The Happy Priest On Continuing Our Preparation of the New Mass Translation

Most people who are objective will notice a disparity between the lines of people going to Holy Communion and the lines of people at the confessionals of any given parish in our country.  Many have forgotten about the beauty of the Sacrament of Confession. This is a real tragedy.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - As we prepare for the implementation of the new English translation of the Roman Missal, let us continue our considerations on the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Last week we examined the Preparation of the Gifts and the Eucharistic Prayer.  This week we will take a look at the Communion Rite and the Concluding Rite. 

Regarding the preparation that needs to take place before we receive the Eucharist, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us of two fundamental realities. First, when we receive the Eucharist, our conscience must be free from mortal sin. Secondly, we must fast one hour before we receive Holy Communion.

Concerning this first point, the Catechism states, "To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. Saint Paul urges us to examine our conscience: 'Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.' Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1385).

Most people who are objective will notice a disparity between the lines of people going to Holy Communion and the lines of people at the confessionals of any given parish in our country.  Many have forgotten about the beauty of the Sacrament of Confession. This is a real tragedy.  People, who never go to confession at all and continue to receive Holy Communion every Sunday, really worry me.

The frequent use of confession is an indication that the person's spiritual life is in good shape and that the person is struggling to overcome sins and weaknesses. The person, who never goes to confession, even when there is a special retreat, penance service, or visiting priest in the parish, is more than likely spiritually dead. However, it is encouraging to see in some parishes, a dramatic increase in the practice of the Sacrament of Confession.

For anyone who would like a precise explanation of the Sacrament of Confession and a list of the most common mortal sins and venial sins, I highly recommend that you get a copy of my new book Get Serious! - A Survival Guide for Serious Catholics.  Chapter Four of my new book explains the Sacrament of Confession in a clear and easy to read manner.  Sadly, there is so much confusion, ignorance and neglect regarding this awesome sacrament.  I invested two and half-years putting together a book that can really assist Catholics who truly desire to live a serious spiritual life in the middle of the craziness of our modern society. 

Regarding the one hour fast before Holy Communion, the Catechism states, "To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest" (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1387).

Now that we have looked briefly at the preparation that we need for a worthy reception of Holy Communion, let us remember the proper gestures that we are to use when we receive the Eucharist.

In the United States, the posture for receiving Holy Communion is standing. However, when people voluntarily wish to receive Holy Communion kneeling, they are to be allowed to do so. When Holy Communion is received standing, it is required that the communicant make a small and gentle bow of reverence before receiving the Eucharist.  Communion rails and kneeling for communion are slowly returning.  I hope that this trend continues.  Pope Benedict has already introduced kneeling for communion in all of his Masses. 

The prayers of the Communion Rite, when prayed with devotion, should fill us with the proper dispositions that we need in order to receive the awesome gift of the Eucharist.

The proper translation of the Ecce Agnus Dei and the Dominus non sum dignus are one of my favorite aspects of the new translation.  In and of themselves, these beautiful words provide us with a magnificent meditation on the Eucharist.

"Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.  Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

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

I can recall the beautiful example of a convert that I helped come into the Church who would weep profusely every time he prayed "Lord, I am not worthy."

The Concluding Rite brings to a close the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The structure of this part of the Mass is very simple, but what takes places after it, is very challenging.

The Concluding Rite consists of the closing prayer, the announcements, the final blessing and the dismissal. When the priest says, "Ite" or "go", we are to go out into the world and live the gospel within the practical details of our everyday circumstances. "Go forth, the Mass is ended."

This is a difficult task. However, the celebration of the Eucharist gives us the graces and the strength that we need to continue the mission of Jesus each day.

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Father James Farfaglia is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Visit Father James on the web at http://www.fatherjames.org and purchase his new book Get Serious! A Survival Guide for Serious Catholics and his first book, Man to Man: A Real Priest Speaks to Real Men about Marriage, Sexuality and Family Life.  Father has a hard hitting blog called Illegitimi non carborundum.  You can contact Father James at fjficthus@gmail.com.  Click here for the audio podcast of this homily which is posted every Sunday afternoon.

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