143. Graces From the Holy Eucharist

We should receive Our Lord in the Eucharist with the faith and love of a child. Children receiving Holy Communion ought to think of themselves approaching to take the Child Jesus from the arms of our Blessed Lady. With how much love and adoration, with what joy we should receive Jesus into our arms, if the Blessed Virgin should appear before us to give Him to us! Yet Holy Communion is really better than that: we not only receive Jesus into our arms, but into our very hearts.

What are the chief effects of a worthy Holy Communion?

— The chief effects of a worthy Holy Communion are:

1. A closer union with Our Lord, and a more fervent love of God and of our neighbour. What food and drink do for the body, the Eucharist does for the soul. It unites our body and soul to that of Christ.

In Holy Communion we become united with Christ, as He Himself promised, "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him" (John 6:57).

2. An increase of sanctifying grace. Holy Communion makes us more pleasing to God by an increase of grace, making us live in Him and made like unto Him.

As St. Thomas says, "As an offshoot from a good tree, when grafted upon a wild one, draws out its bitter taste, and makes it bear good fruit, so the body of Jesus Christ, when ingrafted in us, corrects our faults, and enables us to bring forth fruits of justice like unto those He Himself performs."

3. Preservation from mortal sin and the remission of venial sin.

Holy Communion preserves us from falling back into sin by lessening the violence of our passions and temptations, and by infusing new light into our souls, by which we see the power and folly of sin. As food repairs bodily waste, so Holy Communion repairs waste in the soul, caused by faults.

4. The lessening of our inclinations to sin, and the help to practice good works. To receive more abundantly the graces of Holy Communion, we should strive to be most fervent and free ourselves from deliberate venial sin.

Holy Communion gives our soul an extraordinary vigour. As our bodily life depends on the union of our body with our soul, so our supernatural life depends upon the union of our soul with God. The closer this union, the more vigorous will be our supernatural life; in Holy Communion our soul is more closely united with God than if we melted two pieces of wax into one.

What should we do after Holy Communion?

— After Holy Communion we should spend some time adoring Our Lord, thanking Him, renewing our promises of love and of obedience to Him, and asking Him for blessings for ourselves and others.

1. We should not leave the church immediately after receiving Holy Communion. We should pray at least ten or fifteen minutes, thanking our Divine Guest. We should thank Our Lord fervently for coming to us, make acts of faith, adoration, humility, and love, and beg Him favours for ourselves and those we love.

Our Lord is actually and personally present in us as long as the appearance of bread remains, for at least ten minutes after receiving Holy Communion. Shall we treat God the Son coldly, by doing nothing when He comes? For earthly guests we exert ourselves to the utmost, to entertain them and make their stay enjoyable. Shall we then say to Christ, "I am glad You came, Lord. Now goodbye, because I must go home." And forget Him?

2. If our work or duties prevent our staying in church to give proper thanksgiving, let us remain recollected and in union with Jesus on our way home; and let us remember Him with love throughout the entire day.

Once St. Philip Neri noticed that a certain parishioner, for no reason, habitually left the church immediately after receiving Holy Communion. In order to correct him, he told two acolytes one day to accompany the man with lighted candles as he walked home. The acolytes did as they were told. The people in the streets stared in surprise, and the man seeing his escort asked them the reason for their following him. They replied that Father Philip Neri had so instructed them. The man returned to the church to find out St. Philip's purpose. The Saint answered, "We have to pay proper respect to Our Lord, Whom you are carrying away with you. Since you neglect to adore Him, I sent two acolytes to take your place." Realizing his fault, the man knelt and made the proper thanksgiving after Holy Communion.

How should we show our gratitude to Our Lord for remaining always on our altars in the Holy Eucharist?

— We should show our gratitude to Our Lord for remaining always on our altars in the Holy Eucharist by visiting Him often, by reverence in church, by assisting at weekday Mass when this is possible, by attending parish devotions, and by being present at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

1. Paying visits to the Blessed Sacrament is a loving gesture towards Our Lord really present there. He is our best Friend, and shall we not pay Him a call once in a while?

Wherever the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, a light must always be kept burning before It. Olive oil should be used; in case of necessity the bishop may permit the use of a substitute. Where more than one lamp is used, their number must be uneven. The use of the sanctuary lamp dates back to the thirteenth century.

2. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is an act of worship in which the Sacred Host, placed in the monstrance, is exposed to the people for adoration, and is lifted up to bless them. Cardinal Newman said of Benediction, "It is Our Lord's solemn benediction of His people, as when He lifted up His hands over His children, or when He blessed His chosen ones when He ascended up from Mount Olivet."

At Benediction, the priest uses the cope, which is a large silk cloak enveloping his entire body. On his shoulders he uses a humeral or shoulder veil, with which he holds up the monstrance in blessing. At Benediction, at least twelve candles must be used on the altar, and the Sacred Host must be incensed twice; immediately after the Exposition, and at the second stanza of the Tantum Ergo.

3. The Holy Hour is a devotion in honour of Our Lord. It is often made before the Blessed Sacrament, although this is not necessary to gain the indulgences. The devotion consists of an hour of mental or vocal prayer in union with the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Olives, in honour of His agony.

The Holy Hour may be made either in public or in private. If in public, it must be made in church or chapel any hour of the day of any day in the week.

4. The Devotion of the Forty Hours is a favourite devotion related to the Holy Eucharist.

A relay of worshippers take turns at adoration, watching and praying. On the altar at least 20 candles are kept burning continually. This devotion appears to have developed from the Corpus Christi Processions. (See pages 386-387.)