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To: Pyro7480
I prefer to receive Our Lord's Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, from the hands of a priest or deacon.

Communion is no less valid from the hands of a layperson. Are you receiving grace from the priest/deacon or from the consecrated host?

41 posted on 06/02/2005 1:47:05 PM PDT by Rutles4Ever
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To: Rutles4Ever
That's not the issue. The issues are: a.) St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest theologians in Church history, explained why only the consecrated hands of a priest should distribute Communion. b.) Lay EEM's reinforce the horizontality prevalent in post-Vatican II liturgies.
44 posted on 06/02/2005 1:51:09 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady." - Tolkien)
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To: Rutles4Ever

I have written this several times across several threads: I'm an EMC myself. I consider it the greatest honor possible to assist the ordained at mass. We have one Permanent Deacon and three Priests (Pastor, Associate Pastor, Retired Priest) for a parish of 2200+ families. We have four masses every Sunday (0730, 0900, 1030, and Noon) with 30 minutes between each for changeover. The Church nave itself accomodates ~800. At every Sunday mass there are two ordained (some combination of Priests and Deacon). Along with the ordained clergy there are 8 EMC Precious Blood Stations and at 0900 and 1030 mass, 4 EMC Precious Body stations. At 0730 and Noon, there are 2 Precious Body stations. It is IMPRACTICAL for us to limit the reception of both forms of Communion to the ordained alone. EMC's are a necessity, and the vast majority of them (I can't think of any time in the 30 years I've been part of the parish) that a lack of the utmost reverence for the awesome nature of the Body and Blood of the Lord has ever been displayed. I often find myself, when serving as EMC to be overcome by the awesome presence of that which I hold in my hand. It usually manifests itself physically in tears, or sharp pains in the palms of my hands. I mentioned this to be, what I consider the highest honor bestowed on a living layperson. I truly believe that. I feel the Church agrees.

I thank God for the the privelege granted to me, a lowly sinner, dust really, to Him who is, to serve in this capacity. I am VERY SERIOUS about this.

Peace be to you...


270 posted on 06/05/2005 8:39:01 PM PDT by OriginalChristian (Viva Cristo Rey!)
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