2. Liturgy of the Eucharist

1. BLD Trenton

36. 2. Liturgy of the Eucharist Communion Rite(continued) • The Fraction • Breaking of the bread • “One Body” (1 Cor 10:17), we need to break ourselves and be a nourishment to others

37. 2. Liturgy of the Eucharist Communion Rite (continued) • Communion • Act of humility and faith (Mt 8:8) • “You are the temple of God” (1Cor 3:16) • Prayer after Communion • Concludes the Communion Rite

38. 2. Liturgy of the Eucharist Concluding Rite • Blessing • Dismissal: we are sent forth to witness to the love of the Lord; no fullstop but a continuation- to carry out the mission of the Lord in the world… be a light to the world and salt of the earth… • Eucharist is a mystery to be believed, a mystery to be celebrated and a mystery to be lived… (Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI)

39. The Holy Mass Requisites for receiving Communion • Baptism – without which, no other sacrament can be validly received; • Must be in a state of grace – free of all mortal sin;

40. The Holy Mass Preparation for Communion • Sacrament of reconciliation • Fasting for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion • Decently dressed to receive • Children begin to receive when they have reached the age of reason but not before their first confession

41. The Holy Mass Effects of Communion • Preserves the supernatural life • Spiritual nourishment for the journey of the Christian… pilgrim people… • Increases life of grace already present • Cleanses our soul of venial sins • Gives us spiritual joy in the service of God

42. The Holy Mass Conclusion • “Pray the Liturgy with a new heart” • “Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink….Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the who feeds on me will have life because of me.” (Jn 6:53-57)

43. Body and Blood of Christ • If someone without faith eats and drinks the consecrated bread and wine, does he or she still receive the Body and Blood of Christ? • If a believer who is conscious of having committed a mortal sin eats and drinks the consecrated bread and wine, does he or she still receive the Body and Blood of Christ? Questions

44. Body and Blood of Christ 3. We often take Holy Communion to the sick in nursing homes, houses of assisted living and hospitals. What is the proper and reverential way of administering Holy Communion to our sick brethren? Questions

45. If someone without faith eats and drinks the consecrated bread and wine, does he or she still receive the Body and Blood of Christ? • If "to receive" means "to consume," the answer is yes, for what the person consumes is the Body and Blood of Christ. If "to receive" means "to accept the Body and Blood of Christ knowingly and willingly as what they are, so as to obtain the spiritual benefit," then the answer is no. A lack of faith on the part of the person eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ cannot change what these are, but it does prevent the person from obtaining the spiritual benefit, which is communion with Christ. Such reception of Christ's Body and Blood would be in vain and, if done knowingly, would be sacrilegious (1 Cor 11:29). Reception of the Blessed Sacrament is not an automatic remedy. If we do not desire communion with Christ, God does not force this upon us. Rather, we must by faith accept God's offer of communion in Christ and in the Holy Spirit, and cooperate with God's grace in order to have our hearts and minds transformed and our faith and love of God increased. Question 1 BLD Trenton

46. 2. If a believer who is conscious of having committed a mortal sin eats and drinks the consecrated bread and wine, does he or she still receive the Body and Blood of Christ? Yes. The attitude or disposition of the recipient cannot change what the consecrated bread and wine are. The question here is thus not primarily about the nature of the Real Presence, but about how sin affects the relationship between an individual and the Lord. Before one steps forward to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion, one needs to be in a right relationship with the Lord and his Mystical Body, the Church - that is, in a state of grace, free of all mortal sin. While sin damages, and can even destroy, that relationship, the sacrament of Penance can restore it. St. Paul tells us that "whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup" (1 Cor 11:27-28). Anyone who is conscious of having committed a mortal sin should be reconciled through the sacrament of Penance before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, unless a grave reason exists for doing so and there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, that is, an act of sorrow for sins that "arises from a love by which God is loved above all else" (Catechism, no. 1452). The act of perfect contrition must be accompanied by the firm intention of making a sacramental confession as soon as possible. Question 2 BLD Trenton

47. 3. We are engaged in a sacred task and not just some charitable service to the community. Jesus is truly and really present in the reserved sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Therefore, we need to be conscious of the sacredness of both our ministry and the liturgical Rite. Few practical matters need to be kept in mind. • Reverence • “All ministers of Holy Communion should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire and the manner in which they handle the consecrated Bread and Wine.” (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2002) • It is advisable to carry the Consecrated Bread in a pyx placed inside a leather or linen bag/burse. • As you reach the sick person, you may place the pyx on a table or at an elevated place, if available, covered with a dignified piece of cloth. • Be gentle, patient and understanding with the sick sister or brother • If the sick person cannot receive the Consecrated Bread totally, give him half with water (we may have to use our discretion according to the circumstances...) • If they express the willingness to see a priest, please inform the parish pastoral office. Question 3

48. The ordinary Rite of Holy Communion to the Sick • Signing of the Cross and greeting • Penitential Act • I confess to Almighty God…….. • Reading from the Word of God (optional) • The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father who art in heaven...) • Elevation and invitation (Behold the Lamb of God...) • Response of the sick person (Lord I am not worthy...) • Communion (the Minister says, “The Body of Christ.”) & a moment of silence • Final prayer • Dismissal • “May the Lord bless us, protect us from evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen” Question 3(continued)

49. Body and Blood of Christ • OBJECTIVE • To see the Holy Mass in a totally new light; hearing with new ears what we have heard over and over at mass • To attend the Holy Mass with more enthusiasm and acquiring deeper understanding of the Eucharist . • To grow in our spirituality & communion with the Lord in and through the very act of celebrating the Eucharist.

50. Thank you and God bless. BLD Trenton