Traditional Catholic Charismatic Orthodoxy

Our young priest made a comment just after "the Greeting of the Assembled People" yesterday. He reminded the assembly that as we celebrate the Mass we are joining in heavenly worship with the angels and saints. He then said that sometimes he wonders if the angels and saints are laughing at our lackluster responses and singing.

I wrote this post last year about reverence, especially while receiving Holy Communion. Reading that post would be helpful to better understand my position about a few liturgical issues. But here's a snapshot from that post:

I was born in 1967, post Vatican II, so my childhood saw remnants of the past being replaced, changed, or removed. I remember going to Mass as a very young boy and watching my parents receive Holy Communion at the altar rail. By the time I received Holy Communion for the first time, the altar rail had been removed, and we were taught to receive on the tongue or in the hand. I have always preferred to receive on the tongue, and truth be known, I would love for the Communion rail to come back. I embrace the few times we get to respond or sing in Latin. I love that connection to Church history.

Other thoughts I have posted with regards to Liturgy or related topics are here, here, and here just to note a few.

I absolutely love the reverence shown in the TLM and the Orthodox Liturgies and what that reverence teaches us...reminds us of.

For several years, when I lived in Louisiana, I attended a church that was part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. (For those that are unfamiliar with this, the Charismatic Renewal is in full communion with Rome.) I guarantee that there was never a lackluster response or less than maximum effort in the singing or participation in the Mass.

When preparing for the Revised Roman Missal translation changes, the Bishops stated that their hope was that the effort would bring about more "full, active, and conscious participation" in the Mass. As we prepared in our parish here in Texas, I often thought of those days in the charismatic Catholic church.

The charismatics I associated with could not be described as irreverent for sure. But at the church I attended there was time during each Mass where the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit were...well, on display.

I state it in this manner because I firmly believe that such should be practiced outside of Mass. It's not that I think that the gifts of the Spirit are irreverent, but what is "the better part" given to us...charismatic gifts, or the Mass itself?

I believe that the true focus was lost. Case in point; a strong and mature Catholic who attended Mass there regularly once told me that they had to attend Mass at a "regular parish" for several straight weeks, and that it was good to get back to "real church". I wonder...did Jesus forget to show up in the Eucharist at that other parish?

I often wonder if I am an oddity. I love the Mass we celebrate today post-Vatican II, but I believe that much of our tradition, especially the reverence once shown has been lost. Being honest, it actually hurts.

Can't we bring the richness and beauty of all of these together?

Sometimes I just wish for some sort of Traditional Catholic Charismatic Orthodoxy.

When it's time to sing, sing! When it's time to respond, respond fully knowing what you are saying! Stop going through the motions; pretty please. Quick checking your mobile device. Focus on Jesus before, during, and after Communion. Please don't be so quick to rush out of church or nearly kill someone getting out of the parking lot.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O Good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malignant enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me. And bid me come unto Thee, That with all Thy saints, I may praise thee Forever and ever. Amen.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Amen.

O Lord, deprive me not of thy heavenly blessings. O Lord, deliver me from eternal torments. O Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. O Lord, deliver me from…littleness of soul and stony hardness of heart. O Lord, deliver me from every temptation. O Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desire hath darkened. O Lord, I, being man, have sinned: do thou, being God, in loving kindness forgive me. O Lord, send down thy grace to help me, that I may glorify thy holy name. O Lord Jesus Christ, enroll me thy servant in the book of life. O Lord my God, even though I have done nothing good in thy sight, yet grant me, according to thy grace, to make a beginning of good. O Lord, sprinkle on my heart the dew of thy grace. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me thy sinful servant, cold of heart and impure, in thy kingdom. O Lord, receive me in repentance. O Lord, leave me not. O Lord, lead me not into temptation. O Lord, grant me thought of good. O Lord, grant me tears, a remembrance of death, and a sense of peace. O Lord, grant me mindfulness to confess my sins. O Lord, grant me humility, charity, and obedience. O Lord, grant me endurance, magnanimity, and gentleness. O Lord, plant in me the root of all blessings, the fear of thee in my heart. O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love thee with all my heart and soul and in all things obey thy will. O Lord, shield me from evil men and devils and passions and all other unlawful things. O Lord, who knowest thy creation and what thou hast willed for it; may thy will also be fulfilled in me a sinner; for thou art blessed for evermore. Amen.

Reverence: Catholic Cataclysmic Failure

The past several decades of incredibly bad catechesis, combined with an ever-compounding  failure of Catholics to properly form themselves and thus their children, have effectively caused an inability for many to decipher (much less to be able to explain) what makes the Catholic Church "different" from other Christian ecclesial Communities.

The effects of such have been cataclysmic, and NO, I am NOT over-reacting!

This past Monday, in "Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Necessity or Convenience", I stated:

I like to post articles which draw attention to a more reverent attitude toward the Liturgy, the Sacraments, and especially the Eucharist.

Because of the aforementioned reasons, many find this conversation "difficult", and many refuse to enter into it (the discussion) or even consider availing themselves of well-documented Christian history, which is more accessible (and affordable for sure) than ever through today's technology.

That said, I believe the items below "draw attention to a more reverent attitude toward the Liturgy, the Sacraments, and especially the Eucharist":

Fr. Z responds to a question about women lectors in which he states

"because the lectorate has always been a step to Holy Orders, women reading in the sanctuary can be seen by some as a step to the ordination of women to the priesthood."

Of course, a less damaging yet still wrongful misunderstanding can also be concluded via male lectors who clearly are not "officially instituted" as a "step to ordination". See the full post here.
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Max Lindenman writes

I've only served as an EM on an emergency basis; it was all I could do to remember to wipe the chalice. I had no idea how much on-the-spot legal analysis the job can potentially involve. 

...and then links to an Ed Peters piece regarding the canons governing reception, distribution  and withholding of Communion.
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Adoremus in Aeternum, A Catholic Gathering shared a most excellent article by John Vennari "The Day the Host Dropped" which includes a look at some Christian history

First of all, Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that “out of reverence for this Sacrament, nothing touches it but what is consecrated.” Thus, he said the sacred vessels of the altar are consecrated for this holy purpose, but also, the priest’s hands are consecrated for touching this Sacrament. And St. Thomas said that it is therefore not lawful for anyone else to touch it, except to save it from desecration. (Summa, III, Q. 82. Art. 3)

...as well as how we treated the Eucharist not so long ago

1) From the moment the priest pronounces the words of the Consecration over the Sacred Host, the priest keeps his forefinger and thumb together on each hand. Whether he elevates the chalice, or turns the pages of the missal, or opens the tabernacle, his thumb and his forefinger on each hand are closed. The thumb and forefinger touch nothing but the Sacred Host; 

2) During Holy Communion, the altar boy holds the paten under the chin of those receiving Communion, so that the slightest particle does not fall to the ground. This paten is cleaned into the chalice afterwards; 

3) After Holy Communion is distributed, the priest scrapes the corporal (the small linen cloth on the altar) with the paten, and cleans it into the chalice so that if the slightest particle is left, it is collected and consumed by the priest; 

4) Then, the priest washes his thumb and forefinger over the chalice with water and wine, and this water and wine is reverently consumed to insure that the smallest particle of the Sacred Host is not susceptible to desecration.

Disclaimer: Any links to or references to persons or organizations which may advocate schismatic ideologies or tendencies or in any way lend to an insinuation of anything other than complete fidelity to the Holy See and/or Magisterium are NEVER intended to represent me or my beliefs in any way. NEVER.
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On a personal note, my son Brandon and my Faith Formation class will all be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time tonight. Please say a prayer for these and all children. Thank you, and God's blessings be with you and your families.

The Body of Christ. Amen!

I love the Mass. In fact, I love Liturgy in general. I serve in various liturgical ministries in my parish, and love serving at Mass as often as possible.

One of those ministries is as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.  I've seen enough on social media outlets to know that some Catholics just stopped reading. That's a post for another day, maybe. However, there is a need in my very large parish, I was asked several times, and I finally gave in, serving as a substitute when there is a shortage of ministers.

I am marked but don't label me

I was born in 1967, post Vatican II, so my childhood saw remnants of the past being replaced, changed, or removed.  (Just lost a few more I think.)  But please don't stick any labels on me.

I remember going to Mass as a very young boy and watching my parents receive Holy Communion at the altar rail. By the time I received Holy Communion for the first time, the altar rail had been removed, and we were taught to receive on the tongue or in the hand. I have always preferred to receive on the tongue, and truth be known, I would love for the Communion rail to come back. I embrace the few times we get to respond or sing in Latin. I love that connection to Church history. That doesn't mean that I think something's wrong with you if you think otherwise.

Steam-punk Sacred

However, there is a serious reason that I long for a past that I really never experienced. It's called reverence. For quite some time I have noticed a lack of reverence for the Eucharist, and I'm sorry to say that it does not appear to be improving very much.

The Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ present in the Eucharist should make us tremble with awe and Holy Fear of the Lord. Too often, though, it is evident that for many it is just another "altar call" or that time when we get to get up out of our seats and walk around a bit.

“The faithful should receive Communion kneeling or standing, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined”, with its acts having received the recognitio of the Apostolic See. “However, if they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that they give due reverence before the reception of the Sacrament, as set forth in the same norms” (Redemptionis Sacramentum)

Residential Reverence

Don't get me wrong, my pastor (and his predecessors) and our Liturgy Commission have spent quite a bit of time and effort trying to educate people about properly receiving Communion. More than one priest has reminded people that Judas was the first to leave the table. It seems as though some do not listen, or worse, do not care.

Let's face it. Children are going to learn to show reverence (or not) for the Eucharist in the example of their parents first and then that of those who they regularly observe at Mass. No matter what our priests and catechists teach, they will watch closely and emulate. As if approaching Christ is not enough in and of itself, let us all be mindful of the children, the future of the Church.

Begin With Basics

This is a video which was approved by my pastor for our parish. It is not all-inclusive but it at least touches on some of the very basics. Norms outside of our parish may differ. If you are ready for something beyond the basics, read Redemptionis Sacramentum.