Volume Iii Part 31 (1/2)

A. To protect the Blessed Sacrament from insult or injury, or when in danger of death, Holy Communion may be received without fasting.

Q. 908. Is the Holy Communion called by any other name when given to one in danger of death?

A. When the Holy Communion is given to one in danger of death, it is called Viatic.u.m, and is given with its own form of prayer. In giving Holy Communion the priest says: ”May the body of Our Lord Jesus Christ guard your soul to eternal life.” In giving Holy Viatic.u.m he says: ”Receive, brother (or sister), the Viatic.u.m of the body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which will guard you from the wicked enemy and lead you into eternal life.”

Q. 909. {259} When are we bound to receive Holy Communion?

A. We are bound to receive Holy Communion, under pain of mortal sin, during the Easter time and when in danger of death.

Q. 910. {260} Is it well to receive Holy Communion often?

A. It is well to receive Holy Communion often, as nothing is a greater aid to a holy life than often to receive the Author of all grace and the Source of all good.

Q. 911. How shall we know how often we should receive Holy Communion?

A. We shall know how often we shall receive Holy Communion only from the advice of our confessor, by whom we must be guided, and whom we must strictly obey in this as well as in all matters concerning the state of our soul.

Q. 912. What is a spiritual Communion?

A. A spiritual communion is an earnest desire to receive Communion in reality, by which desire we make all preparations and thanksgivings that we would make in case we really received the Holy Eucharist. Spiritual Communion is an act of devotion that must be pleasing to G.o.d and bring us blessings from Him.

Q. 913. {261} What should we do after Holy Communion?

A. After Holy Communion we should spend some time in adoring Our Lord, in thanking Him for the grace we have received, and in asking Him for the blessings we need.

Q. 914. What length of time should we spend in thanksgiving after Holy Communion?

A. We should spend sufficient time in Thanksgiving after Holy Communion to show due reverence to the Blessed Sacrament; for Our Lord is personally with us as long as the appearance of bread and wine remains.

Q. 915. What should we be particular about when receiving Holy Communion?

A. When receiving Holy Communion we should be particular: (1) About the respectful manner in which we approach and return from the altar; (2) About our personal appearance, especially neatness and cleanliness; (3) About raising our head, opening our mouth and putting forth the tongue in the proper manner; (4) About swallowing the Sacred Host; (5) About removing it carefully with the tongue, in case it should stick to the mouth, but never with the finger under any circ.u.mstances.

LESSON TWENTY-FOURTH.

ON THE SACRIFICE OF THE Ma.s.s.

Q. 916. {262} When and where are the bread and wine changed into the body and blood of Christ?

A. The bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ at the Consecration in the Ma.s.s.

Q. 917. {263} What is the Ma.s.s?

A. The Ma.s.s is the unb.l.o.o.d.y sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ.

Q. 918. Why is this Sacrifice called the Ma.s.s?

A. This Sacrifice is called the ”Ma.s.s” very probably from the words ”Ite Missa est,” used by the priest as he tells the people to depart when the Holy Sacrifice is ended.

Q. 919. {264} What is a sacrifice?

A. A sacrifice is the offering of an object by a priest to G.o.d alone, and the consuming of it to acknowledge that He is the Creator and Lord of all things.

Q. 920. {265} Is the Ma.s.s the same sacrifice as that of the Cross?

A. The Ma.s.s is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross.

Q. 921. {266} How is the Ma.s.s the same sacrifice as that of the Cross?

A. The Ma.s.s is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross because the offering and the priest are the same--Christ our Blessed Lord; and the ends for which the sacrifice of the Ma.s.s is offered are the same as those of the sacrifice of the Cross.

Q. 922. {267} What were the ends for which the sacrifice of the Cross was offered?

A. The ends for which the sacrifice of the Cross was offered were: 1st, To honor and glorify G.o.d; 2nd, To thank Him for all the graces bestowed on the whole world; 3rd, To satisfy G.o.d's justice for the sins of men; 4th, To obtain all graces and blessings.