“How a Non-Catholic respectfully communes at Mass” (Presidents Bush and Clinton)

The Anchoress ^ | August 30, 2006

[the invisib1e hand]

no kidding. just when I thought I couldn't think less of him.

[Carolina]

No problem. Hope lunch was good. :)

[jkl1122]

There has never been a time when "ALL the Christian was Roman Catholic", as you stated.

[Kolokotronis]

"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."

I think, TRD, you'll find this is a Slavic tradition. In our Greek Orthodox parish, the only people who approach with their arms crossed come out of the Slavic churches. Our tip off of a non-Orthodox is when a stranger doesn't announce his/her name to the priest just before receiving. Never fails!

[FJ290]

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?

Lutherans believe in Consubstantiation, we Transubstantiation. Anglicans, from what I understand, totally reject Transubstantiation, and Low church Anglicans don't believe in the Real Presence at all.

Further, Jesus meant us all to be One, so when they seperated from us during the Reformation that was a choice of their own making, not ours.

They can not now expect to come into our churches, disagree with just about every single thing we stand for and then have the nerve to be insulted because they are denied Holy Communion.

[FJ290]

No problem. Hope lunch was good. :)

It was, thank you. Now I'm stuffed, feel lazy and don't want to go back to work, but I must. Have a nice day and see everyone later.

[LibertyGirl77]

The blessing thing is a nice, feel good option for people who can't receive, but it's not technically supposed to be allowed. If you can't receive, you're really supposed to stay in your seat. So says my priest, anyway, who does not offer blessings during Communion.

[Scotswife]

"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"

There are plenty of times when I sit through communion...and I am a practicing catholic.
Sometimes it is because I haven't to confession for missing mass. Sometimes it is because I haven't managed to fast for one hour prior to communion.

You never know why someone is sitting, and I don't waste time wondering why someone is sitting. I always figure they are doing out of respect for the eucharist.

[Conservative til I die]

I think you are mistaken. President Bush only received a blessing.

[Scotswife]

"The blessing thing is a nice, feel good option for people who can't receive, but it's not technically supposed to be allowed. If you can't receive, you're really supposed to stay in your seat. So says my priest, anyway, who does not offer blessings during Communion."

It's probably an issue that individual bishops or even priests may have some discretion over?
I doubt that one priest saying it isn't supposed to be done necessarily means that is the position of the entire church on the matter.

[NYer]

If you can't receive, you're really supposed to stay in your seat. So says my priest, anyway, who does not offer blessings during Communion.

In the Eastern Catholic Churches, the children accompany their parents up for communion. The priest blesses each child by touching the communion cup to their head. It is a beautiful and reverent practice that recognizes them as members of the congregation. I have never seen an adult go up though, for a blessing.

[Conservative til I die]

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.

Whatever. If one can't respect other people's culture (and religion falls under culture), then they're rude and boorish. They also need to grow up. The end.

If you're a guest in someone's home and they ask you not to smoke, you don't light up.

[ArrogantBustard]

If you're a guest in someone's home and they ask you not to smoke, you don't light up and you don't get snotty about it either. Same with communion etc. in church.

[mware]

I miss Cardinal O'Connor.

[NYer]

I miss Cardinal O'Connor.

Did you watch his funeral? I will never forget this moment .........

Cardinal John O'Connor gets last word at his own funeral

[Incorrigible]

John Cardinal Connor, Priest, Patriot, Veteran and Holy Man - pray for us.

Amen!

[ichabod1]

I wish the dreaded arm cross didn't look so "gay", if you will. Much as I love and respect W and Laura for doing it, it makes me cringe just to see it in the photo. I had to do it for 9 months -- and I couldn't even get out of it by staying in the pew, I was expected to get the blessing. I would cross, but more like wrists across my heart which looked and felt more graceful.

[ichabod1]

Many CATHOLICS may not receive for one reason or another.

[ichabod1]

abstaining from marital relations from the hour of Vespers the previous evening;

No relations on Saturday night? I didn't know about that one. Bet that's honored more in the breach.