[Pyro7480]

If you know where to get a hold of the October 2005 issue of Inside the Vatican, I would highly recommend you purchase a copy. The entire article is wonderful, and the other articles are outstanding as well. Though it's not currently available for purchase on their website, you will be able to eventually.

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[Pyro7480]

Ping!

[Pyro7480]

It was through the signs of reverence I saw from early childgood that the Host became, for me, what the Church's tradition claims it to be

That should be "childhood," not "childgood." Any other typos are my fault.

[Pyro7480]

It is generally known, that, since Vatican II, much has changed in the Catholic Church with regard to this veneration of the Host (whic means "sacrificial gift" in Latin).

Another typo: that should be "which."

[RobbyS]

The denigation of all things medieval is to show identity with Protestants. How many priests are Cranmers in disguise?

[Pyro7480]

What I see is the degradation of Captin Dreyfus, so vividly described by a number of writers.

That should be "Captain." Will three typos be all? ;-)

[FourtySeven]

Incidentally, communion in the hand is inappropriate, not because the hands are less worthy to receive the Host than the tongue, for instance, or because they might be dirty, but because it would be impossible to rinse every participant's hands after communion (i.e., to make sure no particles of the Host are lost).

I never thought of it that way before.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Amen, right on, and excellent!

[Jim Noble]

Since I was raised in a Reformed church, the way Catholics posture at the Eucharist has never struck me as strange.

I find the hot pants, tube tops, and Metallica T-shirts to be very strange, however.

[ex-snook]

As someone who grew up fasting after midnight, dressed up, kneeling at the altar, receiving on the tongue [touching not allowed], no noise during the Consecration [not even a cough] and frequent confession. Well we have come a long way baby but maybe not in the direction toward reverence.

[bornacatholic]

St Justin the Martyr First Apology 148-155 a.d.

CHAPTER LXV -- ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS.

But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to genoito [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.

Tertullian On Prayer CHAPTER 19.... Of stations.

Similarly, too, touching the days of Stations, most think that they must not be present at the sacrificial prayers, on the ground that the Station must be dissolved by reception of the Lord's Body. Does, then, the Eucharist cancel a service devoted to God, or bind it more to God? Will not your Station be more solemn if you have withal stood at God's altar? When the Lord's Body has been received and reserved? each point is secured, both the participation of the sacrifice and the discharge of duty. If the "Station" has received its name from the example of military life--for we withal are God's military--of course no gladness or sadness chanting to the camp abolishes the "stations" of the soldiers: for gladness will carry out discipline more willingly, sadness more carefully.

*The Eucharist was received by hand and reserved at home for when their Fast ended

The First Council of Nicaea

Canon 20: On Sundays and during the Paschal season prayers should be said standing.

*So, no kneeling. Standing for Communion. Communion in the hand. Communion brought home to be consumed after a Fast ended.

[murphE]

To me, it is exactly the same when I see people still on their feet in from of the elevated Host, when I see them entering a church without genuflecting, and receiving communion in their outstretched hands. I see it as a degradation, a pointed, symbolic refusal to give honor.

Ah, I don't have to see this anymore, I see this... Deo Gratias!

[NYer]

Great article ... thanks for the link to their web site.