"For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, And giving thanks, broke, and said;

"Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me."

In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying:

"This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come."

Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord."

     "Not in vain do we at the holy mysteries make mention of the departed, and draw near on their behalf, beseeching the Lamb who is lying on the altar, who took away the sin of the world."

     "The offering up of the Holy Mass benefits not only the saints for whom [in whose honor] it is said, but the whole Church of God in Heaven, on earth and in Purgatory."

     "When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His.  We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other,"

     "One single Mass gives more honor to God than all the penances of the Saints, the labors of the Apostles, the sufferings of the Martyrs and even the burning love of the Blessed Mother of God."

     "My Son so loves those who assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
that, if it were necessary He would die for them as many times as they've
heard Masses."

      "The Lord came to the aid of each great tribulation with a special devotion.  The devotion which God now sends to succor His Church is devotion to the most Holy Eucharist.  It is the highest of all devotions."

     "When you awake in the night, transport yourself quickly in spirit before the Tabernacle, saying: 'Behold, my God, I come to adore You, to praise, thank, and love you, and to keep you company with all the Angels,' "

     "The Lord Jesus himself proclaims, 'This is My Body.'  Before the blessing of the heavenly words something of another character is spoken of; [bread].  After consecration it is designated 'body'.  He himself speaks of his blood.  Before the consecration it is spoken of as something else; [wine].  After the consecration it is spoken of as 'blood'.  And you say, 'Amen'  ~  that is, 'It is true.'  What the mouth speaks,  let the mind within confess; what the tongue utters, let the heart feel."

     "My delights are to be with the children of men. To satisfy My love I have instituted this Sacrament.  I have obliged Myself to remain therein even to the end of the world, and I wish It to be frequently received.  Should anyone deter a soul, not in the state of mortal sin, from Communion, he would impede the delight of My Heart.  I have done My utmost to manifest the tenderness of My Heart in the Blessed Eucharist.  When, impelled by the vehemence of My Love, I enter a soul by Communion, I fill it with graces, and all the inhabitants of heaven and earth, and all the souls in purgatory experience at the same moment some new effect of My bounty."

     "It is not My justice, but My goodness and tenderness, which I strive to manifest in the Eucharist.  To be convinced of this, consider how I am imprisoned in a small ciborium, and under what lowly appearances I come to men, I the King of Glory!  Even thus is My justice imprisoned by My mercy, My gracious mercy, which alone I extend to all in this Sacrament.  Dost thou not see that whilst reducing Myself to the tiny proportions of the Host, I really subordinate My Body, thus humiliated, to the body of him who receives Me?"

     "It is a time-honored custom that one who has twice held the office of governor excels in honor him who has filled the office but once.  Likewise, they shall be more glorious in heaven who shall have received Me oftener on earth...."

     "One who does not abstain from vain, idle, or sinful discourses, and who approaches Holy Communion without repentance, is like a person who gathers a heap of stones at the threshold of his door to throw at his guest when he comes to visit him, or beats him cruelly on the head with a rod."

     "In communicating but once, the Christian receives Me for his salvation,
with all My goods -That is, with the united treasures of My Divinity and Humanity; but he does not appropriate the abundance of these treasures except by repeated Communions.  At each new Communion, I increase, I multiply the riches which are to constitute his happiness in heaven!....."

    "He who communicates from habit does not taste the sweetness of the Eucharist; whilst he who prepares his heart for Its reception by exercises of piety an devotion, tastes of this sweetness in proportion to his good disposition.  In fine, he who approaches Me with fear and reverence is less eagerly welcomed than he who comes to Me from a motive of pure love."

      "Make as many Spiritual Communions as possible, to supply for the many Sacramental Communions which are not made.  One every quarter of an hour is not enough.  Make them shorter, but more numerous."

     "A spiritual communion acts on the soul as blowing does on a cinder - covered fire which was about to go out.  Whenever you feel your love of God growing cold, quickly make a spiritual communion."

          "Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.  But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord."
 

   Blessed Padre Pio ~ who lived in our day, died only some 50 years ago,  a poor Italian born cappuchin monk and priest known since early childhood for his saintliness, his penances, mortifications and many miracles, who gave his life completely to God.  Who was sought after the world over for his ability obtain cures and healing like the apostles, and especially for his ability to read souls in the Sacrament of Confession.  Who suffered the visible and painful wounds of Christ in his body like St. Francis Assisi (The Stigmata) in his hands, feet, and side.  Who found time to pray the rosary 35 times a day!  Who was very devoted to The Blessed Virgin Mary ~ and died in the odor of sanctity ~ once said:

     Holy Communion can only be received while one is in a state of grace. Therefore, if one is conscious of a mortal sin, even though he has repented of it and wants to receive Holy Communion ~ He must and without exception ~ be absolved from that stain of sin in the Sacrament of Confession ~ before he can receive the Good Lord in Holy Communion! Otherwise he is also guilty of committing the grave sin of sacrilege.

This is what The Council of Trent, on Catechism, (De Euch.,v.i)  had to say regarding the gravity of this matter:

  "As of all the sacred mysteries...none can compare with the ...Eucharist, so likewise for no crime is there heavier punishment to be feared from God than for the unholy or irreligious use by the faithful of that which...contains the very Author and Source of holiness."

       The saints were well aware of the need for frequent purification in the sacrament of confession and their unworthiness to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion.  It is a well known fact that a great many saints went to daily confession ~ or very frequently, before receiving Holy Communion. Some examples include:  St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis de Sales, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Louis Bertrand, St. Hugh, St. Joseph Cupertino, St. Leonard of Port Maurice St. Cammillus de Lellis, St. Francis Borgia, and many more. Some examples of very frequent confession recipients are:  St. Alphonsus, St. John Bosco, St. Pius X,  St. Joseph Cafasso, and Blessed Padre Pio.

       The most conscientious souls have always made confession at least once a week, for the sanctifying and purification of their souls from venial sins.  Even ~ and especially ~ if one is a daily communicant.

  You've all heard Pastors mention time and time again, (and not just in the Catholic Church) the type of dress that should not be worn in Church ~ to no avail.  I am picking up the gauntlet here in hopes of reaching those who need to hear this again, or even for the first time.

     It's VERY OFFENSIVE  to God for Him to see all the IMMODESTY so common in Church these days!  Even with Extraordinary Ministers!  Mini skirts and high heels, sleeveless blouses, ripped baggy jeans, tank tops, low-cut, high-cut ~ tight-fitting anything, beach wear, short shorts, ankle bracelets, nose rings, crummy T-shirts (especially with rock stars or sayings on them) in short, the general lack of respect in dress as we enter God's Holy Temple!
 

     The way we dress is an outward reflection of what there is on the inside.  If there is no respect on the outside ~ it's a strong indication there is no respect on the inside!  The way the young people (our future) dress today to fit the latest fashion fads - is very discouraging.  What's worse is that the adults are no better!  It's not uncommon to see a family: husband, wife & children ~ mother in pumps and a tight mini skirt or short shorts, teenage daughter in ripped baggy jeans and tight tank top ~ a rose tattooed to her shoulder, and a son with earings in both ears, wearing the same oversize baggy jeans and a punk rock T-shirt.  Interestingly enough, you're more likely to notice these things in affluent areas than in poorer parishes.

     You wouldn't dress like a bum to go to your best friend's wedding without seriously insulting them!   Doesn't Our Lord deserve at least the same respect when entering his house for the great wedding feast of the Mass?!

     It's 'anything goes' today.  We should not be going to Church to be seen by others ~ like peacocks on display at a Saturday night disco!  Even loud, brightly-colored clothes should be avoided for the simple reason that it draws attention to yourself and is a distraction to others who owe their complete attention to God ~ whom they've come to worship.

      Do we ever give a thought to how God sees us, or the state of our souls as we carelessly go up to receive Him in Holy Communion? Where are the long lines to the confessional ~ as long as the line going up to receive Jesus in Holy Communion?  Is it possible that sin is on a major decline - and soon Confession will be an outdated Sacrament?!  Or is it more likely a sad sign of the moral errosion and spiritual neglect you see way too often in the 'fast food' Church-goers of today?

     Just as irreverent ~ and twice as shocking ~ is gum chewing!  Yes ~ gum chewing. I've witnessed gum-chewers waltz right up, receive Holy Communion, waltz back down and not miss a beat!  I dare not think about the consequences that this kind of behavior ~ by God's own people, will bring down upon us ~ if it's not stopped now!

    The question we all need to ask ourselves ~ is how do we live, and what do we do that marks us as different from all the world concerning our faith in God?  Being a card-carrying member is not going to get you into Heaven!  Just look at the public figures in today's society that consider themselves 'Catholic' (!)  Hello??

     How exactly do we personally put into practice the saying, 'living in the world ~ but of the world apart'?  It's our example that speaks the loudest.  How do we keep Holy the Sabbath?  How many times did we freely used God's name in vain today?   How many times have we corrected others who do it habitually and unthinkingly?  How many times have you gossiped about someone behind their back?  How many times have you missed Sunday Mass because of laziness or some other 'more pressing' obligation?  Let us all take a deep look at ourselves - see how far we've fallen, and repent - right now - while there's still time!

  "When you approach to receive Me in Holy Communion, receive Me with these intentions of feeling all the glowing desire and love with which the heart of any mortal has been inflamed.  I will accept this love and preparation, not as it is in you, but what you desire your love and preparation to be."

   "After you have received Holy Communion, offer the Divine Wealth you then possess to pay the debt of souls... Souls that eat My flesh possess God, the Author of Life and of life eternal.  That is how they become My Heaven.  Nothing can compare with their beauty.  The angels are in admiration and, as God is with them, they fall down in adoration.  O souls, if you only knew your dignity! ... Your soul is My Heaven; every time you receive Me in Holy Communion, My Grace augments both your dignity and your beauty."

     And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off; And lifted up their voice, saying: "Jesus, master, have mercy on us."  Whom when he saw, he said: "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean.

And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering, said, "Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger."

     What do we see today in Church? Before the priest has even said the final blessing, people are tripping over each other to be the first out of the parking lot ~ as if they had something more important to do!!

It was the habit of many saints to spend long lengths of time in thanksgiving to God after receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. Here is what some had to say:

( St. Mary Magdalene di Pazzi )
    "The minutes that follow Communion are the most precious we have in our lives. They are the minutes best suited on our part for treating with God, and on His part for communicating His love to us."

(St. Teresa of the Child Jesus)
    "Let us detain ourselves lovingly with Jesus and not waste the hour that follows Communion. It is an excellent time to deal with God and put before Him the matters that concern our soul. ...As we know that good Jesus remains within us until our natural warmth has dissolved the breadlike qualities, we should take great care not to lose such a beautiful opportunity to treat with Him and lay our needs before Him."

(St. Louis de Montfort)
    "I would not give up this hour of Thanksgiving even for an hour of Paradise."
 

     Therefore, let us resolve to spend more time in Thanksgiving after receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion ~ bathing in those precious few moments ~ when our souls touch the God of all Creation!

 It was the practice of St. Benedict Joseph Labre after receiving Holy Communion to offer to God all the loving aspirations of the Blessed Mother, all the Apostles and saints which they had made after they'd received Holy Communion.

   "One should NEVER attack a priest, even when he's in error, rather one should pray and do penance that I'll grant him My grace again.  He alone fully represents Me, even when he doesn't live after My example!"

"When a Priest falls we should extend him a helping hand through prayer and not through attacks!  I Myself will be his judge, no one but I!"

"Whoever voices judgment over a priest has voiced it over me; Child, never let a priest be attacked, take up his defense."
(Feast of Christ the King 1937)

"Child, Never judge your confessor, rather pray much for him and offer every THURSDAY, through the hands of My blessed Mother, Holy Communion [for him]. (18.6. 1939)

"Never again accept an out-of-the-way word about a Priest, and speak no unkind word (about them) EVEN IF IT WERE TRUE!  Every Priest is My Vicar and My heart will be sickened and insulted because of it!  If you hear a judgment [against a Priest] pray a HAIL MARY."
(28. 6. 1939)

     "If you see a Priest who celebrates the Holy Mass unworthily then say nothing about him, rather tell it to Me alone!  I stand beside Him on the alter!"
"Oh pray much for my priests, that they'll love purity above all, that they'll celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with pure hands and heart.  Certainly the Holy Sacrifice is one and the same even when it's celebrated by an unworthy priest, but the graces called down upon the people is not the same!"  (28. 2. 1938)

     "One ought to pray earnestly, especially at the Ember Seasons, that God will give us good priests.  If they are saints, what good they are able to do! But, whatever they are, never speak against them."