Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: michaela benedicta on December 13, 2012, 10:58:06 AM
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Hello Everyone!
I don't know if this has been addressed before, but has anyone had the unfortunate circuмstance of being pressured by an "Extraordinary Minister" for Holy Communion while you were admitted to the hospital?
I usually get visited by a layperson, NOT a priest, and when I inform them (nicely, of course) that I only take Holy Communion from a priest, and counsel as well, there are usually some pretty tough reactions.
I was just wondering if anyone out there has had any similar experiences. If so, how did you handle it?
Have a great day! :pray:
michaela +
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Hello Everyone!
I don't know if this has been addressed before, but has anyone had the unfortunate circuмstance of being pressured by an "Extraordinary Minister" for Holy Communion while you were admitted to the hospital?
I usually get visited by a layperson, NOT a priest, and when I inform them (nicely, of course) that I only take Holy Communion from a priest, and counsel as well, there are usually some pretty tough reactions.
I was just wondering if anyone out there has had any similar experiences. If so, how did you handle it?
Have a great day! :pray:
michaela +
After this part,
I inform them (nicely, of course) that I only take Holy Communion from a priest...
I add this...
and I attend the traditional Latin mass exclusively.
If you don't attend TLM, then just tell them you're accustom to receiving Holy Communion from a priest and then tell them why. Once I start telling them why, they usually make a quick exit. It is rather sad that they don't want to listen to the Truth.
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uh boy, was I ever brainwashed in that cult.
I grew up in an area that did not have a TLM for hundreds of miles. No one at the n.o. churches ever spoke of it, so I was completely oblivious. I yearned for the holy at Mass and knew a lot was missing, but I thought it was ME.
So I threw myself into research and private devotions (only post V2 info available at the parish bookstores and libraries) - that, and volunteering at the parish, thinking if I was closer to helping the priests, etc., it would rub off or something, and the yearning would stop.
So, at a very young age I began "lectoring" and other assistance... after a few years, I was really pressured to join the eucharistic minister gang, to visit people at home and in the hospital.
I resisted. I didn't know why I didn't want to obey, but I didn't (thank you Holy Ghost). After enough pressure - again, thinking it was ME and I was being disobedient - I went to their classes, even bought a pyx. The Holy Ghost finally triumphed over my confounded state and I backed out, and after that never went to a E.M. for Holy Communion at Mass. It was a good 10 years later that I found the TLM. Surprise! A real Mass and sacraments and all the holiness I was yearning for!
Through those good priests and ardent study I discovered all the travesties of the new rite. I was wracked with guilt, but when I described the confection of the host to my priest, he alleviated my conscience - one of the parishioners at that n.o. parish baked the hosts herself and used yeast and sweetened the hosts w/ brown sugar!
You can't make this stuff up.
Michaela and Cheryl, for what it's worth, I have a "docuмent" prepared (you can keep copies at home, car and wallet perhaps?) that I can give to a visiting E.M. at home or hospital, specifying that I am a traditional Catholic, and with a short explanation why I only accept sacraments/Holy Communion from a priest, and a traditional priest at that.
I have a few quotes too, i.e., from St. Thomas:
"Secondly, because the priest is the appointed intermediary between God and the people, hence as it belongs to him to offer the people's gifts to God, so it belongs to him to deliver the consecrated gifts to the people. Thirdly, because out of reverence towards this sacrament [the Blessed Sacrament], nothing touches it but what is consecrated, hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest's hands, for touching this sacrament. Hence it is not lawful for anyone to touch it, except from necessity, for instance if it were to fall upon the ground, or else in some other case of urgency" (SummaTheologica, III, Q. 82, Art. 13).
and have a reference Pope Pius XII, Mediator Dei.
It sounds like it may be long and convoluted, but not - just short and sweet. I do not want to get into an argument at a time like that, so I figure handing them some instruction is more efficient all the way around.
Fortunately, wherever we've moved, we've arranged to live close to a TLM parish and the priest is on speed dial for just this type of situation, but I like to be prepared.
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What an awkward situation! Pray hard to the Archangels for only good meeting with people.
My heart goes out to you. It's really hard to stay strong in such a vulnerable situation, but if you do, the merits for defending Our Lord's dignity and the purpose of the holy priesthood could be great.
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Yep, agreed, when I was still going through RCIA and going to the Vatican II Masses (don't ask) I used to "look up" to the Eucharistic Ministers, the altar girls, the lectors, etc. although there was something inside of me telling me not to "look up" to these people. Thank goodness I got out of that literal "devil's house" and came to Tradition where I can go to a real Mass and receive the Eucharist and the readings of the day from the priest himself. A Vatican II Mass looks like it was made for weak Catholics who are uncertain about their Faith, while the Traditional Latin Mass looks like it is made for God's servants and a little glimpse of Heaven itself.
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When we still attended N.O. one day a fellow, who acted as E.M., came to our house to fix something on our computer. He's a person who loves to chatter and about 1 hr into the visit he suddenly remembered he had the host in his pocket, and said he'd better go. It still took him another 10 minutes to leave. Even then I was too dumbfounded to say much but how could one possibly believe it to be The Real Presence and act in such an indifferent manner?
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:rahrah:
I knew that I could count on the people here at CathInfo!
Thank you so much for your responses so far and your stories...maybe one day we could have a thread (if there is not one already) about how we all came to Tradition. We are so fortunate, it is really up to us to "disseminate knowledge without envy" while we are in the world!
It really is a vulnerable situation, if you have ever had any kind of lengthy stay in the hospital, you know the challenges that have to be faced.
One thing that I like to do is bring small images of Our Lord and Our Mommy Mary, and put them where I can see them. Usually people are really nice and open up about their faith, be it Catholic or otherwise. It is also a good idea to keep extra Rosaries on hand as gifts.
Sometimes when I am approached by a minister, and I tell them my preference l, they ask if I am in Opus Dei. :popcorn:
One time a priest actually told me that he feared for my soul, because I would not let a minister bring me My Jesus. Thank goodness my Guardian Angel was with me, and the Holy Ghost helped, because it was then a 30 minute fencing match with me holding my position and the poor priest trying to dissuade me! :shocked:
Thank you again for your posts... I am about to go in for surgery again next week, and it is so wonderful to find like-minded people out there! One thing about being Traditional nowadays is that you feel kind of isolated, especially if you are not near a Traditional parish.
I send you all hugs, I am so glad that I "took the plunge" and joined this forum. :dancing:
It has lifted my spirits greatly!
Love,
michaela +
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hugs back to you.... and remember, when you are obliged to speak to em's, you speak for all of us..... ' be not afraid '.....
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surgery "again" next week? Sounds like you need some intercession, my friend. I notice all on the forum rally well for that.
I send you all hugs, I am so glad that I "took the plunge" and joined this forum.
You have a very disarming, innocent style of writing and I enjoy reading your comments, so I'm happy you joined also. He brings us all together, to sustain each other.
Keep us "posted" (get it?!) on your progress, friend.
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How about, "I'm Catholic. I don't need an extraterrestrial minister"?
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Know this: whether they be a rabbi, or protestant,or New Order, they are being told to take special classes to do any ritual. For example: If you the catholic are admitted in a hospital, whoever is on duty, let's say a rabbi, he is to come to you and be able to give you catholic blessings, rosary,you name it, they are supposed to do all. So, if a jew is admitted and a catholic minister is on duty, he puts on the cap and is to perform any Jєωιѕн service. I read this in a newspaper for the area of Phoenix and Sun City, 2 years ago.
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:roll-laugh1:
Ha ha! Good one, Diego! I will keep that one in my arsenal, perhaps when my pain meds are not working.. ( just kidding!)
Thank you all so much! Please pray that I can do all that My Jesus wants me to do, that is all that I can ask for. Abandonment to Divine Providence! That book will change your life, I tell ya! :reading:
Happy and Holy Advent to you all, I feel extra blessed to get a "sneak peek" and meet you, my brothers and sisters this side of Home!
God Bless,
michaela +
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Thank you, Songbird!
Hey, if it is possible to transfer it to you, would you like my avatar? It really matches you!
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How about ?
(http://web-images.chacha.com/images/signs-your-date-is-an-axe-murderer2021742449-jun-28-2012-600x400.jpg)
Please leave....
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:roll-laugh2:
Now if only I could make that face.... :roll-laugh1:
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You don't need to give an explanation.. They are in your hospital room without being invited. If you feel up to explanation going ahead but you can simply ask them to leave.
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...in the past, we've just said "no thank you", and they went on their merry way...no problems.
Pete :dancing-banana:
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"Coincidental" to another thread on this fine priest, the preface or first chapter (I forget) of Our Saviour and His Love for Us / Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, discusses the fact that there are no coincidences. Every single solitary person who comes into our sphere each day is purposefully willed by God, and it is our duty to convert them, most likely by our demeanor: "Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words."
Reading that book completely changed my perspective on so called chance encounters, or even something as commonplace as sharing a subway or bus or sidewalk with strangers. The Holy Ghost will use His humble servants to plant seeds. An EM visit is a great opportunity!
My approach is to hand them a docuмent with some info and references, smile and ask them to pray for me, as I will for them. I've been doing the same for all Jehovah's Witnesses/7th Day Adventists (handing them pre-printed info of their teachings vs Catholic) when they come to my door, so why not a baptized Catholic?
Perhaps because I was one of them thar EM's not so long ago I go to too much effort? This is where a dunce cap smiley would work well....
Kill them with kindness, it will drive them crazy! a dancing banana backatcha Pete :dancing-banana: