“Christ's Love Towards Mankind”

By

Robert John Colon

ON THE HOLY EUCHARIST

Christ's love towards mankind was so great that not only was He agreeable to undergo most cruel pains for our salvation and a terrible death upon the cross, but in addition He wished to nourish us for all time in the sacrament of His body and blood. Like this, He might strengthen us with His divinity and be the safest support of our spiritual life.

These statements express not just my opinion, but the teaching of the Church, who is the infallible teacher of Christ's doctrines. Amid all the insanities of human thought, the Church rises up like a shining lighthouse indicating to everyone the right path that they should follow. So, while intending to communicate real facts about the Eucharist, I have turned to the treasures of Church teaching for enlightenment.

Church teaching makes known that to participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice is the faithful’s principal duty and supreme dignity. Pope Pius XII expresses: in a certain sense it can be stated that on Calvary Christ constructed a font of cleansing and salvation which He filled with the blood He spilt; but if men do not wash in it and there wash away the marks of their iniquities, they can never be cleansed and saved. So, let us strive to contribute at Holy Mass well and profitably. The Catechism of St. Pius X teaches that to do this two things are essential: (1) Modesty of person as well as (2) Devotion of heart.

Modesty of person exists particularly in being modestly dressed. We might ask: what constitutes being modestly dressed? An Encyclical of Pope Pius XII states: modesty prohibits us to expose ourselves to risks; it withdraws from the slightest immodesty. But exactly when is dress immodest? Some specific standards concerning feminine attire have been attributed to Pope Pius XI Himself. These standards can be expressed in this way: a dress cannot be called modest which is cut deeper than two fingers width under the pit of the throat; a dress cannot be called modest which does not hide the arms at least to the elbows, and barely reaches somewhat beyond the knees. Furthermore, dresses of see-through material are improper. We might say that these standards or standards almost the same as these are too demanding when it is hot. But as the Encyclical Veritatis Splendor rightly teaches, even in the most difficult conditions man must respect the standard of morality. In stating this, I would like to come across not as a pitiless enforcer of doctrine but as a compassionate brother with his own weaknesses and moral ailments.

The Catechism of St. Pius X teaches that modesty of person also consists in observing silence. Here I would like to respectfully invite others to investigate the nature of the Mass and the nature of its location so that they may see whether needless talking is really lawful in these settings.

I would like to say a word about devotion of heart. The Catechism of St. Pius X teaches that in attending Holy Mass the best way to practice real devotion includes accompanying the priest in every prayer and action of the Sacrifice. Some people might say that this is not possible for everyone when Mass is in Latin, and that therefore Mass in Latin should not be. Pope Pius XII did not deny that many of the faithful have been unable to use the Roman missal although it is written in the vernacular. Nor did Pope Pius XII refrain from stating: the use of the native language in association with several of the rites may be of much gain to the people. However, those faithful unable to use the Roman missal can adopt some other lawful method which proves easier, and thus they can participate well at Holy Mass in Latin.

Brethren, may every Mass be for each one of you a renewed experience of the love of Christ, the unique Lover. He is the only true defender of human justice, and the only true consoler of the human anguish that in this life is inevitable. He alone points out to us that shelter of peace, justice, and everlasting gladness which all of us, redeemed by His blood, are to obtain after our earthly pilgrimage is completed.

May 9, 2008

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