Posted on 06/11/2011 6:45:43 AM PDT by stfassisi
A Letter from Our Cathedral Rector by Very Rev. Fr. John Lankeit, Rector, Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral Phoenix, AZ January 30, 2011
Dear Parishioners,
I want to thank all of you who have recently started receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, not to mention those of you who already had been. This subject has generated a lot of buzz over the past few weeks, the vast majority of which has been overwhelmingly positive.
While my main objective in encouraging reception on the tongue is to deepen appreciation for the Eucharist, I also have a pastoral responsibility to eliminate abuses common to receiving in the hand. Such abuses are no doubt unintentional. Nevertheless, what I witness troubles me. And I'm not alone.
In 2004, responding to the problem of Eucharistic profanation, the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacrament released an official instruction entitled REDEMPTIONIS SACRAMENTUS: On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist. Regarding Holy Communion the document states:
"[S]pecial 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." (Paragraph 92)
Here are just a few examples of profanation that I see all too frequently:
We would never treat a piece of GOLD with the same casualness - especially in this economy! Yet many treat the Eucharist "piece" of GOD with casualness at best, indifference and irreverence at worst. Of course, much abuse is due to ignorance, owing to poor catechesis, which is precisely why I have written about this issue for four consecutive weeks.
Yet we have another great incentive...
When Holy Communion is received on the tongue... every single one of these abuses is instantly eliminated!
The way we treat another person says more about our relationship with that person than any words we might say. This is especially true of our relationship with the Divine Person, Jesus Christ. So let us continually seek to increase our reverence for our Eucharistic Savior, and to eliminate anything that degrades the respect He deserves.
God's Blessings... my prayers...
Was Vatican II a good thing?
>>Was Vatican II a good thing?<<
Yes! Where did I say it wasn’t?
Look, I attend this parish.
http://www.saintcyrils.org/
Look at the Holy Masses there. We have one TLM, the rest are NO. Short of the one time my daughters’ Latin choir sang, I do not attend the TLM. Why? I don’t like it. Nothing personal but I don’t feel like I’m participating at all. So, why would I think that VII is a bad thing? The libs and hippies that usurped it sure are though.
So you can call me any name in the book, but I’ll proudly stand by my historically correct NO. And to be honest, although I respect you for being a FReeper, I just don’t really care at all what your opinion of me is. It’s just not that big of a deal.
Have a good day.
Glad you support Vatican II.
I was wrong.
I apologize.
When I converted, I was 49 years old. The Episcopal church technically provides for 'auricular confession', but unless you are in a super super high parish as a practical matter it doesn't happen (and it would have been invalid anyhow since to Catholics, Anglican orders are "absolutely null and utterly void" - Anglicanorum coetibus and all).
I approached our rector and asked if I should make an appointment to clear up 42 years' worth of misdeeds. He said, "Oh, no, just come at the usual time." I said, "you know, this is going to be the Mother of All Confessions, and it may take some time!" He replied, "Ah, no, just come at the usual time. There aren't very many sinners in this parish!" Typical dry wit from this priest.
I would tell the priest up front that it's been X years since your last confession. That will help him walk you through it, so to speak.
There are some great examinations of conscience on line, and there is even a iPhone app (it's passworded!) that lets you customize an examination of conscience so you don't forget anything.
Fr. Z's blog has some really good tips on making a good confession. Lots of discussion and some good recommendations on reading material here.
Don't worry - when I leave the confessional I feel like I'm walking on air - it's a good feeling and worth the trouble to know the slate has been wiped clean.
A Chinese Girl-True Story That Inspired Bishop Fulton Sheen- Eucharist Adoration (Catholic Caucus)
You are a fine a righteous person. God Bless!
Well thank you so much. I’m sorry I didn’t see your post sooner. God bless you.
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