Girm Is Changing Too...

[dUSt]

[quote name='Aloysius' timestamp='1309339154' post='2260162']
cudos to anyone so detached from this world that such looks do not bother them; though there is nothing wrong with seeking justice in this world by confronting someone who gives you a distasteful look just for kneeling to receive your Lord. personally, I'd be bothered by it, it's the pastor of the flock telling me I'm not welcome at that eucharist because I choose to revere Christ in that way. and that's simply not OK. the priest needs to feed Christ's sheep and not make them feel unwelcome, not cause a spectacle out of something just because it's not in lockstep uniformity with the rest of the congregation. it's a legitimate posture for receiving the Eucharist, it's the only posture the Holy Father distributes the Eucharist in at his masses, and I don't blame anyone if they are bothered by a priest giving them a dirty look at that intimate moment.

I think the reaction was to a general perception that people like Cam might, at mass, think too much about what is an abuse and what is not and be destracted from the sacred mysteries by legalism... and of course, I understand the distaste for the liturgical police attitude that can be developped by people; but while the extent to which the average layman should be looking for abuse to be appalled by can be debated, in this particular instance it is a clear instance of a priest being responsible for distracting from the holy reception of the sacrament by giving a disapproving look. it makes one feel unwelcome, even if it happens all the time.
[/quote]
I understand and agree.

I'm just saying that we should try not to let that be an issue as we are receiving. At that moment, 100% of our attention should be on the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the living Christ we are consuming. Our mind should blot out any and all distractions. We should be asking God to enter our souls. This is coming from a guy who usually has a kid in front of him, holding a baby. If I can do it, I think everyone can. Does that make me more holy? Of course not. Does it mean that I can concentrate better? Maybe. But I don't think people should fall into the trap of thinking it's just too hard to do this.

Who cares if [b]I[/b] feel unwelcome. It's not about me. I am unworthy to receive Him.

[Gal. 5:22,23]

Is the new GIRM out yet? I can't find it online. I have a pastor who is very hostile toward those who present for Holy Communion while kneeling. I'd like to have the GIRM, rather than Fr. Z's blog post, although I have no doubt he's correct.

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='dUSt' timestamp='1309287712' post='2259801']
I think the point is, your state of mind at the moment of receiving should not lend itself to you even thinking about funny looks, period.
[/quote]
[quote name='dUSt' timestamp='1309358416' post='2260242']
I understand and agree.

I'm just saying that we should try not to let that be an issue as we are receiving. At that moment, 100% of our attention should be on the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the living Christ we are consuming. Our mind should blot out any and all distractions. We should be asking God to enter our souls. This is coming from a guy who usually has a kid in front of him, holding a baby. If I can do it, I think everyone can. Does that make me more holy? Of course not. Does it mean that I can concentrate better? Maybe. But I don't think people should fall into the trap of thinking it's just too hard to do this.

Who cares if [b]I[/b] feel unwelcome. It's not about me. I am unworthy to receive Him.
[/quote]
What he said. Agreed completely.

[quote name='Cam42' timestamp='1309304815' post='2259952']
Kneeling for 10 years doesn't mean that I don't feel weird when someone looks at me funny. Especially since I'm allowed to do it, without question, per a Vatican Clarification.
[/quote]
It's the second part of this, I think, that leads one to suspect that perhaps it is pride which keeps you from focusing. What homeschoolmom says later (which is quoted below) about anticipating this encounter makes perfect sense to me and is quite sad when it happens.

[quote name='Cam42' timestamp='1309304815' post='2259952']
Also we're not called to be perfect, but to strive to be perfect. We are not. I try, but I fall. I don't make a funny face everytime one is made at me, but there are times and going forward, if a funny face is made at me, you can bet your bippy I will be in the sacristy after Holy Mass.
[/quote]
That is sad. And childish. And completely disrespectful to the One whom you receive. And quite contrary, I think, to the teaching of Him whom you receive - unworthily.

[quote name='Cam42' timestamp='1309304815' post='2259952']
Oh, this isn't about you...but when a priest makes a funny face at you while you're trying to receive Holy Communion, see how easy it is to concentrate. It' harder than you think. Don't believe me...try it. Go to the most liberal parish in Dallas and kneel to receive Holy Communion, that's what it's like when I am at my parents.
[/quote]
It is no secret that my pastor is not my biggest fan for reasons unnecessary to disclose. This, however, does not keep me from entering into deep and sincere concentration on Him who I am to receive. My pastor's approval of me is not important in that moment, nor are the looks I receive from him as I approach and receive.

[quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1309348143' post='2260176']
I think anticipating making such a confrontation (and relishing the opportunity) during Communion is wrong. If you wanna talk to Father prior to Mass or afterwards, etc. Fine and dandy-- have at it. Communion is not the time for such an exchange.
[/quote]
Precisely what she said - except I tend to be in favor of NOT approaching the Pastor unless necessary and in this case, pride does't not necessitate a visit to the sacristy.

[MithLuin]

In 'the old days' few people would present themselves for communion on a regular basis. It was understood that you had to be properly prepared to recieve communion, meaning confession and fulfilling any penances assigned.

In many Latin American countries, few people recieve communion, because they are not officially married, and thus recognize that their living arrangement is 'living in sin' per Church teaching. For this reason, they do not come forward for communion.

That is why the Church has Easter Duty - to make sure that all the faithful are recieving communion at least once a year.



So...in the US, we don't have that problem. Nearly everyone recieves communion at every mass. Though...some people do not go to confession more than once a year (if that), so perhaps we have a different problem. Divorced-and-remarried couples often know that they are not supposed to recieve, but this does not always mean that they refrain. As with anything - more catechesis and clear instructions from the pulpit are needed. But this means....large churches with nearly everyone wanting to come forward for communion....oh, and an expectation that mass will not run longer than 1 hour.



Altar rails may be used batch-wise or continuous flow. In the batch process, the first group comes forward and all kneels. The priest distributes communion. Then, the whole group returns to their seats and the next group comes forward (repeat as necessary). Batch tends to be a lengthier process, so it's really more appropriate for smaller groups (<100). Continuous flow means that as each person recieves, he stands and returns to his seat, while the next person comes to take his place and waits patiently for the priest to loop back around. I would think this method is generally preferred (especially for larger groups), but only if the logistics work out.

If a church has altar rails and would like to use them, I see nothing wrong with that....but the norm in the US is to recieve standing and that has not changed in the 'tweaked' version of the GIRM.



I think that if you do something outside the norm, you are more likely to make eye contact and pay attention to what the priest or EM is doing. After all...you want to make sure they 'get' what you are trying to accomplish. I generally only recieve in the hand from an EM, because I don't want to confuse them or cause a disruption. I figure that most priests give communion every day and have been for years, so they can figure out how to give me communion in the mouth without dropping it or something. But an EM has less practice, so I don't feel any desire to force the issue. Besides, I was taught how to make a throne of my hands when I was a little girl preparing for my first communion, so I can prepare to recieve communion in that way as well. In fact, it's often easier for me to stare at the host (and only the host) if I do that. I'm much more likely to be distracted by the fashions (particularly shoes) in the communion line than the priest or EM, anyway

[Gal. 5:22,23]

We've just received the 2011 GIRM in our parish office. #160 reads: "The norm established for the Dioceses of the United States of America is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction, [i]Redemptionis Sacramentum[/i], March 25, 2004, no. 91)"

From the section cited in [i]Redemptionis Sacramentum[/i], "In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing."

I didn't doubt Fr. Z, but am glad to have it in hand.

Edited July 10, 2011 by Gal. 5:22,23

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='mortify' timestamp='1308952181' post='2258274']
It's sad that a priest has asked me to stand up to receive our Lord.
[/quote]
Same, but now that I see it was in the GIRM, I feel badly for having thought less of him afterward. I see now that he was only doing what he thought he should as per the GIRM.

[Aloysius]

the previous GIRM, of course, said that the priest ought to give the communion to the kneeling communicant, but to instruct him afterwards that he should stand from now on, not to instruct him to stand when he had presented himself. of course he was probably acting in good faith thinking that this was what he was supposed to do, but thank God and Rome, the current GIRM no longer tells him to 'correct' those who wish to receive their Lord on their knees.

oh, and this is from a while ago I suppose, but yes I do agree dUSt, I just think it's understandable that these things make us uncomfortable and it's unfortunate that priests are making anyone uncomfortable just for doing something that they're perfectly allowed to do.

Edited July 15, 2011 by Aloysius