Soul and Sacrament

There's a survey being taken of all bishops regarding the Latin Mass that Pope Benedict made 'legal' a few years back. (Read about it here: https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/pope-francis-surveys-bishops-worldwide-on-traditional-latin-mass) This survey may mean that the bishops who don't like the use of the Latin Mass may prefer that it be taken away. Many of the present cardinals (and some of the older bishops) were the ones who created the reforms of Vatican II, and they see the new espousal of the Latin Tridentine Mass as a slap in the face of those reforms they worked so hard to create. It is not widely known that those Vatican II Mass reforms were the result of an ecumenical effort that included the input of Protestant clergy in the creation of the new Mass. It was supposed to bring the Catholic Church forward into the future and modernity, and it was also supposed to bridge the Protestant-Catholic gap by bringing us closer to our Protestant brethren. The results o...

“Eventually, in that chapel, deep in my heart, I knew. Sister Rose was right. God offers Himself to you and me in the blessed body and blood. It really is true. So I quietly prayed, “Lord, forgive my unbelief.” This sacrament really is what Jesus said it is. The real presence of Jesus among us. It all rides on the Eucharist. The Eucharist is our family meal. It is the gift of God. Jesus comes to us and feeds us with Himself in the elements. Our worship focuses on the altar because that is how and where Jesus presents Himself to us. The Eucharist also binds us together. Without the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we merely have our own ideas rather than true unity. In the Eucharist, Jesus fuels and empowers His Church. Everything rides on the Eucharist. Very simply, God changed my heart. ‘This house will take care of you. Everything you need is in this house.’” — Allen Hunt, from his book, Confessions of a Megachurch Pastor

THIS WEEK’S PERSON OF FAITH: ROBERT CARDINAL SARAH I recently became aware of Robert Cardinal Sarah because I bought a book written by him. The book is called The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise. I find the topic interesting because I feel like my life is filled with voices and noise (self-inflicted) as I am a habitual tv-watcher, music-listener, video-watcher, etc. Lately I have realized that I need to actually budget some time to think, pray, and reflect in silence. I am planning to empty out my walk-in closet and create a quiet space there. Hubby is willing (reluctantly at first) to share his closet with me. Have you heard of Robert Cardinal Sarah? He has very strong opinions on how to promote the belief in the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. He also believes we should receive the Eucharist while kneeling and on the tongue. He espouses a return to a more sacred, reverent attitude toward our church, worship, and the Eucharist. Some people ...