Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this weekend, we are reinstating the reception of the Blood of Christ from the Cup, starting with the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass. As I explained in my letter of May 21st, I feel that we should start slowly and then gradually include all the weekend Masses. So please be patient as we see how things progress over the next several weeks. I am hopeful that the return of the Cup will be a welcome sign of Eucharistic renewal for our parish.
Eucharistic renewal has been very much on the minds of our nation’s Catholic bishops, with some of them sounding alarm bells over the fact that poll results show that only a third of Catholics in the U.S. believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. In response, the Bishops issued a document titled “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church” in 2021. They also embarked on a three-year program of Eucharistic revival in the United States last year which will culminate with a National Eucharistic Congress in 2024 in Indianapolis.
Both the document and the Eucharistic revival program are intended to help Catholics renew their faith in the presence of Christ in the bread and wine which are consecrated and shared at Mass. I can understand the bishops’ concern for a perceived lack of faith and understanding on the part of some members of the Church who might not have received a proper or thorough catechesis of the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist.
Part of this lack of faith or understanding might be attributed to the liturgical reforms instituted after the Second Vatican Council. As the Mass evolved from Latin to English, with the altar facing the congregation, reception of Communion in the hand, etc., a certain level of mystery and reverence for the Eucharist may have been lost. While we have heard that “familiarity breeds contempt,” I prefer to think of it as familiarity breeding, not contempt, but possible carelessness in how the Mass is celebrated. As a young boy who served Mass in the old Tridentine form, I certainly welcomed the changes that came about after the Council. Unfortunately, a period of experimentation followed which may have had unintended consequences. This has led to a backlash in some parts of the Church which has caused dissension, confusion, and believers pitting themselves against each other in a quest for a return to the “good old days” of liturgical orthodoxy. This is unfortunate, indeed, and the Church is suffering as a result. As Catholics, we ought to be able to recognize and celebrate our giftedness and unite ourselves as a family of believers around the table of the Lord who continues to make himself present in the Bread and Wine of his Body and Blood.
Perhaps we just need a few gentle reminders once in a while to help us renew our love for the Lord in the Eucharist and to receive it with reverence and dignity.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem in 348 gave this instruction to his congregation: “When you approach Holy Communion, make the left hand into a throne for the right, which will receive the King. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer ‘Amen.’” Thus, as we receive the Body of Christ, our hands should be open, with one hand on top of the other, rather than side-by-side, so that the host may be placed there securely. Our vocal response of “Amen” should be intentional, not silent or mumbled.
Some parishioners have asked about intinction, the practice of dipping the consecrated host into the consecrated wine. This is a recognized form of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, but it has its limitations. Self-intinction has never been permitted, however, because of possible accidents as well as the fact that one should not “take” the Eucharist oneself, but receive it from a priest, deacon or Eucharistic minister. Those who wish to receive the Blood of Christ should drink from the cup reverently and carefully. If you are not feeling well, it might be better not to receive from the cup at that time.
The liturgies that are celebrated here at St. Patrick-St. Anthony are joyful, exuberant, reverent moments of faith which lead into service and ministry to others – just what they ought to be! Our participation in the Eucharist is the nourishment we need to live more like Christ; it is our food for the journey as we travel towards the Kingdom of God. Let us receive the Lord, the Bread of Life, who humbled himself so that we might share in his divinity, with all faith and confidence!
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.Pastor
Join the Sister Parish Committee for Community Sunday with a Haitian twist!
We will have our regular coffee and donuts in addition to some Haitian treats provided by the Sister Parish Committee. Enjoy meeting members of our Sister Parish Committee, and listen to stories about their work with St. Genevieve.
Did you know about our Covenant relationship with St. Genevieve, our Sister Parish in Haiti? Our connection to this parish goes back to 2005.
Read more about our Covenant relationship, and stories from those who have traveled there below!