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To: JHavard
One reason why conservative Catholics have opposed the architectural reforms in Catholic Churches and the removal of the tabernacle from the "worship -space" (horrible term!!!) is that it diminishes the sense of reverence and of being in a Holy Place. It make us fear that the priests who perpetrate such changes are crypto-Lutherans or cryto- Calvinists or even, God forbid, liberals!

When I use the term "enthusiasm," I do mean the kind of physical or vocal activity one sees at a charismatic event, but what struck me palpably the first time I went to mass: the sudden and deep quiet that came over the congregation at the consecration. The coughing that one hears when a group is required to stay quiet, such as one witnesses at a concert, and which was going on up to that moment, stopped and the quiet I mentioned descended continued for some minutes, as when everyone in a group suddenly becomes absorbed in what is happening. I have not witnessed this is a Presbyterian, Baptist, or Methodist service. although I have seen it in in Lutheran and Episcopal services.

At bottom, it depends on whether one believes or at least suspends disbelief in the Real Presence. One will act in taking communion in accordance with one's belief about its meaning. As to Catholic who actually receive the Sacrament, I have noticed a change in attitude as an increasingly large percentage of those attending go to communion. (A few years ago I saw some idiot chewing gum on his way to communion!) It used be that many held back, out of a feeling of unworthiness, and that those who went were manifestly more "ready" to receive. As for "factory"-like manner, I was sometimes--in the old days--alarmed to see some of the priests deposit the Host on tongues of the communicants is a very cavalier manner, in great contrast with the demeanor of the people receiving.

7,250 posted on 04/30/2002 11:14:20 AM PDT by RobbyS
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To: RobbyS
It used be that many held back, out of a feeling of unworthiness, and that those who went were manifestly more "ready" to receive.

200 years ago this was the major problem in the Church -- people having too much respect for the Sacrament.

SD

7,256 posted on 04/30/2002 11:19:54 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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