Saturday, May 9, 2020 –
Yesterday our Bishop indicated that we would be resuming Mass within the week. There are some caveats—50% capacity, extra washing, recommended face masks, etc.—but overall, this is promising news.
However, the governor has been using words like “possible” and “maybe.” If you read carefully, there is no guarantee that Mass next week **will** happen. Likewise, the Bishop has not made public the full scope of what each Church must do (cleaning, masks, etc.). The very fact that so much of this news comes with a TBD label speaks volumes.
Do not get me wrong, I am thrilled, I really am! However, I am also dubious. There has been so much upheaval the last two months, daily changes in every aspect of our lives, and a lot of talk of the “new normal.” What does that mean: “new normal?”
Before all this happened, there were already a lot of people receiving while in a state of mortal sin. The body blows to the Blessed Sacrament were through the roof: improper reception, dropped hosts, parades of Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion, theft for black masses, and so forth. Let’s be honest, it is not like the previous normal was spectacular or anything.
Unfortunately, seeing what several other Bishops and diocese have declared as their new normal, I am particularly scared that we are trading the old bad for a new, possibly worse, bad.
I am terrified about what changes are coming down the pike, and I am worried that there will be a massive uptick even worse profanations of the Blessed Sacrament. Some Bishops have already (wrongly) declared that nobody can receive on the tongue. There is at least one diocese distributing the Holy Eucharist in dixie cups for people to (gag!!) take home.
Germany should never really be used as an indicator of anything, but if you stop to look at how the Church in Germany has invented new ways of totally irreverent reception of Communion, you’ll see why I and many others are so nervous about the “new normal.” Peter Kwasniewski wrote a very telling article—with pictures!!—about the “Contempt for Communion and the Mechanization of Mass.”
It would be far better not to distribute Our Lord in Communion than to subject this Most Holy Sacrament to such demeaning expedients. Never has it become more clear that the Novus Ordo is thought of like a “sacramental distribution machine”: the laity have to come and get their token, or perhaps make use of delivery with Amazon Prime.
Again, I am thrilled that we are talking about returning to Mass. I long to pray at the foot of the Cross during the Most Holy Sacrifice of the altar! I am nervous, though. I am scared. I am utterly terrified that we might be headed to some dark, irreverent times in the Church.
I am trying to prepare myself mentally for the crazy times ahead. It’s not going great…
Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles, pray for us!
