Posted on 02/17/2006 9:13:03 AM PST by Salvation
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| Answering "Amen" |
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| 02/17/06 |
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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? |
I just looked at your link. While there are no Eastern Catholic Parishes here in VT, there are some near where we vacation.
Can you tell me what differences there would be between the TLM and Maronite or Byzantine liturgy?
Lol! My Maronite pastor is bi-ritual (Maronite and Latin Rite). On those occasions when Roman Catholics attend the Maronite liturgy, should they step forward hands extended to receive the host, he gives them a quick education on the proper reception of the host in the Maronite Church - only on the tongue. When he says the Latin Mass, he has been known to chase down those communicants who do not immediately place the host on their tongues. He has also been known to lecture the nun who serves as 'chaplain' at a local Catholic hospital, on the proper distribution of consecrated hosts. He has turned into a thorn in their sides :-)
Absolutely nothing! However, in those parishes where the pastor is unwilling to address the situation from the pulpit, shouldn't the onus now fall on the EMHC who has been commissioned to perform this service?
Well .. my parish in Troy, NY is about 1 hour from Burlington, VT. Is that anywhere near you?
As most of us realize, the Church began in the East. Our Lord lived and died and resurrected in the Holy Land. The Church spread from Jerusalem throughout the known world. As the Church spread, it encountered different cultures and adapted, retaining from each culture what was consistent with the Gospel. In the city of Alexandria, the Church became very Egyptian; in Antioch it remained very Jewish; in Rome it took on an Italian appearance and in the Constantinople it took on the trappings of the Roman imperial court. All the churches which developed this way were Eastern, except Rome. Most Catholics in the United States have their roots in Western Europe where the Roman rite predominated. It has been said that the Eastern Catholic Churches are "the best kept secret in the Catholic Church."
Many people forget - or do not realize - that Christianity came from Judaism. As the church expanded beyond the realm of Judaism, it adapted itself to the people and cultures in which it took root. This cultural adaptation resulted in the 22 different rites of the Catholic Church today.
It is from Jewish roots that the church of Antioch sprung. In fact, the church of Antioch was founded by St. Peter and it was there that the terms "Christian" and "Catholic" were first used. The first Christians were Jews and entire communities came to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Evidence from archaeological studies of Maronite church buildings show that they had earlier been synagogues.
During the many disputes among Christians in the fourth century over the divinity and humanity of Christ, the arguments became heated in Antioch. Under the leadership of St. Maron, the head abbot, monks left the city for peace and quiet. Lay people and clergy -Maronites- followed the monks. Later during the Arab invasion of the Middle East the Maronites fled to the Cyprus and to the safety of the Lebanon mountains.
To this day, the Maronite Church retains its Jewish roots more than any other Catholic rite, as evidenced by its use of Aramaic/Syriac and by the prayers which remain faithful to Semantic and Old Testament forms.
You can learn more about the differences at this link:
"When people answer with anything else than the "Amen" has always been one of my pet peeves when I am an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion."
The semantics of how we take Eucharist in certain of the eastern churches makes it tough to say amen right at the point of receiving the precious Body. In my church, the precious Body is served with a golden spoon and is actually placed in the mouth. Saying amen at the point of taking Eucharist would likely cause you to choke.
I do say amen, but I make sure and wait a few seconds.
Thanks, I am just outside of Burlington but it is actually >3 hours from you so definitely too far for each Sunday.
I think we will try to visit when we go to Lake George this summer.
Ay MEEE-yun, bruth'r.
"Can you tell me what differences there would be between the TLM and Maronite or Byzantine liturgy?"
The TLM and Byzantine liturgies are dramatically different. Not in reverence: both are very reverential liturgies and beautiful in their own way. First off, there's the language, the TLM is in Latin of course, while the Byzantine liturgy is in the vernacular (usually English). To me, however, the biggest difference is in how parishioners participate in the liturgy.
In Byzantine liturgy, parishioners are very involved in the liturgy. You're not a spectator or taking a relatively passive role. The vast bulk of the liturgy is chanted back and forth between the Priest, Deacon and the parishioners. So you're pretty much singing back and forth for the better part of an hour and a half. You're also crossing yourself a lot. (One of these days, I'll count how many times we cross ourselves during Divine Liturgy, but it's got to be over 50 times).
We also have different ways of showing reverence. We don't genuflect per se, but do something called metanies. We generally don't kneel, either. But bow instead.
One nice thing about Byzantine liturgy is that you're compelled to be focused on the Liturgy; you have to be simply to keep up.
Whoa! I sucked in my breath so loud, my son asked me what was wrong. "Just Catholic stuff." : )
I commend you on your journey. Mine led me back to the roots, to Judaism. I guess I was such a good Catholic that I couldn't bear the thought of going to a Protestant church!
There is so much from Catholicism that still guides my life and my worldview, however, I just can't get past Original Sin and the Resurrection thing, and those are pretty central to Christianity. I don't believe God had to come down on earth and rise again. There are so many myths around the world that are similar to this, this isn't specific to Christianity. Nor do I believe someone back in the dawn of time is responsibile for the state of my soul. If I could be Catholic w/o believing in these, I'd give it a shot again, but I can't.
All that said, the pull of the Church is strong. I am interviewing for a professorship at a Catholic college after turning down offers to interview from bigger and 'better' schools. Though my advisor thinks I'm insane, I feel pretty good about it.
No, I don't correct them. (However, I am going to send this article to my priest.)
**does your pastor allow EMHCs to "bless" children in the communion line?**
No, he is the only one who can bless them. We can put our hand on their shoulder and say something else, but only he can trace the cross on their forehead in blessing.
You have some interesting observations there.
**walk out of the church with the Eucharist in hand.**
If people need a host to take home for a sick one -- all they need to do is put a pic on the altar and the priest will automatically fill it. Then they can pick it up after Mass.
I have also had someone approach me with the open pic. I place a host in it, and then gave them Communion.
**On the priest can properly be called minister of the Eucharist because he is the only person who can confect the Eucharist.)**
Absolutely. lay ministers are not to be called Eucharistic ministers -- the only Eucharistic minister at any Mass is the priest.
You are always welcome back at the Lord's table of the Holy Eucharist.
Sorry to hear about your new priest and I pray that you locate a parish with an orthodox priest.
**And I will not chew the Host, no matter what they say.**
Me either. It disolves in my mouth. Just takes a few minutes of quiet prayer of thanksgiving.
Good idea to wait. I always look them in the eye too. At least that was part of the instructions given to us by our priest.
Wonderful story. And thanks for the information about pronouncing the Ahh--men.
Our prayers are with you in your search.
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