To the editor:
Your April Catholic Courier was the most informative and interesting issue I have read to date. Highlighting the stories was the “Papal text reflects on the Eucharist.” This story explained changes Pope Benedict XVI would like practiced within the Catholic Church and at the sacrament of the Eucharist. The document he signed on March 13 is a 131-page apostolic exhortation Sacrament Caritas (“The Sacrament of Charity”). Some of the excerpts from the text are that he encouraged wider knowledge and use of the Mass prayers in Latin and of the Gregorian chant. He encouraged Bishops’ conferences, in collaboration with the Vatican, to examine their practices for the order and timing of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. He expressed concern for the number of Catholics unable to receive Communion because of irregular marital situations. He expressed a change for when the sign of peace should be given at Mass. The pope asked Catholics to pay more attention to how their postures and gestures at Mass communicate their faith in the Eucharist, particularly by “kneeling during central moments of the Eucharistic prayer.” He expressed respect for human life, its defense from contraception to natural death, the family built upon marriage between a man and woman, etc. So much more is contained in Pope Benedict XVI’s powerful text which can be ordered in both English and Spanish from the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops for $6.95 per copy by calling (800) 235-8722. There is also a website made available.
Joseph P. Paris
Old Pine Lane
Greece
