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sad and tragic that most Catholics today do not understand much about reverence for the Eucharist. And
it’s also sad and tragic that many priests today are either afraid to teach true reverence for the Eucharist
or are indifferent to the truth. It’s no wonder that darkness and decline in the Church are growing.
Here, then, are the beginnings of a revival of reverence
for the Eucharist—a revival based on a heartfelt mystical love for Christ and His Real Presence in the
Eucharist that reverberates through all conduct in a church. In short, if you really loved Christ as
your God, you would act accordingly at all times, and this includes reverent and modest conduct as well
as pious reception of the Holy Eucharist.
Revering Sundays
According to the Precepts of the Church,
all Catholics must attend Mass every Sunday and must rest from servile labor on Sundays. Anything
less than this defiles reverence for the holy mystery of Christ’s resurrection—and that leads you away from
revival and right into neglect.
Modest Clothing in a Church
For both men and women, immodesty
is a grave opening to the sins of pride and lust. Note that we wear clothing to
give our bodies dignity. Modest clothing covers our bodies with dignity, whereas immodest clothing
reveals the body by making a pretense of covering it, and through this pretense the body becomes
an instrument of social acceptance, an expression of vanity and pride, and a provocation to lust.
Therefore, modest clothing, for both women and men,
should cover the body with dignity rather than reveal the body. Accordingly, all true Catholic men
and women avoid the lustful display of tight and revealing clothing, and the prideful
display of sports insignia, piercings, and tattoos. (If you have an existing
tattoo, cover it in sorrow for having defiled your body, the
temple of the Holy Spirit.)
For women, wear mid-calf-length skirts or dresses.
Do not wear leggings, jeans, or slacks. Keep your shoulders, neck, and chest covered. Cover your
head with a chapel veil when in church and whenever you are in the presence
of the Eucharist (as in a Eucharistic Procession).
For men, wear dress clothes. Do not wear jeans,
T-shirts, or sneakers.
Entering a Church
On entering a church, true Catholic women cover
their heads by putting on their chapel veils, and true Catholic men uncover their heads by
removing their hats, beanies, or anything else covering their heads. After showing this initial respect
for Christ, then all true Catholics look to the tabernacle and genuflect in adoration while saying
silently, “My Lord and my God.”
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A genuflection is a sign of adoration
due to God. To make a proper genuflection, keep your back straight, bend your left leg, and touch
your right knee to the floor while looking at the tabernacle. Note that a curtsy is just a
half-hearted imitation of a genuflection as would be given to royalty, but not to God. Note also
that a bow, in the Roman rite, is simply a sign of respect, as would be given to an altar
with no tabernacle behind it; to bow, rather than to genuflect (or kneel), before the Blessed
Sacrament is to give the appearance of “respecting” Christ while secretly denying His Real
Presence. |
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Be careful to arrive on time (before the priest
enters the sanctuary). Always plan to arrive early, and, if you do arrive late (for any reason), stay
in the back of the church so as to not create a disturbing distraction to others, and do not receive
the Eucharist (as an expression of sorrow for the fact that your late presence is an insult to the
dignity of your Lord and God).
In a Church
Maintain a general attitude of sacred silence in the
church. If you have to communicate with someone, speak only in a reverent whisper.
Bow your head whenever the name of Jesus or Mary is mentioned during the liturgy.
When standing during the liturgy, stand reverently with your hands clasped in front of you. Standing
with your arms crossed is a sign of defiance.
If, in your movement around the church, you should ever cross before the tabernacle, even if you
may be in the back of the church, stop, turn and face the Tabernacle, and then genuflect before
it.
Receiving the Eucharist
Fast (i.e., abstain from food) for at least an hour
before receiving the Eucharist, according to Canon law (Can. 919 §1). And for that matter, fast for
an hour after receiving. It’s admirable to not send Christ into a pit of half-digested food, but it
is just as admirable to not pour garbage (such as coffee and donuts) on Him after you receive Him.
In the Roman rite, receive the Eucharist only from the hands of a priest (or deacon) and never from a
lay person. Receive kneeling, on the tongue, and never in your own hands.
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To assist the priest in placing the
Host on your tongue without him touching you, tilt your head back, extend your tongue, and curl
the tip of your tongue down as if you were trying to touch your chin. |
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Leaving a Church
On leaving a church, look to the tabernacle and
genuflect while saying silently, “My Lord and my God.” Exit silently, and, if you must speak with
someone, speak in the foyer or outside.
Summary
Trying to revive reverence for the Eucharist with
reverent behavior might seem nice on the outside, but it is only the beginning of
progress. On reading this webpage, you might be astonished that no one
ever told you about these things, but remember: genuine revival begins
with you, and neglect also begins with you. Therefore, now that you have
learned proper Catholic conduct in church, turn your attention to living a holy life interiorly,
not just in church. To do this, follow the Spiritual Counsels on this
website and take up constant prayer of the heart wherever you may be.
Recommended
Reading
A treasure of a resource for psychological and spiritual healing. Information
gathered from my websites (including this webpage) is now available at your fingertips
in book form.
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Catholic Compassion
When They Tell You That the Moral Teachings of the Catholic Church Are Wrong
by Raymond Lloyd Richmond, Ph.D.
It would be humorous, if the consequences weren’t so tragic, that contemporary society
tries desperately to convince us that Catholic compassion is wrong because it lacks
compassion. This book can help you understand how friends, teachers, professors, the
entertainment industry—and even priests—can lead you away from God under the deceptive
guise of “being compassionate.”
More
Information |
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