CV NEWS FEED // The Bishop of Gallup, New Mexico, penned an apostolic exhortation highlighting practical ways to better prepare for and participate in Mass, such as arriving 15 minutes early, reading about the Mass, and receiving the Eucharist with reverence.
“My earnest desire is that [sic] each of us in our own way and state of life may better learn to ‘revere the sacred mysteries’ of Christ in the Eucharist,” wrote Bishop James Wall on June 19 in the exhortation Sacra Mysteria Venerari.
He pointed out that faith in the Eucharist has declined in the past several years. “Irreverent liturgies, poor catechesis, and a lack of available times for confession and adoration are only a few” of the causes, he noted.
However, Bishop Wall continued, he did not intend “to be a harbinger of doom” and instead wanted to praise Christ’s mysteries so that all can “see the beauty of the Eucharistic Lord anew” and draw closer to God. The multi-part exhortation included reflections on the Incarnation, the Eucharist, and the Mass.
To better understand the Mass, Bishop Wall suggested taking time to read about the liturgy, through devotionals, commentaries, or explanations about the Mass. At the end of the exhortation, Bishop Wall included a list of books he recommended, such as Venerable Fulton Sheen’s Calvary and the Mass.
A “Eucharistic Examination of Conscience” was also included at the end of the exhortation, with different reflective questions for priests, parishes, deacons, individuals, and catechists.
For preparing for Mass, Bishop Wall suggested prayerfully reading the Mass texts the night before or the day of. He noted that the Daily Roman Missal and the monthly issues of the Magnificat are good resources for this.
Bishop Wall also wrote that at the Mass everyone “should ask the Lord for particular graces,” either for oneself or others, to have intentionality in praying at Mass.
Fasting for the required one hour before Communion is an important aspect of preparing for Mass, Bishop Wall highlighted: “While one hour is not long, even such a small sacrifice of self-denial helps us to prepare, both mentally and physically, to come into the Presence of God.”
“I would also urge everyone to arrive at Mass early, at least by fifteen minutes,” he continued:
When we show up right as Mass begins, or worse, late, we show that God is not a priority in our lives, and we have difficulty shrugging off the weight of the world as we try to enter into prayer. Arriving early allows us time to calm down and pray with more piety, attention, and devotion.
Receiving the sacrament of Confession regularly, especially if one is in a state of mortal sin, is essential for preparing for Mass, the Bishop added: “I recommend to all a monthly confession, if not more frequently. I also at this time renew my encouragement to our priests: be generous in offering this sacrament of reconciliation. Your time spent hearing confessions will always be time well spent.”
During the actual reception of Holy Communion, Bishop Wall wrote that everyone, especially priests and deacons, “must be careful to treat the Blessed Sacrament with the utmost respect,” recognizing that the Eucharist is God.
Those receiving should not rush, he continued: “Rushing through Mass or Communion is not only possibly sinful, it is also a dangerous occasion to drop the Host or lose particles along the way. Taking time to respectfully handle the Blessed Sacrament is of utmost importance.”
The two ways to receive the Eucharist are either “on the tongue or in the hands,” he wrote, pointing out that the wording is important.
“The first [way] is on the tongue, not in the mouth or with the teeth. The second is in the hands, one on top of the other, not on a single hand or with the fingers,” he continued:
This means both hands are to be free and not holding anything, so that the Host can go immediately and directly into the mouth. If both hands cannot be free, as when, for example, parents are holding a child in their arms, it would be more appropriate to receive on the tongue.
Finally, he highlighted the importance of not rushing out of the church immediately after Mass is over, but instead remaining to pray in thanksgiving for what was received.
In his conclusion, Bishop Wall wrote that his hope for everyone in his diocese as the multi-year, national Eucharistic Revival continues is that “each of us may learn to long for the Lord in the Eucharist,” and to be able to “truly say to the Lord in the Eucharist: ‘O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where no water is. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory’ (Ps. 63:1-2).”
