Dear Friends in Christ,
This weekend, the Church celebrates the beautiful feast of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. This is a feast that allows us to focus on the gift of the Real Presence. How blessed we are to be Catholic! I feel so sorry for those who want to love Jesus and yet do not have this great gift that the Lord gives us. The Church is clear as we see in the Council of Trent: “Wherefore, there is no room left for doubt that all the faithful of Christ may, according to the custom ever received in the Catholic Church, render in veneration the worship of latria, which is due to the true God, to this most holy sacrament. For not therefore is it the less to be adored on this account, that it was instituted by Christ, the Lord, in order to be received: for we believe that same God to be present therein, of whom the eternal Father, when introducing him into the world, says; And let all the angels of God adore him; whom the Magi falling down, adored; who, in fine, as the Scripture testifies, was adored by the apostles in Galilee.” (First Decree, Chapter V, Council of Trent). The Holy Sacrament is greatly loved in Our Lady of Hope Parish. We have adoration every Friday, from the 9:00 AM Mass until Benediction at 7:00 PM. Every First Friday, we extend adoration to 11:00 PM. The Queen’s Chapel (it’s what I call our chapel!) is open everyday day until 7:00 PM for prayer with the Real Presence. Sunday, June 19, we will process with the Blessed Sacrament from the church to three altars outside for prayer and Benediction concluding in the church as a fourth altar. This will take place after the 12:00 Noon Mass and is such a beautiful expression of walking with the Lord Jesus. Let us publically show Jesus how much we love Him and His gift of self to us. This is a time to tighten up our respect and traditions surrounding the Most Blessed Sacrament. Please attempt to whisper in church; how often people speak at their regular volume and even louder. I receive so many concerns around the inability to pray due to the chatter and noise. You may notice that I try to always keep the doors to the Gathering Space closed unless someone is entering in order to try to keep a semblance of quiet prayerfulness. Another point would be to remember to genuflect if possible. When I see even Readers and servers bowing rather than genuflecting, I get a sting in my heart. I recall an elderly, infirmed man telling me how much he wished he could still genuflect. With tears in his eyes he said, “I love Jesus Father, please know that I would throw myself down before Him if I could!” How we receive Him is important. We should have our mask lowered when approaching to receive Him so that we are not “juggling” the host. If we are going to receive in the hand, unless we have a cane, we should never “one hand” the Sacred Host into our mouth. Snatching is another no-no. We receive Him in the palm when not receiving on the tongue. Never walk away with the Blessed Sacrament in our hand; consume the Sacrament immediately. Finally, please do not kiss the Host or make the sign of the Cross with the host as this causes fragments of the Sacred Species to fly about. These are reminders and as pastor, part of my role is to care for the Most Blessed Sacrament. Leaving early is a sign, unless an emergency, that my time is more valuable the being every moment possible with Jesus! Also, if one misses Mass along with other sins, we should avail ourselves of Confession before receiving the Lord. We are obligated to attend Holy Mass every Sunday, but not to receive Holy Communion. Remember, it is a serious sin to miss Mass on Sunday and is the breaking of a commandment. We receive His favor in grace when we attend Mass, we are not doing Him a favor. He deserves our worship, love and so much more. Saint John Vianney said, ““All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man.”
God bless you,
Father Szolack