To the Blessed Sacrament

The Blessed Sacrament is indeed the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Corpus Christi Aide Memoire

It should be our desire as Catholics to grow and develop in the Eucharistic life. Believing that Jesus is really and truly present in the Blessed Sacrament; that the bread and wine are no longer what they appear to be after the words of consecration, we should occasionally review our regard for the Sacrament. St. John of Avila expresses with bold simplicity: “It is God Almighty who will come down upon the altar at the words of consecration. I shall hold Him in my hands, and converse with Him, and receive Him into my breast.”

We PREPARE for Holy Communion by

• An act of faith
  We must firmly believe what the Church teaches—the Lord is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine. It is not “something” but “Someone”—the Lord Jesus Christ.
   
• Prayer
  While we may quietly greet our fellow parishioners upon coming to Mass, idle chatter should be avoided in order to cultivate a climate of prayers for ourselves and others.
   
• Sacramental Confession
  If conscious of mortal (serious) sin, we should have recourse to the Sacrament of Penance before receiving Communion.
   
• Observing the Eucharistic Fast
  We should fast from all food & drink (except water & medicine) for one hour before Communion. (15 minutes for the sick and elderly.) The fast strengthens our physical and spiritual focus on the Lord.

We RECEIVE the Eucharist by

• Reverently bowing one’s head when approaching the minister.
   
• Making an audible response of faith—“Amen” after the minister says, “The Body of Christ,” or “The Blood of Christ.” “Thank you” is often heard but that moment calls for an expression of belief in the Real Presence, rather than personal thanks to the minister.
   
• In proper manner: “In the hand” or “on the tongue.” When receiving in the hand, one hand is extended with the other beneath it (in essence, a “throne for the Lord.”) Once the Sacred Host is placed in the hand, one steps aside and consumes the host. We should never reach out to take the host from the minister’s hand nor should we consume the host while walking away, nor should we carry the host to one’s place. When receiving from the chalice, one should reverently hold the chalice with both hands and consume a small amount of the Precious Blood.
   

We RESPOND to the Eucharist by

• Making an act of thanksgiving upon returning to one’s place. It is a sacred, precious time to speak to the Lord of life’s joys and burdens and to implore his divine assistance.
   
• Refraining from leaving the church before the conclusion of Mass.
   

We WITNESS the Real Presence by

• Genuflecting before entering or leaving the pew at the end of Mass or whenever passing in front of the tabernacle.
   
• Not walking about in church during the readings, homily, or at the words of consecration, being especially alert when the use of the restroom is necessary.
   
• Not carrying on conversations or texting during any part of the Mass.