With all the talk in various quarters about eucharistic revival are we in danger of missing the point? https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2023/06/notes-toward-a-eucharistic-revival I am going to make a few obvious yet maybe controversial points. Firstly belief in the real presence was never an issue pre Vatican Two. Catholics knew through the liturgy that Christ was present due to the natural reverence given to the Eucharist in the Latin Mass rite. Secondly the decline in belief in the real presence corresponds exactly with post Vatican Two reforms and the creation of the Novus Ordo. It is hard not to conclude that the Novus Ordo itself is actually responsible for the decline in belief in Christ's presence in the Eucharist. Therefore all attempts at Eucharistic revival will fail because they fail to address the fundamental problem that the liturgy itself with the Novos Ordo rubrics and modernist style actually obscuring the true presence of Christ for many because of its limpness. A musical equivalent. Compare Beethoven's greatest symphony with a Beatles classic. There is no competition. Whilst both are music one is musically superior to the musical ear. Likewise comparing the Latin Mass with the Novus Ordo the former is spiritually superior in its ancient style and form in making it obvious that Christ is present in the Eucharist. This begs the question is it possible for a future council to address this issue once and for all by going back to basics and introducing a liturgy in which it is obvious that Christ is at the centre and truly present. The real issue is "Lex orandi, lex credendi" and not vain attempts to promote 'Eucharistic revival'. I actually think that the term Eucharistic revival is in itself an oxymoron.
I agree with you in principle but the reality of the situation is Christ always has been present in the Blessed Sacrament and will be until the end of time. There used to be a man on the radio years ago who closed each one of his shows with these words: if you are not as close to God now as you used to be, make no mistake about which one of you has moved. Edit: Belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is an act of Faith. I’m hesitant to attribute its loss to the NO.
Just like "the new evangelization" "If the Lord does not build the house/in vain do the builders labor/and in vain does the watchman keep his watch..."
Yes I agree the rot set in with Vatican 2. It will take something huge to turn the tide. With the shortage of vocations parishes now depend on lay ministers. When I think of pre Vat 2 the priest prayed certain prayers before opening the tabernacle. Every movement was an act of worship. The lay ministers now open the tabernacle and true reverence is missing. We have lost Holy Awe. Talking in church is another problem. These things need to be addressed to try and rollback the tide.
This is the reality of the situation. The lack of vocations. In the 60’s before the Mass changes, we had at least 3 or 4 priests in the rectory who came over to distribute Holy Communion to assist the priest. But it was not a perfect place. One of those priests left to get married. A few years later, a priest there abused young boys. Not perfect. I don’t think we can go back now without Divine Intervention. We are in that stage of Church history which is the end of the age.
Key phrase. Loss of awe. If the Eucharist is treated like a piece of bread then people believe it is bread hence the lack of awe and wonder. The whole discipline around the approach to the Eucharist has collapsed in many ways I would suggest it has led to casual indifference. Not always but often. A simple remedy. Put kneelers back in churches and only receive on the tongue. At least that would help restore some discipline.
In truth, I have spent so much time since the beginning of the VII changes spinning my wheels, getting involved in condemned apparitions for a decade, complaining and bemoaning the changes. Finally, I have seen that the permissive will of God has allowed this to happen. I have made my peace with it and have received much peace and joy from the Lord in the Eucharist. He is still very much in His Church, appearances to the contrary. That is all I am going to say on this subject.
Absolutely! His Church lives through him. But it wasn’t God that guided us on the wrong path of “casualness” towards irreverence. Those changes came from men.
Yes Jesus is very much with us but sadly so many have drifted away and have lost faith in the true presence of Jesus in Holy Communion. I believe the miracle of Garabandal will be Eucharist and will restore this truth to all men of good will. Keep praying and trusting.
Very much linked to what I have been trying to say about the lack of formal discipline in the Novus Ordo rite. An epidemic of invalid masses. https://onepeterfive.com/epidemic-invalid-masses-foreseen/
There is an interview with Fr Charles Murr with Kennedy's podcast and he gives horrifying details of invalid Masses and wonders if this lack of sanctifying grace coming to the people has contributed to the lethargy and indifference and wholesale apostasy. Very troubling interview. Bishop Naumann recently issued a statement about some invalid Masses in his diocese and the need to correct all of them. Good bishop!
Just wanted to give you an update on my parish putting kneelers up in front each eucharistic minister so we can easily kneel while receiving which father did a few months ago...... At first almost everyone kneeled and received on the tongue which father had encouraged. Within two weeks almost no one does. They will literally stand so far from the kneeler that they have to stretch out their hands and almost bend over to reach father without kneeling..... Many only bother to stretch out one hand if they are holding a child in their arms or by the other hand. I'm so saddened by this. It just shows the state Catholics seem to be in now a days.... I have to wonder why they even bother to walk all the way up the aisle to get what they seem to believe is a little dry wafer.... Last sunday for Corpus Christi during his sermon Father showed a short video on three Eucharistic Miracles and the science of them being heart tissue while alive and suffering, type ab blood, etc... ....didn't seem to help.....
That is so sad Carmel. I am in a funeral ministry at my church. Many time I see the attendees of funerals go up for Communion and you can tell they never go to church ans these are children…these are adults. yesterday, at a funeral, the priest gave Communion in the hand to the immediate family in the first pew. I was an usher so I was watching closely. 2 adults, husband and wife took the Host and kept it in their hands. Thankfully the Priest caught it and quietly told them to consume It. The man reluctantly did so and his wife shook her head no….meanwhile He is in their hands!!!! So the priest took it back. after Communion, I was watching the first pew and this couple didn’t even make the sign of the Cross or any other gestures or replies. i wish our Pastor would make statement that unless you are a Catholic and in good standing, to please refrain from Communion. it breaks my heart!!!
