Jesus Christ, Who wishes to lead a soul to the Eucharist as to her sovereign grace, prepares her by a certain grace of sentiment which at first may be little appreciated. On First-Communion Day the feeling of happiness caused by the presence of Jesus is the first call; without the soul’s knowing it, this initial grace grows imperceptibly, very much like the germination of a seed in the earth. Well cared for, it later develops into a need, a disposition, a habit of thought, an instinct. Everything then points to the Eucharist; if the Eucharist is missing, everything is missing with it. A soul under the influence of this grace directs her piety, her virtues to the Blessed Sacrament. She experiences the need of Holy Mass and Communion. She feels drawn to enter churches to see the tabernacle. Something continually impels her in that direction. What is that power? The sovereign grace which, after having educated her, has become the mother of all her other graces, the moving principle of all her actions. She says: “I feel drawn to the Blessed Sacrament. It is not a sacrifice for me to be in Its presence. In fact, I am happy only there.” It could not be otherwise, for she is living according to her special grace…

 

… he that receives Holy Communion several times a week is drawn in a special way by the Eucharist; his sovereign grace is eucharistic. He must, therefore, turn all his other practices of piety to the Eucharist as to their mother and queen; he must foster them with the Eucharist, instill the eucharistic spirit into them.

 

The sap of a tree lies in the heart of it; it is protected by the wood and the bark. Everything in the tree tends to preserve it during the winter frosts, because it is the life of the tree.

 

Well, your sovereign grace is the sap of your spiritual life. It will make all the branches of your life fruitful. Preserve it and defend it as the heart, the soul of your supernatural life.

St. Peter Julian Eymard

 

this article discovered here

 

Archbishop Burke with Thomas McKenna

Note: In June Archbishop Raymond L. Burke was appointed by the Holy Father to serve as the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura.    The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the administrative appellate tribunal of the Holy See and, consequently, the highest judicial authority of the Catholic Church besides the Pope himself.

The Holy Eucharist: A Right or a Gift?

Examining the pastoral aspects of Canon 915 and respect for the Holy Eucharist.

Interview by Thomas J. McKenna

August 2008

Your Excellency, in today’s world there seems to be a lax attitude regarding the reception of the Holy Eucharist. Why do you think this is and do you feel that this affects the faithful in the way they lead their lives as Catholics?

One of the reasons I think that this laxity with regard to the Holy Eucharist has developed is that there has not been sufficient emphasis on Eucharistic devotion. Especially worship of the most Blessed Sacrament, through processions, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, extended times of adoration and 40 Hours Devotion. Without devotion to the Blessed Sacrament people quickly lose Eucharistic faith.

We know that there is a high percentage of Catholics who do not believe that the Eucharistic species are the Body and Blood of Christ. We know too that there is an alarming percentage of Catholics who do not participate in Sunday Mass. Another aspect is a loss of the sense of connection between the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance.

In the past, perhaps there was an exaggerated emphasis to the point where people thought that each time they were going to receive Holy Communion, they had first to go to Confession, even though they had not committed an unconfessed mortal sin. But now people go to Communion regularly and perhaps never, or very seldom, go to Confession. They have lost the sense of their own unworthiness to approach the Sacrament and of the need to confess their sins and embrace repentance in order to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Also connected with this is a sense that has grown up from the civil sphere, which is that receiving Holy Communion is a right, that I, as a Catholic, have a right to receive Holy Communion. It is true that once we are baptized and reach the age of reason we should be prepared for Holy Communion, and, as often as we are well disposed, we should receive Holy Communion. On the other hand we never have a right to Holy Communion. Who could claim that he has a right to receive the Body of Christ? This is all an act of God’s immeasurable love. Our Lord makes Himself available to us in His Body and Blood for Holy Communion. But we can never say that we have the right to Him, that we can demand to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion.

Each time we approach, we should approach with a profound sense of our own unworthiness.

These would just be some of the elements which I think have entered in and explain the lax attitude toward the Holy Eucharist, in general. We see this even in the way people dress for participation in Mass. For example, we see during Mass people going up to receive Holy Communion not folding their hands and even sometimes visiting with others along the way.

Some, even at the time they are actually receiving Holy Communion, do not show the proper reverence. All of these are indications of the need of a new evangelization regarding Eucharistic faith and practice.

There are laws of the Church to control inappropriate actions by the faithful for the good of the public. Could you please comment on this and explain to what degree the Church and the hierarchy have an obligation to intervene to clarify or correct issues.

With regard to the Holy Eucharist for instance, there are two canons in particular that have to do with the worthy reception of the sacrament. Canons 915 and 916. They have in mind two goods. One is the good of the person himself. To receive the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily is a sacrilege. To deliberately receive Holy Communion unworthily, when one is in the state of mortal sin, is a sacrilege. So, for the sake of the person himself, the Church has to instruct us that each time we are going to receive Holy Communion, we should first examine our conscience. If we have a mortal sin on our conscience, we should first confess that sin and receive absolution, and only then approach to receive the Sacrament.

Many times, our serious sins are hidden and only known to ourselves or maybe one or another person. In that case, we have to be the one to monitor the situation and discipline ourselves not to approach to receive Holy Communion. But there are other cases in which people are committing grave sins knowingly and publicly. An example is a public official who knowingly and willingly supports actions which are against the Divine and Eternal moral law; for instance, to publicly promote procured abortion, which is the taking of innocent, defenseless human life. A person who is sinning in this way publicly is to be admonished not to receive Holy Communion until he has reformed his life. If a person, who has been admonished but persists in serious or mortal sin in a public way, receives Holy Communion, then the minister of Holy Communion has the obligation to refuse Holy Communion to that person.

Why? First of all, for the sake of the salvation of the person himself, lest he commit a sacrilege. But, secondly, for the sake of the whole Church, lest there be scandal in two ways. Number one, scandal regarding what our disposition should be to receive Holy Communion. In other words, people would be led to think it is alright to be in the state of mortal sin and to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. Or it could be scandal, in a second way, in that people think that the public act which this person is committing, which everyone thinks is a serious sin, must not be so serious because the Church permits that person to receive Holy Communion.

If you have a public figure who is openly and deliberately supporting abortion rights, and that same person approaches and receives Holy Communion, what are people to think? They could be led to imagine that some how it is alright to support publicly the taking of innocent and defenseless lives in the womb. So the Church has these disciplines and they are very ancient. They actually go back to the times of St. Paul. But, throughout the Church’s history, She has always had to discipline the reception of Holy Communion which is the most sacred treasure we have in the Church.

It is the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ.

The Church has always had to discipline the reception of Holy Communion so that, number one, people do not approach and receive Holy Communion unworthily to their own serious moral harm; and number two, the faith in the Eucharist is always respected, and members of the Church are not led into confusion, or even error, regarding the sacredness of the Sacrament or of the moral law.

There are instances of Catholic public officials who attend Mass, receive the sacraments and publicly declare they are Catholic, but who, in practice, support legislation that is contrary to Catholic morality. Some of them, as a type of disclaimer, state that they feel that they are not doing anything wrong according to their conscience and that it is a private matter. Can you please comment on how this is erroneous and how forming one’s own conscience is not something subjective?

It is true that we must act in accord with the dictates of our conscience. But our conscience has to be properly formed. Our conscience must conform to the truth of situations. Conscience is not some sort of subjective reality where I make up for myself what is right and good. Rather, it is an objective reality where I conform my own thinking to what is true.

Sometimes people speak about their primacy of conscience in the sense that they say, “what ever I decide in my conscience, that is what I should do,” and that rules the day. Of course that is true as long as the conscience is properly formed. I like something that Cardinal George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, has said. “Rather than talk about the primacy of conscience, we should talk about the primacy of truth,” the truth of God’s moral law to which our conscience needs to be conformed.  Once it is properly informed, then of course, conscience has the primacy that is ascribed to it.

Some people say that it is a right to receive Holy Communion and that no one else has the right to tell another not to receive the Sacrament. Not even a bishop, priest or minister. What would you respond to them?

In responding to this question, the first thing that needs to be said is that the Body and Blood of Christ is a gift of God’s love to us. It is the greatest gift, a gift beyond our ability to describe. No one, therefore, has a right to the gift. Just as we don’t have a right to any gift that is given to us. A gift is freely given out of love and that is what God is doing for us every time we are able to participate in Mass and approach to receive Holy Communion. So to say that I have a right to receive Holy Communion is not correct.

If one means by this that, if he is well disposed and the Mass is being offered, he has a right to receive Holy Communion in the sense that he has a right to receive.  Yes, that is true. Now, regarding the reception of Holy Communion, there is Our Lord Himself who is involved. There is the person who is receiving Holy Communion. Then there is the minister of the Sacrament, the one who has the responsibility to make sure that the Sacrament is distributed only to those who are properly disposed.

Certainly the Church does have the right to tell someone who persists in public grave sin that he may not receive Holy Communion because he is not well disposed.  That right of the minister to refuse to give Holy Communion to someone who persists in public and grave sin is safe guarded in the Code of Canon Law, under canon 915. Otherwise the minister of Communion would be put in the situation of violating his conscience regarding a most serious matter, when he sees a notorious sinner coming to receive Holy Communion to the scandal of everyone, and he is somehow told he does not have the right to refuse to give Holy Communion, in such a circumstance.

That simply would be wrong.

The enforcement of compliance with Church law by a bishop, priest or even a Vatican office oftentimes seems to be perceived by some as a mean act or even bullying of the faithful. Many people seem to forget that the Church considers that when a person in not in a worthy state to receive the Holy Eucharist, generally it is because they are in a state of mortal sin which is very serious and directly related to their eternal salvation. It seems that when a bishop or priest enters into dialogue or takes disciplinary measures with a sinner, it is a mercy. That this is an outreach of the bishop or priest which is an obligation they have to the faithful under their care. To try to bring them back into the fold. For this reason the Church has these laws. Can you please comment on this aspect of ministry?

I certainly agree with this.  It is the greatest act of charity to prevent somebody from doing something that is sacrilegious that is, to warn them, and then actually refuse to be party to a sacrilege.  It is analogous to a parent whose child wants to play with fire and the parent refuses to let him.  We would not say that somehow the parent is being unkind to the child by disciplining him. We would say this parent is truly a loving parent. In the same way the Church, in Her love, prevents people from doing things that are gravely offensive to God and gravely damaging to their own souls.

Your Excellency, some say that when a member of the Catholic hierarchy publicly admonishes a Catholic, who holds a position of public office, he is using his influence to interfere in politics. How would you respond to this?

The Bishop or Church authority, it could be the parish priest, who intervenes in such situations, is dealing solely with the good of the soul of the politician or public figure who is involved. This has nothing to do with trying to influence public policy and has to do with the state of the soul of a politician or public official who happens to be Catholic and, therefore is held in the public sphere to follow the divine moral law. If he does not, he should be admonished by his pastor. So, to try to silence a shepherd from doing what is for the good of the soul of a member of the flock by telling him that it is interfering in politics is simply ridiculous and wrong.

This also flows from something that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI recently addressed with the bishops of the United States and, that is, the desire of certain people in our society to relegate religious faith completely to a private sphere and to say that it has nothing to do with the public square. That is simply wrong. We have to give witness to our faith not only in that part of our lives that we live in the privacy of our homes, but also in our public interaction with others to give a strong witness to Christ. So we have to break down that idea that somehow our religious faith is some completely private matter and has nothing to do with our public life.

this article discovered here

Why did Our Blessed Lord use bread and wine as the elements of this Memorial?

First of all, because no two substances in nature better symbolize unity than bread and wine. As bread is made from a multiplicity of grains of wheat, and wine is made from a multiplicity of grapes, so the many who believe are one in Christ.

 

Second, no two substances in nature have to suffer more to become what they are than bread and wine. Wheat has to pass through the rigors of winter, be ground beneath the Calvary of a mill, and then subjected to purging fire before it can become bread. Grapes in their turn must be subjected to the Gethsemane of a wine press and have their life crushed from them to become wine.

 

Thus do they symbolize the Passion and Sufferings of Christ, and the condition of Salvation, for Our Lord said unless we die to ourselves we cannot live in Him.

 

A third reason is that there are no two substances in nature which have more traditionally nourished man than bread and wine. In bringing these elements to the altar, men are equivalently bringing themselves.

 

When bread and wine are taken or consumed, they are changed into man’s body and blood. But when He took bread and wine, He changed them into Himself.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

 

this article discovered here

 

My mother’s commitment to the first Friday devotions and to the first Saturday devotions in hail, rain, and snow were a concrete, visible sign of her commitment, reverence, and fidelity to the great gift of the Eucharist. Her tender and consistent devotion to the nightly family rosary and our annual visits to Our Lady’s Shrine of Monk always left me with a sense of wonder about life and what was beyond this life.

 

The beautiful and attractively framed picture of a priest celebrating the Eucharist, that hung on our kitchen wall, was eye-catching for me. It vividly portrayed a priest raising the host at the consecration of the Mass, with angels descending from heaven and two altar boys kneeling on either side of the priest, reverently holding the end of his chasuble.

 

I was always attracted to that picture. That scene encased in a large gold frame often haunted me and hunted me. As a little boy, I often fantasized about becoming an altar server some day. As a visual learner, it left a powerful imprint on my imagination. That picture, more than anything else I can remember, placed the idea of priesthood in my mind. It caused me to think a lot about my future. I felt drawn to the Eucharist and drawn to the priesthood, although I was never really certain that this is what I wanted to do with my life…

 

These childhood and adolescent experiences influenced the way I choose to live out my specific calling in life. A priest is called to promote unity and reconciliation within himself, with others, and with God.

 

In effect, I am a priest today because of God’s graced invitation to consecrate my energies to a life of feeding people with the bread of life and the word of life.

Emmanuel Magazine - September, 1994

Fr. Thomas J. Morgan

 

this article discovered here

 

 

“Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”

“Suffering is the very best gift He has to give us. He gives it only to His chosen friends.”

St. Therese of Lisieux

 

Teresa [at] littlesouls [dot] org

 

 

 

I am with you. How often I repeat this. I, Jesus, am with you. I, Jesus, will never leave you. I see everything that occurs in your life. I understand exactly where your pain originates. Like nobody else, I

understand you. Much of the suffering my little ones experience is from loneliness. Even if you are surrounded by others, you can feel lonely. You see, dear apostles, each person feels alone until he rests with Me. It is only after becoming united to Me that you can love each other as you were intended to love each other.

 

There are many who do not allow unity with Me. I cannot force Myself upon them, because they are free to reject Me. But because they reject Me, they cannot love others as they were intended to love others. Others, sadly, remain unloved. Others become wounded. Others strike out in their pain, causing more distress.

 

Humanity was created to live on earth connected to God. My apostles, even though you struggle, you remain connected to Me. I am able to heal you and send love through you. The signs of My presence are all around you, even though you struggle. Believe this. If you look at a person who has rejected Me, you will see signs of that rejection. If you look at a world that has rejected Me, you will also see signs. My beloved ones, when you see signs that God has been rejected, you must remain peaceful. I, Jesus, have told you that change is necessary. I, Jesus, have told you that I desire change. I do not abandon you and I do not abandon the world. I have many friends in this world and you are among them. You trust Me, I know. I will honour the trust you have placed in Me. I will bring all things to the good, both in your life and in the world. I, the Blameless One, have never betrayed another and I will not betray you. Think often on the promises I have made to you. I have said I will never leave you. I have said I will protect My interests in your soul. I have said I will pursue conversion of your loved ones. During this time, I want each apostle to consider these promises. Serve Me in steadiness, of course, but also, serve Me in peace.

 

Dear apostles, you are connected to Me. You accept My love. You know that just as I cherish you, I cherish all others. My dear friends, please live these truths because others are looking to you for example. Please. Give an example of joyful trust. I need this from you so that I can draw hurting souls back to Me.

 

I am with you. I will help you to do this.

 

Monthly message as given to Anne a lay apostle (Ireland)

July 1, 2007

 

 

 

Most of the very worst happening to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are living in the Holy Land, we never hear about.  The situation is so difficult that many are living at standards well below those living in third world countries.  Travelling from city to city is virtually impossible due to government constraints imposed in an attempt to minimize terrorist attacks within Israel.

 

The Christians of the Holy Land are, at present, less than 2% of the total population.  Recent events in Gaza do not bode well for the remaining Christian Palestinians.  During the course of the present Intifada (over the past 7 years), many Christians have lost their positions which were held with concerns in Israel.  Even if they could secure positions in Israel, they can’t travel there.

 

Although historically the tourist trade was reliable in enabling them to eke out a basic living by way of making beautiful olive wood carvings, the terrorist-initiated events in Israel have severely constricted the tourist trade, and thus, hope of income.  Direct and extended family members of Christian families still in Bethlehem and throughout the Palestinian territories are making these products available for purchase here in the United States.

 

One such group is called “Bethlehem Christians.”  Please take a moment and visit their web site.  Supporting this project has a direct beneficial impact on Our Precious Savior’s followers in the land of His birth. www.bethlehemchristians.com You can also reach them by phone on 703.244.7569  They are located in Lynchburg, Virginia.

 

There, but for the grace of God, go I.

 

 

 

Dear apostles, I send you a spirit of gentleness. Because you are called to treat others as I treated others, you are called to be gentle with all those around you. This call to gentleness in no way diminishes the call to live in the truth. If you preach the truth as I did, gently, you will draw others to us and to unity of thought and action. In this time, when it is so important that souls be brought back into the family of God, we must be ever so careful to be gentle with others in each interaction.

 

I am Jesus. I am filled with love for each soul you encounter, regardless of their condition. View each person through My love and treat them with My gentleness. My dearest apostle, in order to allow yourself to heal from any wounds you yourself suffer, you must allow Me to minister to you. I am tender hearted with your failings. Remember this and do not turn away from Me when you feel you have failed. If you do not allow Me to minister to you during periods of unrest, you will be vulnerable to the distortions which can be sown by the enemy.

 

Apostles walking with Me inspire hope in the world. This is the plan. But My friends must remember that apostles walking with Me also inspire fear in the enemy. The enemy’s fear causes him to lash out at the friends of the Returning King. Be at peace in this as it has always been this way and there is no reason for anything but confidence in My plan for each day of every life. At the same time, be prepared to do battle for your holiness as I did battle. If you remain with Me, the battles will make you stronger and holier. That is My goal.

 

Accept the gentle ministrations of your Saviour in silence and you will then be an able carrier of this gentleness to others. Beloved friends, so loyal to your God, you will stand out if you are gentle and it is this that I need from you. I need you to stand out as calm and gentle representatives of the different way. The world will remember you for your gentleness if you allow Me to teach you. You are not called to change the world. I am called to change the world. You are called to represent Me accurately so that I have the opportunity with each soul you encounter.

 

Through your love, your kindness and your gentleness, you will create heavenly opportunities for Me in the people around you. I will never miss an opportunity, I promise you. I make the best possible use of your efforts. I thank you, dear friend. Your fidelity to the Father will not be forgotten.

 

Through Anne, a lay apostle

On the first of every month, Our Lord gives Anne a new message about His call to service.

 

September 1, 2007

 

 

When you awake in the morning, let your first act be to salute My Heart, and to offer Me your own…. Whoever shall breathe a sigh toward Me from the bottom of his heart when he awakes in the morning and shall ask Me to work all his works in him throughout the day, will draw Me to him … For never does a man breathe a sigh of longing aspiration toward Me without drawing Me nearer to him than I was before.

Our Lord to Saint Mechtilde (+1298)

When I survey the wondrous Cross

On which the Prince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,

Spreads o’er His body on the tree;

Then I am dead to all the globe,

And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

by Isaac Watts, 1707Pf

 

 

 

When the great explorer Shackleton was on his quest for the South Pole, he was at one time driven back, and was compelled to leave some of his men on Elephant Island, though he promised that he would return for them.

 

But when he endeavored to get back, he found a sea of ice between him and the island. What should he do? He had promised, and he must keep his word.

 

He tried to reach them, but failed. He tried again and again, but without success. Beyond the ice were his trusting companions, who had every confidence in him. They had only a few supplies with them. At that time of the year it seemed folly to hope for any favorable change in the weather, and he was told that there was absolutely no hope of getting his little boat, the Yalcho, through the great ice barrier to Elephant Island.

 

He could not be inactive. He must reach his men; so at the risk of losing his boat and the lives of his crew, he pushed in nearer to the island; and unexpectedly there came an opening in the ice. He hurried in, rescued his men, and in an hour was back again with all on board. Had they been delayed only a few minutes more, their frail vessel would have been destroyed by the crashing of the ice as it closed in.

 

When they were sure they were beyond danger and the nervous tension was over, Shackleton said to one of the rescued companions, Well, you were packed and ready, weren’t you?

 

Yes, came back the reply, We never lost hope. We believed you would come for us, even though circumstances were unfavorable. You had promised, and we expected you; so each morning we rolled up our sleeping bags and packed all our equipment, that we might be ready. And now they were all safe and homeward bound, happy that they had been prepared daily.

 

Before Jesus departed from this world, He left a definite promise in John 14:1-4. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises.

 

by Charles L. Paddock

 

Just a tiny vessel, adrift on the open sea,

tossed, turned, and often windblown . . . .

Without the love of Jesus,

where would I be?

His love for me is everlasting,

He even loves me when I fall.

He loves me unconditionally,

and that’s the best of all.

I know that I’m accepted,

as I give Him my heart to fill.

I surrender my life, my wishes,

to His most perfect will.

I know that I am nothing,

nor could I ever be,

without His tender mercies,

without His love for me.

© 2006 Sandra Lewis Pringle

I have witnessed in my life, time and time again,

God’s love for me, and those around me.

He is real, He is faithful, and He is awesome!

Whenever we call upon Him in faith, He answers.

He fails us not.

If you do not know Him,

seek Him and seek Him now,

while He may yet be found.

 

this poem discovered here