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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
St. Paul's warning regarding receiving Holy Communion	John R.	Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Question: Bro. Ignatius, I have come to realize that our most reverent, and the most important Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, the sum and substance of our Catholic faith, is slowly, but most assuredly, being made less important. The reason I say this is because our Priest’s never, ever, warn their Congregation that to receive Holy Communion while not in a state of grace, according to St. Paul, can bring condemnation on those who do so. To understand the importance of this, one needs only to read 1 Corinthians 11:23-34. Christ gave us Seven Sacraments, without which, salvation could not be possible. Six of the Seven Sacraments give us grace, but the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, not only gives us grace but also gives us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Did not Jesus tell us, “unless you eat My Body and drink My Blood you will not have life in you”? Can it be so inconceivable that our Priests do not, or will not, give their Congregation St. Paul’s warning? I can not speak for all Priest’s across the entire country, but here in the Diocese of Orlando, none of the Priest's in the 4 Catholic Church’s that I have been a member during the past 31 years, have ever given St. Paul’s warning. Bro. Ignatius, whatever advice you can offer with regard to this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless you and your Ministry. John R.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear John: I also lack understanding as to why many priests do not teach and preach about the sacredness and holiness of the Most Holy Eucharist and the consequences of receiving our Lord unworthily. Bishops and priests have a solemn obligation to teach and preach this truth. If they do not they will be held accountable before the Almighty God who will judge their complicity accordingly. Whoa to any bishop, priest, or teacher who leads the Faithful astray through deliberate mis-teaching, careless mis-teaching, or neglectful failure to teach what ought to be taught and preached. What to do about the failure of priest to do this? Well, express your concerns to your priest, but do it kindly, not in a manner of accusation or implication of neglect. Be respectful and business-like. Beyond that, pray for him. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

St. Paul's warning regarding receiving Holy Communion

John R.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Question:

Bro. Ignatius,

I have come to realize that our most reverent, and the most important Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, the sum and substance of our Catholic faith, is slowly, but most assuredly, being made less important. The reason I say this is because our Priest’s never, ever, warn their Congregation that to receive Holy Communion while not in a state of grace, according to St. Paul, can bring condemnation on those who do so.

To understand the importance of this, one needs only to read 1 Corinthians 11:23-34. Christ gave us Seven Sacraments, without which, salvation could not be possible. Six of the Seven Sacraments give us grace, but the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, not only gives us grace but also gives us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Did not Jesus tell us, “unless you eat My Body and drink My Blood you will not have life in you”?

Can it be so inconceivable that our Priests do not, or will not, give their Congregation St. Paul’s warning? I can not speak for all Priest’s across the entire country, but here in the Diocese of Orlando, none of the Priest's in the 4 Catholic Church’s that I have been a member during the past 31 years, have ever given St. Paul’s warning.

Bro. Ignatius, whatever advice you can offer with regard to this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you and your Ministry.

John R.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear John:

I also lack understanding as to why many priests do not teach and preach about the sacredness and holiness of the Most Holy Eucharist and the consequences of receiving our Lord unworthily.

Bishops and priests have a solemn obligation to teach and preach this truth. If they do not they will be held accountable before the Almighty God who will judge their complicity accordingly. Whoa to any bishop, priest, or teacher who leads the Faithful astray through deliberate mis-teaching, careless mis-teaching, or neglectful failure to teach what ought to be taught and preached.

What to do about the failure of priest to do this? Well, express your concerns to your priest, but do it kindly, not in a manner of accusation or implication of neglect. Be respectful and business-like.

Beyond that, pray for him.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum