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“How a Non-Catholic respectfully communes at Mass” (Presidents Bush and Clinton)
The Anchoress ^ | August 30, 2006

Posted on 08/31/2006 8:24:33 AM PDT by NYer

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1 posted on 08/31/2006 8:24:34 AM PDT by NYer
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To: american colleen; Lady In Blue; Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; ...


2 posted on 08/31/2006 8:24:54 AM PDT by NYer ("That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah." Hillel)
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To: NYer

Why do you people insist on making me loath Clinton even more?!?!?! ;)


3 posted on 08/31/2006 8:27:22 AM PDT by Darkwolf377
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To: NYer
Non-Catholics and Catholics who have not yet gone through the process of formally receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and their first communion, but who wish to “participate” in that part of the Mass are invited to process to the minister dispensing the Holy Eucharist with their hands crossed upon their chest (not a humiliation, but a practical measure, so that there may be no confusion on the priest’s part that they are NOT receiving the Eucharist), whereupon the priest will simply touch his hand to their head and ask God’s blessing upon them.

I didn't know one could do this. I've only been to a few Catholic masses, but I have always remained seated during that part of the service. I always felt a little out of sorts, so it's nice to know that I can participate in a respectful way.

4 posted on 08/31/2006 8:41:51 AM PDT by Huntress (Proud owner of Norman/Norma, the transsexual cat.)
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To: NYer
MCCURRY: …our team on the ground indicated that the conference of bishops in South Africa had a more ecumenical view of the holy eucharist and had advised members of the traveling party it was appropriate for baptized Christians to share in communion. And the President acted on that guidance…And that includes the priest, and I thought also the bishop who officiated as well, is my understanding, but we can double check that...

This WAS, at one time (when ALL the Christian world was Roman Catholic) the prime consideration for participating in the Eucharist. It is still the prime consideration in CATHOLIC Anglican and Episcopal churches...HOWEVER, the Roman church requires that all desiring the Eucharist must first make a confession (which is exclusive to RCs and in which case we all know that St. Bubba would try to convince the priest what "is" is) while Episcopalians and Anglican catholics recite a general confession.

5 posted on 08/31/2006 8:45:49 AM PDT by meandog (While Clinton isn't fit even to scrape Reagan's shoes, Bush will never fill them!)
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To: Huntress

Absolutely!


6 posted on 08/31/2006 8:46:06 AM PDT by NYer ("That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah." Hillel)
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To: NYer

1 Cor 10:16 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the Body of Christ?"

1 Cor 11:27 "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord."

1 Cor 11:29 "For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the Body eats and drinks judgment upon himself."


7 posted on 08/31/2006 8:53:25 AM PDT by Nihil Obstat
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To: Huntress
I always felt a little out of sorts

Well, I'd hope you don't feel out of sorts going forward. Lots of Catholics who haven't been to Reconcilliation don't partake either. And I can tell you as a Catholic, we don't give any thought as to why folks aren't coming up. Perhaps they're guests, perhaps they're currious about what a Mass is like, who knows? It's their business.

I am glad to learn there's a more participatory role for you and others who join us for Mass though.

Owl_Eagle

If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.

8 posted on 08/31/2006 9:00:00 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: NYer

Of course, as an Orthodox Christian, I find the notion of communing anyone who is not in complete unity of faith outrageous.

It is amusing, though, one of those East/West ritual differences, that in the East, those who are to receive communion approach the chalice with their arms crossed on their chest, while those who are not Orthodox or are not prepared*, but wish to receive a blessing, approach with arms at their side.

*Preparation for communion properly consists of having confessed and receiving absolution a) at least once in the past year, b) since the commission of any grevious sin and c) since any absence from the synaxis of three or more weeks; keeping the fasts appointed for the previous week; fasting from all food and drink at least from the hour of rising (properly from midnight); abstaining from marital relations from the hour of Vespers the previous evening; some manner of prepartory prayer; and arriving before the Gospel. (The last sounds lax, but I think it arose because in the Great Church of Constantinople, the part of the Litugy before the Gospel was sometime done in procession through the City, and folks would join up when the clergy and faithful passed closest to their home.)

(The Slavs, who commune infrequently, generally fast the week before, confess the night before and attend the 'All Night Vigil' (= Vespers, Compline and Matins done all in a row the evening before), but this is folk piety, or (in the case of the Russian Synod) a local canon, rather than a universal canon.)


9 posted on 08/31/2006 9:02:14 AM PDT by The_Reader_David (And when they behead your own people in the wars which are to come, then you will know. . .)
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To: Huntress
My wife was Presbyterian and converted to Catholicism about 12 years ago. This practice was mentioned in the RCIA classes (which I attended with her). It is not often used but is a viable practice.
10 posted on 08/31/2006 9:08:36 AM PDT by stm (Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence)
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To: Darkwolf377

Clinton was every bit as bad as the Pharasees in his fake devotion to God. Actions speak louder than words, and good Christians don't commit adultery in the Oval Office. Can you ever see people like both George Bush's and Ronald Reagan ever doing such a thing.


11 posted on 08/31/2006 9:11:24 AM PDT by stm (Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence)
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To: NYer

bttt


12 posted on 08/31/2006 9:12:46 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: stm

No, I can't. I'm an atheist, but I have continued good feelings for Bush based on this story. He is a MAN, not a boy-man women can feel protective about and men can chortle with because he does what they in their most immature moments fantasize about. W demonstates respect for others; Clinton is a monument to self-indulgence.


13 posted on 08/31/2006 9:14:56 AM PDT by Darkwolf377
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To: Huntress
We have a Welcoming Brochure in our church pews that explains the Mass and tells people to basically follow along -- pointing out that readings can be followed in the missalettes provided and the procedure for a Christian to come forward with hands crossed over their chest for a blessing during Communion.

Note: Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion CANNOT give a blessing, but may use other words to bless the person coming forward. Only the priest can extend the official blessing.

14 posted on 08/31/2006 9:25:51 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: NYer; The_Reader_David
Non-Catholics and Catholics who have not yet gone through the process of formally receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and their first communion, but who wish to “participate” in that part of the Mass are invited to process to the minister dispensing the Holy Eucharist with their hands crossed upon their chest (not a humiliation, but a practical measure, so that there may be no confusion on the priest’s part that they are NOT receiving the Eucharist), whereupon the priest will simply touch his hand to their head and ask God’s blessing upon them.

This is so wrong on so many levels it makes me angry at the person who published it because they are leaving a lot of FACTS out of their article.

"In order to safeguard the sacrament, and to ensure that Christ is received with the proper dispositions (something very important for the authentic good of the person receiving Him), the Church has enacted certain norms for determining those occasions when intercommunion is legitimate. In the 1983 Code of Canon Law the following is prescribed:"

Canon 844 (c.671 in the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches)

1. Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments to Catholic members of the Christian faithful only and, likewise, the latter may licitly receive the sacraments only from Catholic ministers with due regard for parts 2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and can. 861, part 2.

2. Whenever necessity requires or genuine spiritual advantage suggests, and provided that the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, it is lawful for the faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister, to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose churches these sacraments are valid.

3. Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the oriental churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, if they ask on their own for the sacraments and are properly disposed. This holds also for members of other churches, which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition as the oriental churches as far as these sacraments are concerned.

4. If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed.

5. For the cases in parts 2, 3, and 4, neither the diocesan bishop nor the conference of bishops is to enact general norms except after consultation with at least the local competent authority of the interested non- Catholic Church or community.

EWTN

As much respect as I have for President and First Lady Bush, they were not in danger of death nor do they believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Giving Clinton Holy Communion was outrageous because of his unrepentant adultery. We can not nilly willy go around giving Holy Communion to people just because they are political figures. It cheapens the sacrament.

15 posted on 08/31/2006 9:33:22 AM PDT by FJ290
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To: FJ290
FJ, I don't understand your concern. Pres. and Mrs. Bush did not receive Eucharist. Are you saying that going up with arms crossed to receive a blessing is not acceptable?

When my family and I were receiving instruction before being received into the Church, we remained in the pew. Our parish does not observe the practice of people going up with crossed arms. Please elucidate. Thanks

16 posted on 08/31/2006 9:44:23 AM PDT by Carolina
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To: FJ290

the Bushes didn't receive Communion - they had the grace to act better and the sense know better. They only went up for a blessing from the priest. Clinton however,


17 posted on 08/31/2006 9:46:37 AM PDT by Nihil Obstat
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To: Carolina
FJ, I don't understand your concern. Pres. and Mrs. Bush did not receive Eucharist. Are you saying that going up with arms crossed to receive a blessing is not acceptable?

You're right! Stupid me, I am on lunch break and read through the article too rapidly. Note to self...slow down. When I first glanced at the picture, I thought I saw they were in the line for Communion. Apologies for that slip, but comments still stand for Clinton. Thank you for the correction on President Bush.

18 posted on 08/31/2006 9:48:29 AM PDT by FJ290
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To: Nihil Obstat

see post #18, I made a stupid mistake about Bush.. but Clinton...as I said earlier comments still stand and I see you agree, lol!


19 posted on 08/31/2006 9:49:58 AM PDT by FJ290
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To: NYer


In reference back to the post about Jesus welcoming all and eating with sinners, in Benedict's recent address about the Apostle Matthew, many rightly suggested that a conversion was involved. This is true but was the conversion before or after Jesus shared a meal with them and did the meal contribute to the conversion as healing food and is this not what the Eucharist is.

We have all heard priests tell non-Catholics not to come to communion and if we listen to the remarks of guests after a Wedding or funeral we know how unwelcome they felt and in many cases downright insulted. I much better like the remarks of a truly pastoral priest who before communion said words to the effect. "Catholics believe that Holy Communion is what Jesus said it was - His body and blood , really and not symbolically. If you share that belief you are most welcome to receive, if you find this difficult to accept, honesty might suggest you not approach the table at this time but join in a prayful mood in your pew "
Many Catholics do not realize that many Protestants believe in the real presence, especially Lutherans and Anglicans and to tell them not to come forward is easily taken as an insult and hardly what Jesus intended. What think you?


20 posted on 08/31/2006 9:52:06 AM PDT by VidMihi
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