Dear St. Rita Families,
In the coming week, nearly 50,000 people will gather in Indianapolis for the Eucharistic Congress that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has been planning for some time now. The hope, naturally, is to revitalize the faith of Catholics in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. On occasion, you hear a Pew Study quoted about the percentage of Catholics who actually believe the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist – the number was about 33%. A more recent CARA study was much more hopeful, indicating that 2/3 of Mass-going Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ. So, it makes sense that there has been a push for a Eucharistic Congress to try to step up our game, so to speak. Pray that it will be fruitful for those involved, for those who participated in the various Eucharistic Processions held in preparation for the Congress, and that many will come to a deeper faith in Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
As with all retreats or retreat-style experiences, the real question becomes, “What are the concrete changes that will happen afterwards?” It is one thing to have a moment of reflection and prayer and worship (always good!), but the goal of such things is to have a lasting effect moving forward. If our faith in the Sacrament is to be increased as a result of this moment in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States, then it must result in some concrete step for those involved and interested. Only then will we relinquish more of our lives into Our Lord’s hands, so that He can transform us and those around us.
Of course, I am not going to the Eucharistic Congress, although there is a delegation from the Diocese. Most of you who read this are not going to the Eucharistic Congress, either. But the Eucharistic Congress and its fruits are still for us, also! We, then, want to make use of the graces given to us because of this event, and increase our own devotion to Christ in the Sacrament as well.
How you do this is, naturally, up to you. But, I will offer some suggestions that I hope you will consider. Because, if this central Mystery of Our Faith is actually true (and it is!), and God Himself is with us always there in the Tabernacle, and He comes to us – even daily – in the Sacrament of the altar, not only do we owe Him total homage and worship, but what a privilege for us to have such ready access to the God of the Universe, the Infinite Creator, Love Himself who died for us and gives us the victory over sin and death! Further, if the world sees our faith in Him and comes to believe because of our witness and example, then we’ve managed to spread God’s Goodness in our own small way into the world.
So, here are my suggestions:
1) While the norm for reception of Communion in the US is to receive in the hands while standing, Communion is not to be denied to those who kneel or prefer to receive on the tongue. Kneeling and receiving in this way is a beautiful act of reverence for Our Lord and can witness to His Presence in the Sacrament.
2) I have written before about how to dress when coming to Mass, but it is good to make it a point to wear clothes that indicate you are in the presence of the God of the Universe. There are two ways to do this: First is to dress up – even your kids, so they learn well how to comport themselves in Church. Second is to dress humbly, so as not to draw attention to yourself. Such clothing should be well-taken care of and not slobby or shabby, but not ostentatious. We must be humble before God.
3) Fast a little more than one hour before Communion. If you can avoid eating at all before Mass, it is a worthy practice. If you cannot, try not to eat for an hour before Mass begins rather than for an hour before Communion (which is the requirement).
4) Arrive to Mass early so you can prepare. Who are you praying for during Mass? For whom are you offering Communion? Have you looked at the readings? What would you like to ask God for?
5) Pray in thanksgiving for a few minutes after the priest leaves. The God of the Universe is within you, and it is a privileged time to spend with Him!
6) Avoid receiving Communion if you are in mortal sin. St. Paul indicates that this damages body and soul (1 Cor 11:30). It is a sacrilege and is another mortal sin, since you have tried to unite mortal sin, which is a definitive rejection of God, with Union with God (Communion).
7) Come to Mass more during the week! Timing can be tough, but it is worth it to structure your day around the Sacrament.
8) Sign up for an hour of nocturnal Eucharistic Adoration, which we have every Friday night at the parish from 8 PM to 8 AM Saturday morning. Mike Cahill (cahill09@hotmail.com) manages the schedule. Email him to sign up!
There are many other suggestions I could make, but these are a few to choose from. Ordering our lives around God is the way things ought to be in the world. It just so happens that God has made Himself present in a very particular and beautiful way in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Don’t miss out!
In Christ,
Fr. Christensen