The precious gift of holy communion is one of the precious gifts that Jesus Christ has given to the Church. How grateful we are to Almighty God for this life saving gift!
As it is my responsibility to ensure that Holy Communion is given and received properly from the priest to the faithful, I kindly ask you to please read the following directive regarding the reception of Holy Communion.
Please refrain from taking the host with you to the pew and then consume it at the pew. I kindly ask all parishioners to please receive holy communion immediately in front of the priest.
Unfortunately, people have left consecrated hosts on the floor or inside missalettes. This is more common during weddings and funerals, but it does happen at Sunday Mass or even during the week.
I like to conclude this letter with one of the greatest prayers of the Church, the Anima Christi. It is a prayer that is fitting to be said after a soul has received Holy Communion.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me Body of Christ, save me Blood of Christ, inebriate me Water from Christ’s side, wash me Passion of Christ, strengthen me O good Jesus, hear me Within Thy wounds hide me Separated from Thee never let me be. From the malicious enemy defend me In the hour of my death call me And bid me come unto Thee That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels for all eternity Amen.
In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Jeff Yildirmaz
