If
a piece of Sacred Host is found on the floor or altar, what should be done
about it? Should it be picked up?
It is always best in these cases to get a priest or deacon involved as soon as possible. Certainly it should be picked up and the place where it is found should be checked for any fragments, which, if found, should also be picked up. If further purification of the spot is needed, let a priest decide and do it. The particle should be treated with the utmost respect and given to a priest to properly dispose of. Unless one is certain that the particle found is from a consecrated Host, however, no adoration should be given to it. It is wrong to adore any doubtful or invalid Eucharist.
Reprinted from May 21, 1999
Which side of an altar should the Papal flag be on?
It is a fine custom in Catholic churches in the United States to display both the national flag and the Papal flag. The flag arrangement in these cases is dictated by national custom and laws. In the United States the national flag, when standing on a pole, is to be placed to the right of a speaker. Therefore, it is usual in our churches to place the flag somewhere to the right of the priest (from where the priest would usually preach) and then put the Papal flag in the opposite place in the church. In this case the U.S. flag would appear to the left of the people in the pews. It is incorrect to have unequal poles (either in church or out side) for American and Papal flags. The American flag should not be flown in the U.S.A. any lower than any other flag, nor should the pope's flag be flown beneath or lower than any other.
Reprinted from March 26, 1999
Is it all right to genuflect in church on one's left knee and to bless oneself
with the left hand?
Normally, genuflection is to be the bending of the right knee in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with the right knee touching the heel of the left foot. (Sometimes in the liturgy the genuflection is called for in front of some people or sacred objects as a sign of profound respect, but as adoration it can be directed only to God). If a person is handicapped or crippled, he is not required to genuflect. However, sometimes such people are capable of genuflecting only on their left knee and choose to do so. We should not judge them rashly. Likewise, the sign of the cross is always to be done with the right hand and arm. However, handicapped people sometimes use their left hand and arm and are permitted to do so.
Reprinted from April 30, 1999
If a child in CCD class does not go to Mass on Sundays because
his parents will not take him, may he still receive Holy Communion when there
is a CCD Mass?
Catholics are obliged under serious sin attend Mass on every Sunday (or Saturday evening) and on every holy day of obligation. To commit a mortal sin three things are necessary: The matter must be serious or perceived to be serious. There must be full deliberation about the matter and there must be complete freedom of the will in the commission or omission. To receive Holy Communion with an unforgiven mortal sin on one's soul is wicked act, an additional mortal sin of sacrilege. Usually, the moral law begins to bind when a person reaches the "age of reason," which is normally around 7 years of age. No one is bound to the impossible. If a minor child cannot attend Mass when obliged be cause impeded by his parents' action or lack of action, the child is excused from the obligation. Of course, the parents, if they are Catholic, commit additional grave sins of scandal and bad example, and bear the responsibility not only for their own missing Mass but also for their children's doing so. If the parents are just lazy, but do not mind if the children go to Mass without them and distance or other serious obstacles do not intervene, the CCD child should be encouraged to attend Mass on his own. There may be other problems and circumstances involved in such cases, how ever, so it Is always better to discuss these matters with your parish priest.
Reprinted from April 30, 1999
My children like to "play Mass" and use candy
for "play Holy Communion." Should I allow them to do this, even
if they use the words of consecration in their play?
If your children are small, I see no harm in this. It may provide you with a few good "catechetical moments" and many fine opportunities to explain the Mass and other points of our religion to them. Keep your eye on them. Make sure that they distinguish play and "make-believe" from reality. Don't let them misunderstand what Holy Communion really is. Maybe there could be some "vocation prospects" among them.
Reprinted from April 9, 1999
Why don't Catholics receive from the chalice at Mass?
Catholic laity in the Eastern Rites of the Church always receive Holy Communion under both species whenever they attend Mass. Catholic laity in the Latin Rite may receive Holy Communion under both species at certain specified times and occasions, sometimes determined by Universal Church law and sometimes by the local bishop. The Second Vatican Council speaks about "a fuller sign" of the sacrament when receiving under both species. However, we do not receive "any less" of Jesus when we receive under only one species, for we receive the whole risen Christ, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity under one species as under both. Holy Communion for the laity fell into some disuse because of various reasons, such as large numbers of communicants, dangers of spreading illness, danger of desecration, with drops of the Precious Blood falling on the floor, the difficulty in some areas of obtaining sufficient amounts of wine, etc. It might be well to remember, given your question, that priests are "Catholics" and receive under both species at every Mass.
Reprinted from January 8, 1999