70, which says, "Whosoever is holy (in a state of grace), let him approach. Whosoever is not, let him repent".

2. You must have been to confession since your last mortal sin.

The Didache witnesses to this practice of the early Church. "But first make confession of your faults, so that your sacrifice may be a pure one".

The code of Canon Law indicates that the same applies today. "A person who is conscious of a grave sin is not to receive the body of the Lord.

3. You must believe in the transubstantiation.

"For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgement upon himself". (1st Corinthians 11:29)

4. You must observe the Eucharistic fast.

One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion" .

5. You must have made your First Communion.

6. You must not be under an ecclesiastical censure, such as excommunication.

Those who are excommunicated and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. A common excommunication is automatically incurred by receiving or participating in an abortion.

WHEN YOU MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST FREQUENTLY.

Communion on the Tongue

When giving the Body of the Lord to a communicant, the minister raises the host over the vessel and says, "The Body of Christ."

The preferred way of receiving Communion is on the tongue. For the priest to administer Holy Communion, your tongue must be far enough out for him to reverently place the host on it without having to put his fingers in your mouth.

Communion in the Hand

As you approach, place your left hand on top of your right hand in the form of a cross, and with your palm open receive the Body of Christ, saying, "Amen." You may then step to one side, still facing the altar, take the precious host, with the fingers of your right hand, and place the host reverently on your tongue. Then proceed with hands together, back to your pew.

Finally, give appropriate thanks. After receiving Jesus into one's own body and being further absorbed into his, how could one do less? ( Source)

One American Priest's Perspective on Communion in the Hand

"Americans have the option of receiving the Holy Eucharist on the tongue or in the hand. The Vatican granted us the option of receiving on the hand in 1977. This was accomplished by an indult, a lifting of the law, so we may receive either way, on the tongue or in the hand. The indult was granted because the American Bishops told the Vatican that their parishioners were clamoring for it..."

"Communion on the hand is an option; it is not the primary way of receiving. Catholics must be catechized to understand this important point. No one is to be forced to receive on the hand.

"When receiving the Body of Christ on the hand, the faithful must be aware of the fact that each and every particle, no matter how small, is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Therefore no particle should ever be discarded or treated with less than total respect due to the Body of Christ.

"The faithful must also be reminded that their hands must be clean to receive our Lord, Jesus Christ.

"When ordained in 1986, I was a proponent of receiving Communion in the hand, but time has changed my thinking on this issue. Seeing so many abuses and forming a deeper respect for Jesus’ true Presence in the Holy Eucharist were the factors which forced me to rethink my position."

"In my twenty-four years as a priest, I have served in many parishes and witnessed many Eucharistic abuses caused by receiving in the hand. I have picked Jesus off the floor from under pews and picked Him out of hymnals. I have followed people back to their seats and asked if they would give me the host back (they bring it out of a clinched hand or out of their pockets) and have witnessed many other sacrilegious desecrations of the most Blessed Sacrament, far too many and varied to mention, some so shocking most people would simply not believe my words.

"As I began to see these desecrations of the Holy Eucharist, I began to understand how very sickening, disheartening and avoidable all of this actually has been. Many religious education programs teach the children how to receive on the hand, with at most a cursory mention of the traditional way of receiving on the tongue. Why? The Church documents do not support such teaching. It was the same with many American dioceses in the 1960’s when the faithful were being coerced into receiving on the hand a decade before being granted the indult."

"Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI leads by example. Since becoming Pope, anyone receiving Holy Eucharist from him must receive on the tongue and kneeling. He is not requiring a change throughout the world, but is giving us a profound message by example.

"Proper respect shown to the Holy Eucharist is primary. Please consider these thoughts before receiving Holy Communion this Sunday. Thank you."

~ Fr. Robert Lange: Excerpts from Respect for Christ in the Eucharist--One Priest's Perspective ~

Bishop Robert Morlino: Reverence for the Eucharist

"Our own reverence for the Eucharist is the key to going out into the world and letting everybody else know that Jesus present in the Eucharist is the only Savior of the world; and the only way they're going to believe that is if they see it in our own behavior all the time...Let's rejoice in being the Body of Christ, and let's renew our loving devotion for Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist by giving Him the gift today and every day of a heart full of reverence."

~ Bishop Robert Morlino ~

Bishop Athanasius Schneider on Communion in the Hand

~

Dominus Est ~ It is the Lord!
By Most Rev. Athanasius Schneider, ORC

Based on his experience of Eucharistic devotion under Communist persecution, Bishop Schneider, auxiliary Bishop of Karaganda, Kazakhstan and member of the Order of the Holy Cross, bears witness to the loss of reverence for the Real Presence in the Western world and makes concrete suggestions for the renewal of Eucharistic faith and devotion in our times.

"I have read the whole book with delight. It is excellent." ~ Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect, Congregation for Divine Worship

"Now more than ever, it is necessary to help the faithful renew a living faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in order to strengthen the life of the Church herself." ~ from the preface by Most Rev. Malcolm Ranjith, Secretary for the Congregation for Divine Worship

~ For more information on Bishop Schneider go to Te Deum Laudamus ~