Answering "Amen"

CatholicExchange.com ^ | 02-17-06 | Fr. William Saunders

[Salvation]

by Fr. William Saunders

Other Articles by Fr. William Saunders

Answering "Amen"

02/17/06

I am an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. In distributing Communion, I am surprised by the different answers to “The Body of Christ” I receive. Most people say, “Amen,” but some say, “I believe.” Does it matter?

The simple answer is, “Yes, it does matter.” According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (2000), the following rubric was again prescribed concerning the reception of holy Communion: “The priest raises the Eucharistic bread slightly and shows it to each one, saying, ‘The Body of Christ.’ The communicants reply, ‘Amen,’ and receive the Sacrament as they choose, either on the tongue, or in the hand, where this is allowed” (No. 161). The same response of “Amen” also is mandated if the communicant receives the Precious Blood from the chalice or if he receives Holy Communion by intinction, i.e. the priest intincts (dips) the Sacred Host into the Precious Blood and places the Sacrament on the tongue of the communicant (see also No. 286-7).

Given the basic rule, why is the word “Amen” important? The word “Amen” in Hebrew means, “truly,” “it is true” or “so be it.” In sacred Scripture, “Amen” introduces a solemn affirmation and an acclamation of assent. “Amen” denotes not only an asseveration but also a recognition of authority of the one making the proclamation.

For instance, in the Gospel of St. John (6:53), Jesus said, “Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” Often, English translations of the Bible will have “Let me solemnly assure you,” or "Truly, truly I say to you.” Here the Lord solemnly underscores the truth of what He is teaching.

In the Book of Revelation (3:14) Jesus identifies Himself as “Amen”: “The Amen, the faithful Witness and true, the Source of God’s creation...” for He is always faithful to His word. Here the word “Amen” highlights our Lord’s authority since He is Truth.

Finally, in apostolic times, the word “Amen” was used in liturgy as a positive response to the truth of the belief and the authority by which the belief was taught.

For these reasons, since the earliest times of the Church, “Amen” has been the proper response of the communicant receiving the holy Eucharist. For example, St. Justin Martyr (d. 165) in his First Apology (chapters 65-66) notes how “Amen” is the response of the people to the prayers and thanksgiving offered by the priest in the Eucharist Prayer. “Amen” is the assent of the people that the holy Eucharist truly is the Body and Blood of Christ, that the priest has the authority to act in the person of Christ to confect the Eucharist, and that the teaching handed down from the Apostles is truly the teaching of the Lord. St. Justin wrote,

We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true and who has been washed in the washing which is for the remission of sins and for regeneration, and is thereby living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate by the word of God and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so too, as we have been taught, the food which has been made into the Eucharist by the Eucharistic prayer set down by Him and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nourished, is both the flesh and blood of that incarnated Jesus.

Without the “Amen,” one should not receive.

St. Augustine (d. 430) in a Sermon (No. 272), taught,

If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord. It is your sacrament that you receive. To that which you are to respond, "Amen" ("Yes, it is true!") And by responding to it, you assent to it. For you hear the words, "the Body of Christ" and respond, "Amen." Be then a member of the Body of Christ that your Amen may be true. (Cited in the Catechism, No. 1396.)

Therefore, we must say our “Amen” with great confidence before receiving the holy Eucharist. Sadly, some people have decided to change the response to “I believe,” or “Thank you,” “or “We are,” or “I am.” All of these responses are inadequate. If a person says, “I believe,” does that person only assent to the holy Communion he is receiving, or also to the whole Church and all of its teachings which “communion” signifies? If a person says, “Thank you,” he is taking, but what is he giving? If a person says, “We are,” does he mean his group, his congregation, the whole Church or his concept of Church? If a person says, “I am,” we ought to lock him in the tabernacle.

The simple straight answer is, “The proper, best, and only legitimate response when receiving Holy Communion is ‘Amen.’” Amen.


Fr. Saunders is pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Potomac Falls and a professor of catechetics and theology at Notre Dame Graduate School in Alexandria. If you enjoy reading Fr. Saunders's work, his new book entitled Straight Answers (400 pages) is available at the Pauline Book and Media Center of Arlington, Virginia (703/549-3806).

(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

[Claud]

I know things have changed, but even this lapsed Catholic is shocked that people touch the Host. {{{shudder}}}

God bless you, my good radiohead, for that remnant of good old-fashioned catechesis and piety of the sort that has perished lo these 40 years.

[radiohead]

Away so long I changed religions. I guess I should have said former Catholic, but those 12 years of Catholic schooling and a pre-Vatican II orientation have left their mark.

[radiohead]

piety of the sort that has perished lo these 40 years.

Oh my. What a compliment. Truly I am not worthy, but thank you for your sentiments. Thank you.

[ElkGroveDan]

And the sad thing is that the priests can re-educate their congregations

Careful what you wish for. Our parish was "re-educated" last week by the new pastor. He's a Mohany-quoting humanist. Now I have to find a new parish after 7 years.

[dcs.trad]

I sometimes forget, too, because I'm used to assisting at the TLM. Not that I've been to a Novus Ordo lately.

[siunevada]

If a person says, “I am,” we ought to lock him in the tabernacle.

LOL!

[Bigg Red]

Frankly, I didn't know there were other answers floating around out there.

77
Same here.

[Bigg Red]

even this lapsed Catholic is shocked that people touch the Host

**
It bothers me each time I receive. And I will not chew the Host, no matter what they say.

[Bigg Red]

...tucked it into a plastic bag and put it into his pocket...

^^
Saving it for a devil-worship ceremony perhaps?

[Straight Vermonter]

I have been an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for just a few months now. I am very surprised by the number of people who don't say amen. Often, I will hesitate in handing them the Eucharist or the cup and then I will hear a belated amen.

So apparently they know what to say and are not saying it. Very strange.

[Bigg Red]

...take a bite out of the host and palm the rest and walk out of the church with the Eucharist in hand.
&&

Saving it for a devil-worship ceremony perhaps?

[Coleus]

Saving it for a devil-worship ceremony perhaps? >>

that's what I was thinking or maybe for a sick relative at home.

[Frank Sheed]

At Mass two Sundays ago, our aged Associate Pastor (73 years old) chewed out the entire congregation. After Communion and a period of silent reflection, he said, "You'd think after 40 years, everyone would be on the same page! When you receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, you are to respond, 'Amen!' I don't think more than half the people who just received responded at all!" He then made us practice out loud at least 5 times, responding each time, "I can't hear you!" He sure got the point across and I had a smile from ear to ear. The voice level the following week was really an improvement. I should mention that only priests administer the Eucharist at our Church Masses and the Blood of Christ is not offered. Both priests attend to distribute Communion.

Finally, the majority of folks in my Church respond, "Amen" using the Latin pronunciation (Ahh'-men). Father told us a while back how "AYE-Men" crept into the Church after the movie "The Lilies of the Field" introduced that pronunciation. I thought about it and he is right. Back to Catholic pronunciations!

F

[Bigg Red]

Is there no way you can prevent this? Can't you insist that they consume the host before they step away? What an abominable practice!

&&
While I was still teaching in a (nominally) Catholic school, my students and I attended a Mass at which one 9th-grade student started to walk away with the Host in his hand. The priest (a young, passionate man who tried very hard against all odds) chased after him and got the boy to consume the Host.

I am sure this kid meant no harm. It's possible he was not even Catholic, but I suspect that he was baptized RC and just never properly taught. It's amazing how many of these so-called Catholic kids and their parents never attend Mass.

[radiohead]

Saving it for a devil-worship ceremony perhaps?

LOL! I almost choked on a piece of candy reading this.

[FatherofFive]

I don't understand the psychological resistance of some to 'Take this and eat, for this is My Body' I view the receiving in the hand - taking - and eating the real body of our Lord as following his command.

How is this not reverent obedience to His command?

[NYer]

Away so long I changed religions.

Oh how I know that feeling! I came very close to leaving the Catholic Church out of sheer despair with the novelties introduced post VCII. I walked away several times but each time, I had a flashback to the night I received the Sacrament of Confirmation. I was barely 10 years old and seated with my classmates. Okay .. we took some liberties with Sister. She had her clicker at the ready, just in case :-).

Though it was October, the Church was packed and it was steaming hot. There were no microphones back then and the Bishop mumbled the prayers in Latin. We elbowed each other ever hopeful not to catch the eye of one of the nuns. Then the Bishop got up and delivered his homily ... in English. Stifling a yawn, something he said suddenly caught my attention. He called us "Soldiers of Christ". Those words struck a chord within me ... Soldiers of Christ. But, how?! What were we supposed to do?

Over the years, I lapsed but each time those words came back to haunt me. I had been baptized into the faith and confirmed in it; like you, I spent 12 years in Catholic schools. Surely all of this was intended to prepare me for my role as a 'soldier' ... but how? when? where?

The answer came 15 years ago when I relocated to a diocese run by an ultra liberal bishop. I didn't recognize my 'Catholic Church'. It was so changed. It looked more like a protestant church. Felt banners replaced the Crucifix, kneelers were removed from the renovated churches, the Tabernacle was relocated into another room or closet. Then, I discovered this forum and met some very knowledgeable catholics. They bolstered my morale and gave me the courage to confront the abuses being introduced by the new 'light in the loafers' pastor of my parish. Still, each Sunday turned into a penitential sacrifice as I confronted the priest about the regulations governing the proper rite that are clearly written in the GIRM.

Having been raised pre VCII, we were always taught that only the priest could touch the consecrated host. When, post VCII, it was decided to create the position of the EMCH, I had a difficult time adjusting. Suddenly, the most sacred Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, was now being distributed by women with painted fingers, doused with heavy perfumes. It just didn't seem right. Now, 40+ years later, we have seen the abuses that have slipped through the 'well meaninged' intentions of those who enacted this rule.

Encouraged by my fellow catholics in this forum and armed with VCII documents, I accepted the challenge given me on that hot day in October and armed myself with the documents from VCII and began addressing the abuses in my parish. When the pastor invited a group of students preparing for their Confirmation to participate in a liturgical dance, I handed him the document that banned liturgical dance in the US. He tried to 'soft sell' me by referring to it as 'liturgical movement'. I didn't buy and brought it to the attention of the diocesan office for Liturgical Worship. In their initial response, they threw their support behind the pastor. Undaunted, I wrote back, citing two documents from VCII which stipulated that all catholics had the right to a valid liturgy. That stopped them in their tracks, and the pastor was advised not to introduce the liturgical dance.

One small victory was followed by encouragement from my fellow catholics. Then, one Sunday, after receiving Communion, I looked up just as a EMHC dropped a consecrated host on the floor of the Sanctuary. From your pre-VCII education, do you recall what you were told should happen in such an instance? We were told that the Mass stopped while the errant host was covered with a cloth and/or carefully disposed of according to church norms. I watched in stunned silence as the EMHC looked towards the pastor for guidance. He met and then averted her gaze. Unsure of what to do, she bent over, picked up the host and redeposited it in her Pyrex glass communion bowl. It was more than I could bear. I bowed my head before our Lord, present in the Tabernacle, asked his forgiveness for her, and then asked him to guide me to holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a welcoming community.

That Sunday, I went home and compiled a list of other RC parishes in the local area. Another freeper suggested that I also include any Eastern Catholic Churches. There were two - one Maronite and the other Ukrainian. Over the next several weeks, I attended Mass at a different RC Church each week. Then the Maronite Catholic Church surfaced on the list. Equipped with the wrong Mass time, I arrived one hour early. The Church was dark with the exception of 3 spotlights on 3 alcoves in the Sanctuary - one contained the Tabernacle, another a beautiful Crucifix and the 3rd, the Book of the Gospels. Befofe me were the most fundamental elements of my Catholic faith. I took out my Rosary and began praying. Though disoriented by the Maronite Divine Liturgy, I knew I was home ... in unmistakable terms. I left the church that day with a sense of peace unlike anything I had ever known.

The Maronite Catholic Church is one of 22 churches that comprise the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. It is a 'sui uiris' church with its own Patriarch and governing body. Of all the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Maronites are the only ones that have never been out of communion with the Magisterium.

The Maronite Divine Liturgy is more ancient than the old Latin liturgy, coming out of Antioch where Peter went following the resurrection of our Lord. The words of consecreation are those of our Lord at the Last Supper, in His language - Aramaic. Communion is distributed ONLY by the priest. It is 'intincted' (dipped into the consecrated wine) and placed on the tongue of the recipient with the words: "The Body and Blood of our Lord are give to you for the remission of sins and eternal salvation". A Roman Catholic may attend the liturgy at any Eastern Catholic Church and fulfill their Sunday obligation.

I can't begin to express the joy that has accompanied me on this journey into the Maronite Catholic Church. There are several other forum catholics who have set off to explore the eastern churches. They are now practicing their faith at Byantine Catholic Churches.

Apologies for rambling on at such length. Your comment touched my heart and I felt the need to respond. God bless you on your journey!

[NYer]

Now I have to find a new parish after 7 years.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, please consider looking East. Short of the TLM, you won't find more reverence. Check your local community at the following link and look into attending an Eastern Catholic Liturgy (not to be confused with the Orthodox Church).

Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.

The Eastern Catholic Rites retain the rich heritage of our church, without the "novelties" introduced into the Novus Ordo liturgy. Incense is used throughout.

[NYer]

Thank you for this encouraging post! It is indeed comforting to know that 'out there' are still priests who continue to fulfill their priestly commitment.

As for the "ahhh .... men", it is not unusual in our parish to hear the Aramaic pronunciation: "Ahhh - meen".

[billmor]

I notice some take a bite out of the host and palm the rest and walk out of the church with the Eucharist in hand.

Is there no way you can prevent this? Can't you insist that they consume the host before they step away? What an abominable practice!

Sure there is..Teach the Parishioners from the Pulpit that they must consume the Host when they receive it at Holy Communion. It is not to be removed from the Church in one's pocket or purse ..To do so is a terrible abomination and desecration of the sacred Host and is a violation of Canon Law #935 which reads: " Can. 935 It is not lawful for anyone to keep the blessed Eucharist in personal custody or to carry it around, unless there is an urgent pastoral need and the prescriptions of the diocesan Bishop are observed. "...That means one cannot carry it on them, or take it to their home or to another place...What is so difficult about teaching this in RCIA, or at Mass, or in a Church weekly bulletin?....