The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ – 2005

St. Benedict/St. Elizabeth Parish

This feast provides an annual opportunity for reflection, for review, of how well

we, as a community, are showing the proper reverence for the Eucharist. Holy

Thursday invites us to ponder the mystery of the Eucharist; this feast, often

incorporating processions, is a time to profess that yes, we believe that this

bread and this wine has become the Real Presence, the Body and Blood of Christ.

So, through adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and in the very way

that we approach the Sacrament in the communion procession, we communicate

what we believe – how are we doing?

OFFERTORY PROCESSION AND REVERENCE

·

During the offertory, individuals come forward with the gifts of the people and the gifts of

bread and wine and they present them to the priest. There has been some confusion as to

what to do next. Some simply turn around, others bow or genuflect to the priest, I have

instructed that we should wait for the priest and ministers to return to the altar and then bow

to the altar, but that has not happened and at times is difficult because of the movement of

people.

Beginning  today,  the  offertory  basket  should  be  processed  first  by  the  usher  or

selected parishioner, followed by the bread and wine. The basket will be handed to the

priest who  will hand  it to the server and the usher or individual  who presented  the

basket will step to their left allowing the others to step forward and present the gifts

to the priest. Ideally, there are now three people standing in a straight line. When the

priest returns to the altar, the three bow to the altar and return to their seats.

POST-COMMUNION REVERENCE

·

There has been some confusion as to when we should sit after communion. Do we sit when

Father closes the tabernacle or when he sits after purifying the vessels? I have responded in

the past by instructing us to sit when the tabernacle is closed because it is a clearer

connection. I would rather catechize our community with actions that are easily understood

responses. Following the New General Instruction on the Roman Missal, I started purifying

the chalice and paten at the altar so that after communion, I could be assured that all of the

vessels used for communion were purified either by the Deacon, Minister of Holy Communion

or myself when the Liturgy of the Eucharist had concluded. This change created the confusion

in regard to when to sit.

Beginning today, after communion has been distributed;  I  will take the paten to the

altar and place any remaining hosts in the ciborium. I will then purify the chalice and

paten and have the server remove them from the altar. I will then take the ciborium

(filled with the Eucharist) to the tabernacle and after closing the door, I will genuflect

at which time we all will be seated.   Let’s be clear in catechizing, that we are sitting

because the Eucharist is no longer visible and not simply because Father sits.

How does one approach the Sacrament in the communion procession?

1.

With reverence

2.

With hands folded

3.

Singing

4.

When you have approached the priest, bow your head at the sight of

the Body of Christ

5.

When the priest proclaims:”The Body of Christ”

Respond with a clear: “Amen!”

6.

Raise your hands and “cradle” them to receive the host

or open your mouth to receive the host on your tongue.

7.

You may make the sign of the cross.

8.

You then may approach the minister who is distributing the Blood of Christ

and repeat the same reverence and response.

From the catechism of the Catholic Church

1381 + That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something

that ‘cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, ‘but only by faith, which

relies on divine authority.' For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 (‘This is my

body which is given for you.'), St. Cyril says: ‘Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather

receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'"

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore

Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,

See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart

Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.

Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;

How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;

What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;

Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.

Mark your calendar for the Diocesan culmination of this year of the Eucharist.

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

a day of prayer & catechesis

gathered around the Eucharist

Dedicated to Pope John Paul II

Keynote Speaker:

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick

Ocean City Convention Center

October 29,

2005   9am – 5:30pm