Synod of Bishops to Meet in Rome this October
There will be a big October Synod in Rome of key Bishops from every nation who will discuss why the Eucharist is being ignored, disbelieved, and disrespected now more than any other time in the history of the Church. What are your thoughts? Let the Roman authorities know now while there is still time!
The Vatican Needs YOUR Opinion!
The Vatican has issued the following set of questions to be addressed:
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS ROME WANTS ANSWERED:
Facts and figures: What importance does the celebration of the Eucharist have in the life of the individual believer? What is the frequency of participation at Mass on Sundays/weekdays/feasts? Could you supply statistics, or even approximate?
Doctrine and formation: What attempts are made to transmit teaching on the Eucharist, whole and entire to individual believers? How are The Catechism of the Catholic Church, nn 1322-1419 and the Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia being utilized by priests, deacons and laity? How is faith in the Eucharist formed in initial catechesis, in homilies, in the formation of priests, permanent deacons, seminarians and the laity?
Understanding the Eucharist: What is the prevailing idea about the Eucharist and the Mass among priests and the faithful; sacrifice? fraternal meal? memorial of the Pascal Mystery? act of adoration? other? Is any of these ideas prevalent and if so why?
Shadows in celebration of the Eucharist: What are the negative aspects such as abuses and misunderstandings existing in Eucharistic worship? What else obscures the true meaning of this profound Mystery? What is the cause of such a disorienting situation for the faithful?
Liturgical Norms: In an attempt to be personal and avant garde, do priests show any attitudes in their celebration of the Eucharist--such as changing the words of the Mass--which are contrary to the liturgical norms established by the Catholic Church? What are the reasons for such behavior? What elements during the celebration of Holy Mass and Eucharistic Worship outside Mass should receive attention so as to highlight the profound sense of this great Mystery of Faith?
The Sacrament of Penance: Conversion is necessary to participate fully in the Holy Eucharist. How do the faithful understand the relationship between the Sacrament of Penance and the reception of Holy Communion? What provisions are made to hear individual Sacramental Confessions in time for the faithful to complete their celebration of Sunday Mass by participating in Holy Communion? Do members of the community approach the altar too casually? What is being done to ensure the faithful to have the proper disposition to receive the great Sacrament of the Eucharist?
The Sacred Character of the Eucharist: This is the Mystery of the Real Presence of God-among-us and is unfathomable. How is its holy and sacred character acknowledged? How do priests and faithful demonstrate their belief in Christ's Real Presence at Sunday Mass? Weekday Masses? Major feast days? Other liturgical times during the year? What attitudes and practices obscure understanding of this sacred character?
Holy Mass and celebration of the Word: In parishes awaiting a priest, how widespread is the practice of celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with a lay person presiding who distributes Holy Communion? What specific formation do these lay people receive? Do the faithful fully understand the difference between such celebrations and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? Do they really appreciate the distinction between an ordained minister and lay extraordinary ministers of Communion who are not ordained?
The Eucharist and other Sacraments: To what measure are other Sacraments, such as Baptism, Matrimony, Confirmation, and also funerals celebrated during Holy Mass? When non-practicing Catholics, non-Catholics, and unbelievers are present, what steps are taken to avoid a casual attitude or even carelessness towards the reception of Holy Communion?
The Real Presence of Our Lord: Have the faithful in your parishes preserved faith in the Lord's Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament? Do they appreciate what a great gift this is? Do situations exist during the Liturgy of during Eucharistic Worship which might lead to a diminished regard for the Real Presence? If so, what are the reasons for this?
Eucharistic devotion: Does the worship of the Blessed Sacrament have a due place in parish life? What importance do parish priests give to: adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament? perpetual adoration? Benediction? personal prayer before the tabernacle? processions for the Feast of Corpus Christi? Eucharistic devotion in parish missions?
Holy Mass and other devotions: Do the faithful understand the difference between the Mass and other devotional practices such as, the Liturgy of the Hours, processions, the celebrations of the Sacraments and Sacramentals outside of Mass, etc.? How is this substantial difference shown?
Dignity at Eucharistic celebrations: Is attention given to the proper environment for Mass and for other Eucharistic celebrations? What is the artistic/architectural setting in which the Mass is celebrated? Do the surroundings clearly indicate the dignity and the sacred character of the Eucharist? How frequently and for what pastoral reasons is Mass celebrated outside the usual place of worship?
The Eucharist and inculturation: What criteria are followed in inculturation? Is care taken to avoid a misunderstanding of creativity which leads to peculiar and strange practices during the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? Are the norms proposed in the Instruction, De Liturgia Romana et Inculturazione given proper consideration?
The Eucharist and Eschatology: Is the connection between the Eucharist and the four last things--Death, Judgment, Hell and Heaven--given sufficient emphasis in catechesis, in on-going formation, in homilies and in liturgical celebrations? How does the celebration of the Mass manifest "the communion of the saints," a foretaste of the eschatological reality?
The Eucharist, ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue with the sects: Considering the ideas on the Eucharist held by our separated brethren and the challenges of other religions and sects, how is the Mystery of the Most Blessed Sacrament preserved and presented in its entirety so as not to cause confusion or misunderstanding among faithful Catholics, particularly at ecumenical and inter-religious meetings?
The Eucharist and "Inter-Communion": Do the faithful understand why the Eucharist cannot be the starting point for unity? (See Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 35) How are the norms for inter-Communion given in Canon Law 844 applied? Are the faithful aware that a Catholic cannot receive the "Eucharist" in communities which do not have valid Orders? (See Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 46).
The Eucharist and the moral life: The Eucharist provides growth in our moral lives. What do the faithful believe about the necessity of Sacramental Grace for living according to the Holy Spirit and becoming saints? Do the faithful understand the relationship between the reception of Holy Communion and other aspects of their lives: personal sanctification, moral obligations, fraternal charity, etc.?
The Eucharist and Mission: Are the faithful aware that the Sacrament of Holy Communion leads them to the mission they have to fulfill in the world according to their state of life?
More on the Eucharist? What other aspects of the Mass and the Sacrament of the Eucharist, not contained in the preceding questions should be considered in preparing the Instrumentum Laboris, the working document which will be discussed during the October Synod?
So, knowing this, what do we do?
As you can see, the Holy See has covered thoroughly the problems which are so common in this country. Most of us will be unable to answer all the questions, but if we can answer any of them we should respond to this unprecedented request for assistance as fully as we can.
We can reply as individuals, or we can work with a group of friends/fellow parishoners. If teachers and/or catechists assist you, perhaps in your answers to numbers 2 and 3, then you should explain that your answers were partly framed by professionals. If this is not possible, you should still answer as well as you can using past experiences as well as present.
If you hear of faulty religious textbooks being used, such as "Brusselmans" which teaches children they receive only "blessed bread" at Holy Communion; if you find the Mass being presented merely as " ceremonial meal" instead of a Holy Sacrifice; and if you know priests who "ad lib" while saying Mass, PLEASE WRITE TO ROME!
If you attend weddings or funerals where the priest omits to remind those present that, although non-Catholics can approach the altar for a blessing, they cannot receive the Host, and that any Catholic who knows he/she is not free from serious sin must also abstain, this Synod needs to know so that they can ensure it does not keep happening.
Ecumenical services can blur the teaching on the Holy Eucharist for non-Catholics and Catholics alike, so watch that the true teaching is always given without compromise. Bad habits such as failure to genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament and tabernacle and unnecessary talking in church, should also be mentioned.
If this Synod is going to succeed, the bishops worldwide need to know of these abuses and many others like them occur, and also how widespread they are. If you have discussed these questions with a helpful priest, then let Rome know but do not give his name without his permission.
Your answers/letters should be sent as soon as possible to:
The
Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops
I-00120 Vatican City, Italy
A cover letter is not necessary, but do enclose your name and full address. Also include the name of your bishop, your diocese, and the country you are writing from.
Copies of your answers/letter can be sent to:
The
Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith
Piazza del S.Uffizio 11
I-00120 Vatican City, Italy
and/or
The
Prefect of the Congregation for Worship and the Sacraments
Palazzo delle Congregazione
Piazza Pio XII
I-00120 Vatican City, Italy
Finally, I do most earnestly urge you to respond to these questions as fully and as quickly as you can, and so provide the October Synod with the information which will help them to ensure that Our Lord, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, is given the love and reverence due Him. After all, we have no right to complain about problems and abuses if we do not help to correct them when we are invited to. Also, it is not often that we are given the chance to show Our Lord how much we appreciate His wonderful gift of Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Communion.
God bless you all, and may the Holy Spirit inspire your writing!
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02/05/2006
