Mother of the Eucharist

                                             Pic:  Francesca Pollio Fenton/EWTN News

Yesterday, we celebrated the birthday of the Church. At Pentecost, the Church was born – not quietly, but with a kind of holy explosion, bursting forth into the streets of Jerusalem and spreading rapidly to Samaria, Antioch, Alexandria, Rome and beyond. The Good News went out in every direction, reaching Asia, Africa, and Europe.

In 2018, Pope Francis established that today, the Monday after Pentecost, be celebrated as the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. This feast forms an important link in a long tradition that stretches back to the earliest centuries of Christianity.

Eucharistic joy at Pentecost

The cultural and ethnic diversity of Ireland is most welcome and has greatly enriched our society. Yesterday, I attended an African cultural evening in Carlow Town. It was noisy, colourful, busy, and above all joyful. The dancing, the food, the music, and the lively chatter made it a truly memorable occasion.

There is something about African culture, as we experience it here in Ireland, that is uplifting, joyful, and community-oriented. Perhaps we have lost some of that spirit in recent years?

Amen

There is at least one word in the sacred liturgy that is seldom used in ordinary life except, perhaps, ironically or emphatically: Amen. This word appears many times throughout the Mass and also in the Liturgy of the Hours. It means “so be it” or “truly.”

The Great Amen is proclaimed by all the faithful at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer. In it, we are saying ‘yes’ to all that has been prayed and proclaimed – to the saving power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Eat and drink

Picture source is here

A distinguishing feature of the celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church is that, in most instances – at least in my observation over several decades – Holy Communion is provided under one species only, namely the consecrated bread rather than the consecrated wine. The practice in the Eastern rites is different, where Communion is almost always given under both kinds.

Worthy to receive? (#2)

In yesterday’s blog (Worthy to receive? #1) I touched on the matter of worthiness to receive Holy Communion at least in the Roman Catholic church. As is well known, there are many rules and guidelines governing who may or may not be in a position to receive Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church. There are, for example, restrictions concerning those who are not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, although clearly defined exceptions do exist. In particular circumstances, it is possible for Christians belonging to communities of the Reformation (referred to in more recent times in Roman Catholic terminology as “ecclesial communities”) to receive Holy Communion, but only under specific and exceptional conditions.

How do we know that the Holy Spirit has come?

Sunday 24 May 2026

Lectio Divina:*

Acts 2:1-11 Psalm 104(103)

1 Corinthians 12:3-7 John 20:19-23

Meditatio:

‘..the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord’   (John 20:20)

 

Commentary:

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The scene is set by John. The disciples are afraid - very afraid. They might well be like a small congregation in a tense situation today, glancing nervously at every uncertain movement, imagining the worst. Fear grips them at a deep, almost physical level. You can feel it in the gut.

Then, something extraordinary happens. Jesus stands among them again. As he does each time he appears after the Resurrection—and as he still does today in the life of the Church – he says: “Peace be with you.”

Worthy to receive? #1

Source: Pinterest

To receive Holy Communion is, to borrow a contemporary phrase, truly ‘awesome’. Indeed it is. While we ought to approach the Sacrament with confidence, joy, and hope, we should also pause and reflect on what it is that we are about to receive. It is no small thing to drink the cup of salvation, which is the Blood of Christ.

Jesus said to the disciples who sought places beside Him:

“You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” (Mark 10:38).