Holy Communion: Hands Off



Holy Communion is that sublime moment when, in awe of God's gift of Himself under such a humble form, we should tremble in fear (awe, profound respect) and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Can anyone seriously argue that communion in the hand (CITH) has not drastically obscured the true nature of the august Sacrament? Or, for that matter, can anyone seriously argue that CITH has led to an increase in reverence for the Blessed Sacrament?

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
A viewing of the "communion line" on the occasion of the Dedication of Christ Cathedral (Diocese of Orange), the former Crystal Cathedral founded by Dr. Robert Schuller, tends to confirm the need for due reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. Communicants were handed the Sacred Host and, with few beautiful, reverent exceptions, proceeded with casual indifference.

Shoppers show more decorum in a grocery store checkout line than many if not most of the communicants during a typical Sunday Mass. External behavour reveals a great deal about a person's thoughts, character and priorities.

Saint Matthew 7:18-20
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
For those who have the privilege of receiving the Body of Christ, which is a/the most awesome entrance into the mystery of our redemption, the most sublime encounter with the risen Jesus this side of heaven, ordained by Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls, surely we should promote the practice of communion on the tongue, the most fitting way to receive the Blessed Sacrament.

The Diocese of Orange dedication of Christ Cathedral, which contained many praiseworthy elements, was severely disappointing because of the lack of reverence shown toward our Lord at the summit of the worshiper's encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ in the one eternal Sacrifice of the Mass.

A grand edifice such as a cathedral, which should "incarnate" the timeless elements that make a cathedral Catholic, should at the same time enhance our ability to worship God in the beauty of holiness (Ps 96:9). Perhaps a major re-think is necessary to preserve the sanctity of each and every solemn occasion when God offers us the divine Food we need to live lives of gratitude and hope.

Witness the beauty and goodness of communicants receiving Holy Communion in a manner befitting the dignity of the Sacrament and the dignity of the christian who submits himself in humble adoration of his Saviour.

Evening Mass for the 5th Anniversary
of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross
fast forward to 1:13:00

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TRUE PARTICIPATION IN THE MASS

"I was gathered into the offering of the Son to the Father. I participated in the self-offering of God today."

FEATURED SCRIPTURE | Revelation 8:1-5

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth; and there were peals of thunder, loud noises, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

FEATURED QUOTE

Without a moral framework, there is nothing left but immediate self-indulgence by some and the path of least resistance by others. Neither can sustain a free society. | Thomas Sowell