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I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ ... I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love.
-St. Ignatius of Antioch
"I throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a dog at the foot of his Master." -St. John Vianney
Listen to Fr. Simon's homily on Real Presence and Reverence to the Holy Eucharist. HERE -
THE HOLY EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
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Catholic Core Belief About the Eucharist:The Holy Eucharist is the "source and summit of the Christian life" (LG 11, CCC 1324). We, Catholics believe in the Real Presence.
The Holy Eucharist is not a symbol or a reminder. The Holy Eucharist is Lord Jesus Christ truly present, his Body under the form of bread, the Blessed Sacrament, and his Blood under the form of wine, the Precious Blood. It is the "Heart of the Heart of God" (Fr. Simon referencing to approved Eucharistic miracles). It is the sacrament in which Lord Jesus is truly present - Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine.
Preparation for Receiving Holy Communion:
- Be in a state of grace when we receive Holy Communion. If we have committed a mortal sin, we must first go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion. If one were to receive the Holy Eucharist in a state of mortal sin this would be the serious sin of sacrilege.
- We must actually believe that Lord Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist.
- We must observe the Holy Eucharistic fast of no food or drink (except water and medicine) for one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Those who need to take medicine with food would not be obligated by the ordinary norm.
- We must fully, actively and consciously participate in the liturgy during the Mass.
Receiving the Sacred Host:- We may recieve the Holy Communion standing in line or kneeling by the Holy Communion rail and either in the hand or on the tongue.
- When receiving the Sacred Host in the hand, we must consume the Sacred Host immediately in front of the Minister before walking away. It is NOT acceptable to walk away with the Sacred Host in our hand.
IMPORTANT: In the light of an incident that happened in our parish involving the desecration of the Blessed Eucharist, our priest, our ministers, and/or concerned parishioners may "intervene" should this norm be ignored. Someone might stop you from walking away with a Sacred Host in your hand. Please consume the Sacred Host before moving back to the pew.
- As a sign of Respect for Our Lord, when receiving the Sacred Host in the hand, the Sacred Host must be received with both hands, the left hand is to be placed upon the right hand, so that the Sacred Host can be conveyed to our mouth with our right hand. We should never receive the Sacred Host with one hand. If, for some reasons, we cannot receive it with both hands, we should receive the Sacred Host on the tongue.
- After receiving the Holy Eucharist we should spend time quietly in thanksgiving.
Non Catholic and Fellow Christians:Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily NOT admitted to Holy Communion. You may stay seated in the pews and may not to come to the altar.
Those who will not Receive Holy Communion:All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another. We welcome to St. Lambert Parish and to the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass those who do not share our faith in Lord Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.
Listen to Fr. Simon's homily on Real Presence and Reverence to the Holy Eucharist. HERE
