June 26, 2022
Dear Friends in Christ,
Last week, we celebrated the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday). I preached on the central truth of the Catholic faith: the real presence of Jesus in Holy Communion—what appears to be bread & wine have been transformed into the body, blood, soul & divinity of Christ (the doctrine of transubstantiation). Just as it is important to review that teaching which I did last weekend, it is important to review some of the basics of church etiquette & receiving Holy Communion.
1) All people are welcome to worship here at Mass. The Order of the Mass is listed in the hymnal, #166-#187. But in order to receive Holy Communion, you are to be a Catholic. It is not only believing in what the Catholic Church teaches on the Eucharist (the doctrine of transubstantiation), but you are to believe in the rest of the teachings / doctrines of the Catholic Church. If you are not a Catholic but believe in the Eucharist, then you should investigate becoming a Catholic through RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
2) To receive Holy Communion, a Catholic is to be in a state of grace. If you as a Catholic are aware that you are in a state of grave / mortal sin, you are to go to confession first (Canon 916; cf. 1 Cor. 11:27-29). Once you have received the priest’s absolution in confession, you can receive Holy Communion, even if you have not had time to complete the penance given by the priest in confession. But you are to complete your penance ASAP.
3) Before leaving home, does your clothing attire reflect the worthiness of receiving Jesus’ Real Presence? Or have you become way too casual in what you wear?
4) You are to abstain at least one hour before Holy Communion from any food & drink, except for water & medicine (Canon 919). Gum chewing in church is inappropriate.
5) Arrive early to Mass so as to prepare yourself in prayer, by reading the scriptures (#in hymnal listed in the bulletin on p. 4). If you arrive late once the Scriptures have begun, wait to be seated during the sung Gospel Acclamation after the 2nd reading & prior to the Gospel. This is out of the respect for the Word & others listening to the Word. The same is true if your child becomes a distraction during Mass. Take your child to the cry room or narthex when necessary.
6) Participate as fully as possible during Mass.
7) Are you “joyful” inwardly & outwardly when you receive Jesus Himself in Holy Communion? Or are you just going through the motions or just look bored? Even if you are experiencing hardships in life, you can receive with reverence, appreciation & joy Jesus, the food of life.
8) When approaching the distributor of Holy Communion, you are first to make a sign of reverence normally by bowing toward Jesus in Holy Communion. The distributor is either an Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion (bishop, priest or deacon) or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (a lay person trained to distribute).
9) You are to respond clearly & audibly “Amen” when the distributor states “The Body of Christ.”
10) The person who receives may choose to receive Holy Communion on the tongue or in the hand. Make your choice obvious to the distributor (with no mixed signs).
—If receiving on the tongue, your tongue is fully extended over your bottom lip (with your hands folded).
—If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean & extended outward & upward. If one is right-handed, the left hand should rest upon the right. The Host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand & then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed, this is reversed. This forms a “throne” to receive the Real Presence of Christ—cf. p. 5 for a fuller explanation. Step immediately to the side a very short distance & consume the Host immediately. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers & take the Host from the distributor. It is the act of receiving Communion, not taking it from the distributor. Never walk away with the Host in your hand. You are to consume the Host immediately upon reception next to the distributor.
—If the Host accidently falls to the floor, pick it up & consume it. Or allow the distributor to pick it up.
—If your hand/hands are impeded (by holding a child, a cane, crutches, etc.), then it might be best to receive on the tongue.
11) It is your own piety if you make the sign of the cross after receiving. It is not required. When you have returned to your pew, say a prayer of thanksgiving for receiving Christ. You are also encouraged to join in with singing. Depending on your ability to kneel, you may kneel or be seated. It is each person’s decision on how long to kneel. Some choose to kneel until the tabernacle’s door is closed.
12) You are to stay for the final blessing of the Mass and ideally until the closing hymn has finished. Some like to say a prayer after the Mass.
Let us always reverence the celebration of the Mass!
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!
Fr. Lawrence W. Jozwiak
Pastor
“The Cross is the school of love.”
“The most deadly poison of our time is indifference.”
-St. Maximilian Kolbe
“There is no greater love, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.” John 15: 13