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sad and tragic that most Catholics today do not understand much about reverence for the Holy Eucharist. And
it’s also sad and tragic that many priests today are either afraid to teach true reverence for the Holy 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 Holy Eucharist—a revival based on a heartfelt mystical love for Christ and His Real Presence in the
Holy 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 Attire 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 reverent 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 Holy Eucharist (as in a Eucharistic Procession).
For men, wear dress clothes. Do not wear jeans,
shorts, T-shirts, or sneakers.
Entering a Church
On entering a church, reverent Catholic women cover
their heads by putting on their chapel veils, and reverent 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 reverent 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 Holy 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.
Never engage in hand clapping, because clapping is an act of human pride that usurps the honor due
to Christ alone.
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 Holy Eucharist
Fast (i.e., abstain from food) for at least an hour
before receiving the Holy 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 Holy 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
On reading this webpage, you might be astonished
that no one ever told you about these things. You didn’t learn
about reverence from your parents because they didn’t know and weren't inclined to learn. You
didn’t learn from priests at Mass because they were afraid to hurt the feelings of others by
teaching the truth. And you didn’t learn from others at Mass because they were all doing what
everyone else was doing. So remember: genuine reverence begins with you, and neglect also begins
with you. Therefore, now that you have learned proper Catholic conduct in a church, turn your
attention to living a holy life interiorly, wherever you may be, and
not just in a church.
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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