On the eve of Corpus Christi, Observed, 2012, my family and I attended Mass in my parents' home parish. A retired priest who helps out at the parish celebrated Mass. He gave a lengthy homily—something I'm always happy to see, especially on an important feast. The homily was largely theologically correct; most of the errors were minor and stemmed, as the priest himself admitted, from the fact that he had never studied Eucharistic theology. (Presumably, he meant that he had not studied it beyond his time in the seminary, 50 or so years ago.) For an admitted novice, he did pretty well.
In his homily, Father stressed the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; he made it clear that the Eucharistic elements are not and cannot be mere symbols. On the afternoon of Corpus Christi Sunday itself, the parish was holding a Eucharistic procession, which would involve a walk of several miles from my parents' church to the Catholic church in the neighboring town. The entire procession would take place along state and federal highways, and would cross over a bridge that forms a bottleneck for people coming from miles around to spend their Sunday at the Lake Michigan shore.
In short, the procession, led by the Eucharistic Body of Christ, would be a great sign of the parish's belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion and a wonderful tool of evangelization.
So I hope it is clear that, in the following remarks, my intention is not to run down either the priest or the parish. Still, there was one part of Father's homily that bothered me greatly, because it illustrates how easy it is for our belief in the Real Presence to become merely abstract, and not something that affects how we live our lives.
Father told a story from his days, a few years back, as the Catholic chaplain at a local hospital. A patient had told the hospital that she was a member of my parents' parish, but she didn't recognize Father, and he didn't recognize her.
As they talked, she revealed that she had left the parish a few years earlier, when a previous pastor had removed the tabernacle from the center of the church (where the high altar had once been) and placed it in the "Eucharistic chapel" (which had previously been Saint Mary's chapel), off to the side of the sanctuary. The wall of the chapel facing the sanctuary is glass, and the tabernacle was placed in the corner nearest the sanctuary, on an altar made from the wood of the former altar rail, which was removed shortly before the tabernacle was moved. The tabernacle was, therefore, visible to most (though not all) of the congregation.
Still, this change was upsetting to many parishioners, and not just to the woman in the hospital, and it was made worse by the fact that the pastor who had moved the tabernacle replaced it with his celebrant's chair. That's right: He moved the tabernacle to a separate chapel so that he could place himself where the tabernacle and high altar had been, up three steps at the rear wall of the sanctuary. To many parishioners, this signified an inversion of priorities. (Another former pastor, the priest who had baptized me, given me my First Communion, been present at my Confirmation, and presided over my marriage, often celebrated Mass at my parents' parish after he moved back to the area in his retirement. A few minutes before Mass, he would always ascend the three steps to where the former high altar had been, take hold of the celebrant's chair, and move it back down to its proper place in the sanctuary.)
But back to Father's homily on Corpus Christi.
Father did not say that the woman in the hospital had quit attending Mass altogether; she may well have started attending Mass at a different parish. What he did say, though, was that this woman had made a mistake. What is most important is not what used to be up there, he said—pointing to where the tabernacle used to be—but what we are doing down here at every Sunday and daily Mass.
As it happened, just two days earlier, Pope Benedict, discussing the need for Eucharistic adoration, had said something rather different in his homily for Corpus Christi:
It is a mistake to establish a contrast between celebration and adoration, as if they were in competition with one another. The opposite is true. The cult of the Blessed Sacrament represents the spiritual "environment" within which the community can celebrate the Eucharist correctly and truthfully. Only if preceded, accompanied and followed by this interior attitude of faith and adoration, can liturgical activity express its full meaning and value.
I doubt that Father had read Pope Benedict's homily, but his remarks seemed exactly what the Holy Father had in mind. And when it came time to receive Holy Communion, I was struck by the truth of Pope Benedict's words. My parents' parish makes extensive use of extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, and that night, several were not dressed as well as they should have been, considering what—or rather, Whom—they were distributing. Indeed, my mother told me, a few weeks before the pastor of the parish had requested that more parishioners volunteer to be extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist—and, in doing so, had said that they shouldn't refrain from volunteering because they weren't properly dressed.
Think of the lost opportunity: Would it not have been better to have used the call for volunteers as a teaching moment, by suggesting that everyone should come to Mass dressed as if he or she might be the one to distribute Holy Communion that night? It is not as if the pastor or the retired priest doesn't understand what is signified by dressing well for Mass; their own vestments are quite nice, and all of the ushers wear matching coats, and the choir all have fairly elaborate robes. But when it comes to those who will distribute the Body and Blood of Christ—well, anything goes, apparently.
Again, the parish's Corpus Christi procession and Father's homily seemed to indicate that belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is alive and well in my parents' parish. But what effect does that belief have on those who believe it?
"Say what you mean, and mean what you say." If we truly believe in those things we profess, our actions should mirror our words. If they don't, we need to take a step back and consider whether we really do mean what we say we believe—or whether we're simply repeating the words.
Amen!!! I could not have said it any better than that!
good post, at my old church there were gowns for the Eucharistic ministers, so there was never a problem . i wish it was more common place to do this.
Patricia, if I could give you a prize, I would.
Over on the About.com Catholicism Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AboutCatholicism/posts/10150898361522113), I’ve been discussing this article with two readers, who objected strenuously, while completely overlooking the fact that the parish in question provides jackets to ushers and robes to choir members.
As I wrote in one comment over there, “If it’s important for an usher to wear a jacket to hand out bulletins, but it is completely unimportant what one wears to distribute the Eucharist, what message does that send about the relative values of the Eucharist and the bulletin?”
Think about what happens around our Lord, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit every time a Mass is celebrated, yes, celebrated here on earth. The Heavenly host does not dress as though coming in from yard work or the beach. Can we humans, always strive to do better than we have done before, especially due to the fact that we’d like to perfect our relationship with God?
I agree with all your comments. The Eucharist should be treated with respect but in many catholic churches I see this is not what is practiced. A coworker of mine is going on a 2 week tour of Italy and knows to have a shawl or short jacket that covers her arms because many of the churches require proper modest attire. This is only common sense but sadly many disregard or lack this judgment not jsut in church but in other formal or special occasions. People want to dress down all the time- This is not only a sign of lack of class it shows they have little respect for the person being honored be it a wedding or in this discussion Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And please do not tell me many cannot afford proper clothing, dress shirts and womens outifts are cheaper in thrift stores than jeans and tshirts.
I wholeheartly agree with the original post and comments! While dress is certainly an issue, there are so many others unbefitting the Church. In my parish I have witnessed those “dressed” who refuse to mute their cell phones, mothers who allow their children to play in the aisles (providing sustenance – both food and drink for the misbehavior,) parishioners who won’t keep their mouths shut, and just recently the back of a pew covered with a “scribble/scrabble” from a marker! It’s as though some people feel they grace God by their presence instead of the other way around. There have been times I have left Mass, to angry to remain. Perhaps if enough of us employ respectful behavior, it will become contagious and we can re-establish the focus of the Mass – not us!
Judge not lest you be judged. Perhaps people don’t show the respect they aught to but we should not judge them either. We don’t know why they do what they do. Perhaps there is a reason. If it disturbs you close your eyes and concentrate on Jesus, not those around you.
I believe that some day, it will be acknowledged that the failure to kneel to receive the Eucharist, receiving in the hand, and Extraordinary Ministers handing out Jesus as if he were a chiclet, are the reasons why so few believe in the real presence or act as if they are in the presence of God. I see it as one of the greatest errors in the history of the Church.
I have heard so many beautiful homilies on the Real Presence and the Eucharist and every single one of them leaves out how one should behave in the presence of the Lord. There is no reverence anymore. Mass ends and everyone starts to socialize, literally standing next to those who are on their knees, wanting to spend some more time in prayer.
I have witnessed people coming early to church, sitting in my pew while I am on my knees praying a rosary and they proceed to have a social conversation at full volume. They have not come early to pray or worship or beg for mercy. They ignore Jesus in the Tabernacle. Their actions state that they have no respect for me.
Then, they get up at communion time to hand out Jesus. It breaks my heart. I would be so happy to spend an hour on my knees for communion if it meant getting rid of the EM’S. What are the chances for that?
I don’t see what we wear, as long as it’s not immoral of vulgar, as violating the importance of celebration, faith and adoration, which I fully support as imperative. I would ask, what would Jesus say?? What did he wear at the Last Supper? It was a family friendly, supper, get together. The Father is Our Father and Jesus is our Brother and the celebration of Mass is an intimate family get together. We should never be sloppy irrevent but we needn’t be stuff shirts either and bleeding deacons should rethink. The situation dictates, use good judgement and employ common sense.
Scott, perfectly said and a needed reminder. Thus, I sent this to all our EMs as a friendly reminder. Are we at the beach, doing gardening, or nourishing Christ’s people with His Holy Body and Blood. Thank you!
What a paradox, true most of us take the Body of Christ like a ritual. Serious introspection before the Holy Eucharistic is vital before pertaking Holy communion
Hi Scott
“Say what you mean, and mean what you say.”
Thanks for this post. Your sensitivity in pointing out the lack of congruity between behavior and our relationship with our Savior is yet another reason why I keep coming back to you at about.com. The Holy Spirit is truly present in what you keep writing about the Catholic Church. (You don’t have to take my word for that.)
Unfortunately, this is yet another example of the lack of ‘spirit’ in the practice of our religion which can cause faithful like you to cringe.
The irony is that all the graces are available for the Spirit to take over every action of ours (including writing on the Church) and it’s so sad (blessed are those that mourn) to see this happening to our Lord.
How truly hurt He must be by ‘indifference’ and the like is expressed in the Divine Mercy novena that you promoted recently.
His blessings on us all, and especially on you and yours.
verserver
I have to disagree with you about the attire. My husband and I are eucharist ministers are are often called upon at the last minute to distribute communion as the scheduled people are not there.
I don’t believe our parish priest checks through the congregation to see who is dressed ‘appropriately’, whatever you mean by that. I dress well — I wear clean, respectful clothes, which may even been jeans or capris, but this hasn’t stopped our priest from asking me to be the Eucharist Minister that day.
I’ve seen people dressed up with their finest — fur coats, jewels, etc.. How is their attire better than mine? Perhaps they can afford the finer things in life and I can’t, but that doesn’t make them better at distrubuting the body and blood of Christ, does it?
“My husband and I are eucharist ministers are are often called upon at the last minute to distribute communion as the scheduled people are not there.”
Carol, my point exactly. As I wrote:
“Think of the lost opportunity: Would it not have been better to have used the call for volunteers as a teaching moment, by suggesting that everyone should come to Mass dressed as if he or she might be the one to distribute Holy Communion that night?”
“I’ve seen people dressed up with their finest—fur coats, jewels, etc.”
An extraordinary minister of the Eucharist who wears a fur coat when distributing the Body of Christ is not very different from one who wears a tank top to do so. Both are drawing attention to themselves rather than to Him Whose Body we are there to receive. (The one in the fur coat may be dressed more modestly, but the effect may be similar.)
I didn’t bother to mention that one can err in both directions, because I’ve never seen an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist wearing a fur coat (or, say, a tuxedo or a wedding dress, all of which would be equally inappropriate). The point is appropriate dress, which shows respect for—and reflect belief in—the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. And part of that making sure that the way you dress does not draw attention to yourself at the expense of Christ.
Unfortunately, Extraordinary Eucharistic ministers have become a
permanent fixture in most parishes. The term extraordinary should
be dropped since in most cases they give out communion under
circumstances which are “ordinary”, week day Masses for instance.
As far as dress in concerned, people have lost their sense of what
is appropriate and what is not. We live under the tyranny of the
casual.
Thank you for the article. I try to go to daily Mass, and was a Eucharistic minister. The schoolchildren were recently at a Mass, a the Sr. Principle came over to us daily attendants to ask for more Eucharistic ministers. I was not dressed in anything more than just my daily attire, and did not volunteer to help out. I felt bad for days afterward, felt like I let God down by not volunteering, but I would have wanted to be spiritually prepared and dressed accordingly. I felt like she asked for more volunteers to make things go quickly. We are receiving our King, and if the line is a little slow, it gives me more time for reflection on what is about to happen. That is not a bad thing.
Paul: You are mistaken. The Last Supper was not a family-friendly, casual get-together, it was the Passover meal. People came from all over the country to celebrate it in Jerusalem and it was a big, formal affair that required meticulous preparation. People wore their best clothes, cooked fancy meals, and had special sets of fancy dishes they used only at Passover.
There is a difference between not being appropriately dressed when you have plenty of opportunity and time to do so, and between being called upon suddenly. There is a difference between having bad taste and being vulgar. There is a difference between being disrespectful and being poor. I find that this discussion often brings forth a comment or two of this variety: “What difference does it make, God loves everyone.” We know perfectly well it makes a difference. And if you are the rare, but real, sort of person who really doesn’t care what anyone wears, then please know that that is your own personality trait, and that other people really are bothered by such things. It is an act of charity and understanding to dress appropriately for those people, just as it is an act of charity and understanding to realize that a poor person’s clothes may be threadbare but the best he has.
To those who wear summer/beachy clothing while distributing the Most Holy Eucharist because they were called at the last minute and arguably could not change clothing I say this: although I am not a betting person, I would bet all my savings that if they had been suddenly called at the very last minute to join a White House dinner, they would have surely found enough time to ditch the capris, tank tops and flip-flops in favor of a nice little black dress or a suit. There is a close connection between the widespread lack of reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by parishoners and Eucharistic Ministers alike and the general loss of faith in the Most Real Presence that Pope Benedict decries.
A nice sash for communion ministers would do great, considering many who live in the tropics.
Gail: I disagree. It would be fatuous to think most people of that day had money or fancy clothes. Jesus went out of his way both in parables and straight talk that those who dress up and talk the talk but don’t walk the walk aren’t to be trusted and we shouldn’t follow/imitate them Matthew 6:28 and Matthew 10:9 -14. He also said that the worst sin is to demean or humiliate anyone. The folks who got the loaves and fishes weren’t dressed up, (I know it wasn’t Mass but it was a celebration with Jesus), and that is how folks went to the celebration of the Mass for the first few centuries when it was often celebrated outside as well as inside. As I stated earlier we should never be irreverent in our attire but those who are “dressed to the nines” and look down to those who are casually dressed often represent, I believe, the Pharasiees. My opinion only but it is obvious all commenters Love Our Father, Jesus and Holy Ghost!!
I remember my mother always prepared a Sunday dress for me to wear when we went to church.
I still do. Ingrained from childhood.
so sad to see that only a few churches now still have communion rails and even so, it’s now acceptable and common practice to receive JESUS standing up and the sacred Host placed on one.ca hands.
Now it’s been reduced to 1 hour but I know some don’t observe this anymore. Most likely, lack of catechesis.
Our priest do it AFTER mass instead.
I remember kneeling down at the communion rail wearing a veil to receive Holy Communion.
I remember fasting at least 3 hrs before receiving communion.
I remember the emphasis on receiving the sacrament of reconciliation BEFORE the mass.
I can go on & on but all these mitigated practices can only be corrected if the Pope’s teachings are shared and PRACTICED by every church leader by example so that they show the laity they WALK THE TALK instead of DO AS I TELL YOU.
May the Holy Spirit enlighten all of us. Dona Nobis Pacem.
I became a Roman Catholic two years ago because of the number of masses offered each week and the convenient location of the church. (I’m old and can’t always get to morning service.) A point not worth arguing is that I was Anglican Catholic for 60 years before – Episcopalian, but Catholic nonetheless. I was honored to serve as a lay Eucharist minister for four years and there were strict rules about dress and behavior at the altar. We wore special robes to serve at altar. Father served the Body of Christ (the bread of heaven) and the lay ministers served the Blood (the cup of salvation). There were many rituals observed with great piety, reverence, and love. The Roman church I attend now is so casual that I might as well be going to a fundamentalist, protestant church. Women in spaghetti-strapped dresses and men in shorts and flip-flops are depressing to look at. I am glad that people can come to church even if they don’t have “Sunday-Best” clothing, but isn’t there a point where one should show more respect for the Lord? This holiest of meals is not a barbeque!
Here’s something I’d like everyone to consider re attire for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass:
Would you dress better for a simple, earthly activity such as a job interview than you would for receiving the King of the Universe?
How we try to dress, relative to our abilities and position in life, has an effect on our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Mass.
If you make a point of always dressing well (whenever possible) to meet our Lord you will develop a greater sense of the enormity of what is taking place.
- Reg.
I fear all this talk is superfluous and petty? Jesus didn’t mind who of his fisher men freinds dressed conservatively and who was casual. The motivation in this current forum is to refocus on the solemnity and mystery of the Eucharist, not getting embroiled in this petty bourgeois snobbery. Come on people, don’t sweat the small stuff.
I agree! It is the Lord’s Home & the privledge of not only being a Eucharistic Minister but being invited to his supper each week is an honor, & yet many attend without a show of respect. As a child growing up, while we didn’t have a lot of money nor did anyone in our Parrish everyone looked their best. This respect & pride have been lost. Those same people who come to the Lord’s table in shorts & flip flops would not go to a wedding, party or to an interview in this dress, so why come to the Lord’s home?
I was about 4 years deep into a research project comparing normative tenets (modern ideas) against roots of original works & author’s words, sourcing the oldest texts manuscripts available, when a reference to the prophet Jeremiah, sent me to the Bible, the Old Testament. As a Catholic, I was quietly embarrassed that I had never read the Bible- any version, cover to cover.
I must MUST M U S T implore each & every soul professing to love CHRIST JESUS , from Catholic to non-denominational Christians, READ the entire Bible…. any copy, any translation, & make it a do or die priority….. there is simply nothing more crucial or valuable in the existence of man than a full, all-the-way-through, read of the word of GOD.
Nothing is more important than knowing what GOD has told us- in HIS WORDS
if you do not believe this, you are vain & part of the very group Jesus does NOT KNOW-
I challenge you to give a valid explanation for why you would be accepted by GOD if you refuse to humble yourself to listening to HIM directly….
Some questions you will find answers to:
1. What does atonement mean?
2. Why did Mary need a savior?
3. What are the cost & currency of sin?
4. What happened to the Levi inheritance?
5. Why did God tell prophets about a Messiah? What were those people doing?
6. Why does God wipe out Judea when their legacy of vain high priests add the Scripture & incorporate the veneration of the queen of heaven?
7. The Old Testament predicts the Savior, the New Testament predicts His Return….. why would we need a SAVIOR AGAIN? & what is HE saving us fron before He takes HIS THRONE & makes His enemies His Footstool?
8. What is the abomination of desolation?
9. Who is the man of perdition?
10. What frame work for a priest hierarchy was in existence at the time of CHRIST that has enough influence to lead the world astray until the return of OUR LORD?
When the apostles ask Jesus about the ‘last days’…the first words Jesus answers are “be not deceived”
II can