Our Lady of Succor, Exterminatrix of Heresies, Ora Pro Nobis!

From Journey to Therese.

PWHS LENTEN RECOLLECTION 2008

Topic: "SPE SALVI": In Hope is Our Salvation (From the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI)

Recollection Master: Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, PWHS Spiritual Director
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Venue: Worship Hall of the Spirit of Love Catholic Community (SOLCC)
Manila Seedling Bank Compound
EDSA corner Quezon Ave.
Registration Fee: Php 100 (for lunch, snack, and hand-outs)

For more information and to confirm attendance, please call 531-2157 / 531-0394 loc. 100 or text 0918-929-0603

Website: http://www.pwhs-mfi.org/

Directions to the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

For those who will assist at Sunday's Pontifical Low Mass, here is a rough instruction on directions on how to go to the Shrine of St. Therese via commute.

1. Go to MRT/LRT Station EDSA-TAFT
2. Take a jeep for Nichols (Northbound side of EDSA)
3. Ride Jeep until the jeep terminal at Nichols.
4. Look for Julies Bakeshop and take tricycle to St. Therese

Tridentine Mass in Bicol Update

Fr Abe Arganiosa, CRS, chaplain of Amaelianum College, Inc. (ACI), in Sorsogon City, offered his first private Tridentine Mass, the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, in obedience to the Vicar of Christ's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, yesterday, 27th of February, 2008 at the Chapel of St. Jerome Emiliani at the ACI.

Fr. Abe and Fr. Richard prepared the chapel while a group from Bicol University led Dr. Herbert of The Filipino Traditional Catholic, two brothers from the Oath Alliance of the Two Hearts (O.A.T.H) and two ladies assisted at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.



Visit The Filipino Traditional Catholic and The Splendor of the Church for the story and more photos.

Pontifical Low Mass: Bishop Angel Hobayan

His Excellency Bishop Angel Hobayan, bishop emeritus of Catarman, who recently celebrated a Pontifical Low Mass last Ash Wednesday, will celebrate another Pontifical Low Mass on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 1:30pm at the National Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, It is located in Manlunas St., Pasay City, Philippines in front of the main entrance of the NAIA Airport III.

Bishop Hobayan will be assisted by Fr. Elijah Pantorilla and Bro. Mark Bunag. The Mass will be sponsored by Tridentine Mass Philippines, Manila Chapter.

Map to the Shrine

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter: Bishop Escaler, SJ celebrates a Pontifical Low Mass

Story by Gerald Cenir
Photos by Armand La Morte

His Excellency, Bishop Federico Escaler SJ, bishop-prelate emeritus of Ipil, a true son of St. Ignatius Loyola, in obedience to Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum, celebrated a Pontifical Low Mass in commemoration of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22, 2008, at the Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy, Sikatuna Village Quezon City.

Bishop Escaler, who is also a regular celebrant of the ordinary form of the Mass at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in EPCI Bldg, Makati City, was assisted by Bro. Mark Bunag who served as his Master of Ceremonies.

Photo Highlights

Tridentine Mass in Bicol Update

The TLM Mass in Bicol has been moved to February 27, 2008 due to heavy rains. Dr. Herbert sent this report:

To our friends who may have read the announcement that we are going to have our TLM mass in Aemelianum College in Sorsogon City scheduled for February 22, 2008, please be informed that Fr. Abe decided to postpone the event to February 27, 2008 (Wednesday) due to the heavy torrential rains that has affected Bicol and Eastern Visayas. As you read from the news papers heavy rains brought by the La Nina phenomenon has hit Bicol and the Samar-Leyte Provinces. Some portions of the highway are not passable because of flooding. Sorsogon City is about 40 kilometers from Legazpi City. Please pray for our endeavor and remember us in your prayers. God bless us all.

Please include our friends in Bicol and Eastern Visayas in your prayers as they are experiencing heavy torrential rains and flooding.

PLDM Pontifical Low Mass by Bishop Escaler, SJ

A Pontifical Low Mass will be celebrated by his Excellency Bishop Federico Escaler, SJ, bishop-prelate emeritus of Ipil on Friday, February 22, 2008 8:00AM at the Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy. This is the third Pontifical Mass since the year started. Their Excellencies Bishop's Gregorio and Hobayan recently celebrated Pontifical Mass at the said church last January 28 and February 6 respectively.

TLM in Manila and Paranaque

Carlos Palad has just sent us the following information:

Thanks to Summorum Pontificum, we can now announce that a regular TLM is being celebrated once more every First Friday and on certain feast days (as announced), in the following venue in the City of Manila:

The Marian Center
1170 R. Hidalgo Street, Manila
Tel. Nos: 632+704-9712
632+309-3575

This center features a small library full of pre-Vatican II books on the liturgy, Catholic doctrine and morals, etc. The chapel of the center is very small -- it can fit about 15-20 people, all in all -- but the altar is placed ad orientem. This tiny center is located on the road between two of the great shrines of central Manila: the Basilica of the Nazarene (or Quiapo Basilica) and San Sebastian Church, a Gothic-style structure made entirely of Belgian steel. The center itself is practically under the shadow of the latter shrine.

(...)

The celebrant is Msgr. Melencio De Vera, former rector of Manila Cathedral.Masses are normally held at 1:00 PM, but the time varies. It would be best to call ahead for the

Fr. Elijah Pantorilla OFMConv. has begun to celebrate daily TLM in the houses of various supporters in Paranaque, a suffragan of Manila. Please help us find a proper venue, church or a chapel, within the Paranaque and Pasay area where he can celebrate Mass.

Tridentine Mass in Bicol Update: An Invitation

Dr. Herbert of the Filipino Traditional Catholic has sent me this through email:

We would like to extend to our brothers and sisters in Bicol the invitation to join us in the first ever Traditional Latin Mass to be celebrated here in Bicol. Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS will celebrate the Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Private Mass with the participation of lay faithful) on February 22, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at Aemelianum College Inc. in Sorsogon City. Please email us if you are interested or just be there on said time and date. This is a pioneering effort. Please don't expect that everything will be perfect or complete, as time goes on I think we will be able to complete the paraphernalia. The effort will stick to the essentials and God willing He will supply the rest in the future.

Cardinals Hoping for a 5th Marian Dogma

Five cardinals (including our very own, Cardinal Vidal) have sent a letter inviting prelates worldwide to join them in petitioning Benedict XVI to declare a fifth Marian dogma they said would "proclaim the full Christian truth about Mary."

Read the full text at ZENIT.

Harrison Plaza "Cuaresma Exhibit" Ad Orientem Mass

An ad orientem Mass according to the ordinary form was celebrated by Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo last Saturday night at the Cuaresma Exhibit in Harrison Plaza annex building. Fr. Jojo wore the traditional vestments we often see in Tridentine Masses like the laced alb, cincture, stole and roman chasuble (fiddleback). The Mass was unique and memorable for everyone who assisted as it was in the presence of the relics of the True Cross and relics of the Holy Apostles, with the priest and the congregation oriented to the liturgical east facing these sacred relics. The presence of these sacred relics of the cross and the images of the different scenes from the passion of our Lord was a fitting reminder for everyone who assisted that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is indeed making present the great sacrifice of our Lord at Calvary. The Mass was in English while the central part, from the Eucharist Prayer 1 onwards, were in Latin, filled the atmosphere with a depth of mystery and sacredness.

Some photographs taken during the Holy Mass

The Roman Catholic Community of Jaleville Paranaque

An apologist from the Roman Catholic Community of Jaleville, a subdivision in Paranaque City, under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Cathedral Parish of St. Andrew of the Diocese of Paranaque, has sent us a photograph of their Christmas Eve Mass with altar arrangement following the spirit of Pope Benedict XVI's altar arrangements.

A 2003 letter of Cardinal Ratzinger re: TLM

English translation from the Cafeteria of a 2003 letter of then Cardinal Ratzinger.

To Dr. Heinz-Lothar Barth, 23 June 2003

Dear Dr. Barth !
My heartfelt thanks for your letter of April 6, which I didn't have time to answer until now. You're asking me to lobby for a wider permission of the old Roman Rite. As you well know, I am very open to such requests, as my efforts towards this end is widely known by now.

Whether the Holy See will permit the old Rite "once more worldwide and without limitations" - as you desire and have heard rumors to that effect - I cannot simply answer, let alone confirm. The dislike for the traditional liturgy, which is called, with contempt, "pre-conciliar" is still very strong among Catholics who've been drilled to reject it for years. Additionally, there would be strong resistance on the part of many bishops.

The situation is different if we consider a limited re-admission - the demand for the old liturgy is limited as well. I know that its value does of course not depend on the demand, but the question about the number of interested priests and laypeople plays some role. Furthermore, such a measure can only - even today - be taken step-by-step, some 30 years after the introduction of the liturgy reform of Pope Paul VI. Another hurried effort would certainly not be beneficial.

I think, however, that, in the long run, the Roman Church must once more have one Roman Rite; the existence of two official rites is difficult to "administrate" for bishops and priests. The Roman Rite of the future should be a single rite, in Latin or in the vernacular, but standing wholly in the legacy of the traditional Rite. It could incorporate some new elements that have proven successful, such as new feast days, some new prefaces in the Mass, an expanded lectionary - more selection than before (the reform), but not too much; an "oratio fidelium", ie a fixed litany of intercessions, following the Oremus before the Offertory where it used to have its place.

Dear Dr. Barth, if you work for the cause of the liturgy in this manner, you will certainly not stand alone, and you prepare the "public opinion" in the Church in favor of an expanded use of prior Missals. One needs to be cautious, however, so as to not spark expectations that are too high among the faithful who feel close to tradition.

I shall use this opportunity to thank you for your highly esteemed efforts for the liturgy of the Roman Church, in your books and lectures, although I'd like a bit more love and understanding here and there for the teaching authority of the Pope and bishops. I hope that the seeds you're sowing will germinate and bring much fruit for the renewed life of the Church, whose "source and summit", whose very heart indeed is and must remain the liturgy.

I gladly bestow the requested blessing and remain yours with kind regards

Your
Joseph Kardinal Ratzinger

Spirituality of the Tridentine Mass

A nice resource about the spirituality of the Tridentine Mass with materials written by Dom Prosper Gueranger, Cardinal Alfons Stickler, Dietrich Von Hildebrand, and many more.

Sancta Missa: Spirituality of the Tridentine Mass

Pope Benedict XVI and the Roman Chasuble

Pope Benedict XVI continues to educate us with regards to the Liturgy. Yesterday, marked return of the roman chasuble (Borromeo style) in the papal liturgy, worn by the Vicar of Christ himself with the cardinal deacons. This is the continuation of the reform of the reform as envisioned by our Holy Father. All the liturgists of the Roman Rite (TIP: the Philippine Church belongs to the Roman Rite) should study, learn and appreciate the education Pope Benedict XVI is giving us with regards to the liturgy.


References:
The New Liturgical Movement
What Does the Prayer Really Say
Rorate Caeli

Ash Wednesday Pontifical Low Mass with Bishop Angel Hobayan

Story by Gerald
Photos by Armand La Morte

Bishop Angel Hobayan, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Catarman, celebrated a Pontifical Low Mass with Father Michell Joe Zerrudo serving has his first chaplain at the Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City in observance of Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten observance for all Catholics.

The Mass was solemnly assisted by faithful from both the TLM community and parish community of the said church.


Before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass began, the good bishop wearing his zucchetto and vested in an alb, stole and purple cope stood at the epistle side of the altar where the vessels containing the ashes are to be blessed. After blessing the ashes, he received the ashes on his own head and proceeds to place them, in the form of a cross, on the foreheads of Father Zerrudo and the rest the faithful present with these words from Genesis 3:19 Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris (Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return).


After all has received the ashes, the bishop said a short prayer then, wearing a roman chasuble, proceeds to begin the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with Father Zerrudo as his first chaplain.

After the Holy Mass, the good bishop was greeted by the faithful with much gratitude, enthusiasm, love and respect.

In a little over a weeks time, this is the second Pontifical Low Mass offered within the Diocese of Cubao after Pope Benedict XVI promulgated his Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum given motu proprio.

Learning the Tridentine Mass

Thanks to Kuya Dennis (Maturan) of Traditional Roman Catholic Philippines for sending this through email.

Original Post can be found at Unity Publishing.

Learning the Tridentine Mass

by Richard Salbato

5-16-2007

In order to prepare my own family for the return of the Tridentine Mass, I sat down with my children and grandchildren and explained to them what to expect and how to attend the old Mass. Then we went to their first Tridentine Mass and although it was almost a two hour drive each way, all my grandchildren were so impressed that they want to make the trip every week from now on.

They were worried about not being able to speak or read Latin and not knowing what to do. However, with a little explanation ahead of time, they were quite comfortable and impressed with the difference. It is because of this very small preparation I gave them and because of some emails I have had from priests that made me see a need for this Newsletter. At least 11 priests have written to me after my newsletter, “Get Ready for the Tridentine Mass”.

http://www.unitypublishing.com/liturgy/TridentineInWeek.htm

They wanted information on what to do to prepare for the Tridentine and how to learn to offer it. None of these priests ever learned Latin. I am going to show here that the people do not need to understand Latin at all and the priest only needs to be able to read it.
Preparing Your Church

Because of some of the architectural changes made to churches, there might be some physical changes to the church that will have to be made in order to offer the Tridentine Mass.

1. The most important thing is that the priest must face the altar (the back wall) so he must be able to stand in the front of the altar. In many cases the way the altar has been altered he cannot do this now because the steps are too close for the priest to stand in front. This altar must be moved back at least far enough for the priest to stand in front. Since the Novus Ordo will probably also be offered in the same church, there should be room for the priest in the front and the back. However, in the Novus Ordo you do not have to face the people, so if the altar were moved to against the back wall (where it should be) it would not be a problem.


2. The altar rail should be replaced so that people can receive communion kneeling. Even for the Novus Ordo, I cannot think of any logical or religious reason for removing it in the first place.
   


3. Vestments, altar clothes, candles, a crucifix, patents, etc. are strictly outlined in the Rubrics, so a priest should check on these things before offering the Mass.


4. The Tridentine Mass is more visual than verbal, so all that can be done to decorate the altar should be done: candles, statues, flowers, etc. St. Francis believed in poverty but he never spared the gold for the altar.


5. If your church now allows the choir to be on the altar, it must be removed and completely out of sight, either in the back of the church, up in the choir loft, or in a side altar. No one but the priest and altar boys should be on the altar.


6. If possible you should move the Pulpit off the altar, so that even the readers do not go on the altar. I prefer that this be raised up high so that the priest can see into the eyes of everyone as he talks.


7. A patent needs to be held by the altar-boy when passing out communion, so if the church does not have patents it needs to buy them.


8. Although not required, an altar rail cloth should hang from the back side of the altar rail. Just before communion this cloth is flipped over the altar rail and when people come up for communion they put their hands under the cloth. This is added protection in case a host or peace of host drops past the patent.


9. Start recruiting more altar-boys (no altar girls) because it is traditional to have four or more altar-boys at each Mass. This will also increase vocations to the priesthood because this is where God touches boys with this grace. If your altar is big enough, there is nothing wrong with having 10 or 12 altar-boys.


10. Having the Tabernacle on the altar would be a great blessing because you will now be facing the altar, and in truth, you should face the altar even in the Novus Ordo.

What the priest needs to learn
I have at the end of this document the Latin and English of the Tridentine Mass. A priest only needs to have to be able to read the Latin of the Mass as he can see the English translation and knows what he is saying. In time he will know the meaning as he says the words over and over. It would be better to learn Latin but at first it is not necessary.

1. Be able to (at least) read Latin


2. Study the Rubrics of the Tridentine Mass


3. Watch videos of the Tridentine (on the internet or DVDs available – see below) to see movements and postures


4. Do not shout prayers like you do in the Novus Ordo, but speak to God. It does not matter if the people hear you. Only the altar-boys have to hear the words.


5. After washing you hands in holy water, hold your forefinger and thumb together, not touching anything with them except the host and chalice. Turn the pages of the Sacramentary with your small fingers.


6. Do not pass out communion in the hand or with someone standing. Always wait for the altar-boy to have the patent under the chin of the communicant.


7. After communion, sit down in private prayer for at least 5 minutes. Only soft music is appropriate at this time.


8. Come in and out of the church from the vestibule and do not great the people after Mass. If you have a separate building for coffee or breakfast, you can meet the people there.


9. Train altar-boys to keep their hands folded like Our Lady of Fatima and to bow down low at each elevation of the Body and Blood of Christ. The people will have the same reverence as the altar boys.


10. Never pass out the Blood of Christ except in weddings to the bride and groom. The bread is the Body and Blood of Christ. So what is the logic in it?


11. Never, ever use extraordinary ministers (so-called Eucharistic Ministers). See Papal teaching –
    http://www.unitypublishing.com/liturgy/VaticanMass2004.htm


12. Except for personal friends, do not get too personal with the parish because it makes it harder for them to go to confession with you. You are in Persona Christi and should make sure there is respect for you and your hands.


13. Pick a choir by ability to sing and not because someone thinks they can sing. Have them learn to sing Gregorian Chants in Latin and preferably without microphones. Never use twangy instruments or music with any kind of beat. Music with a beat alters minds and does not calm the soul. None of the old church music has a beat.

What the people need to know
The first thing people need to know about the Tridentine Mass is that it’s emphasis is silent prayer and quiet reflection. This means that from the moment you walk into the church, you change all your actions from social to prayerful.

Movements should be reverent and slow. Absolutely no talking, not even a “Hi!” Treat the Mass is if you were at the foot of the Crucifixion of Christ, silently watching Him offer is sacrifice for your sins, because that is what the Mass is, even the Novus Ordo Mass. Treat the Tabernacle is if you were being presented face to face with the Triune God in Heaven for the first time, because that is who is in that Tabernacle. Christ said to Saint Gertrude: “One idle word in church is worth a hundred years in Purgatory.” Of course, “idle” means unnecessary but what words are necessary?

1. Dress as if you have died and were about to see God face to face in Heaven.


2. Men should never go to Mass in shorts or short sleeve shirts.


3. Women should dress modestly and feminine (not like men)


4. Women should use veils as is traditional but not mandatory. See “Woman, God’s Last Creation” for the reason.
   http://www.unitypublishing.com/apr1_99.html


5. As for standing or kneeling during Mass, just follow the other people or the altar-boys.


6. Music should be sung like a whisper. The choir is taught to sing to God and not to the people. Unless the church is very large, even speakers are not used because the music should sound like Heavenly background to prayer and not something that beats up the ears and brain, preventing prayer. If there is a choir there is no reason to sing along with them. They should be well trained and any singing along should be done very quietly so as not to interrupt the trained singers.


7. Follow along with the mass in the Missal that is placed in the pews (English on one side and Latin on the other). If the church has not purchased the missals yet or cannot afford them, you can buy them on the internet. See below!


8. After reading the words of the Tridentine (see below) you will see that most of the Mass is the priest praying to God and only when he turns and faces the people does he speak to the people. This is the high priest (Christ) praying to the Father for us. It is Christ offering His sacrifice for us, and we are just there watching and thanking God.


9. Remember that people are there to pray, so do not fidget with your rosary or make sounds or movements that would distract others from prayer. Just use common Church etiquette, which means making others comfortable around you.


10. When going to communion stay in line and go to the next space at the altar rail and kneel down and wait for the priest to come to you. If there is a communion cloth over the altar rail, but your hands under it. The priest will say, “May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto everlasting life.” You will receive communion on the tongue, bow your head a moment and get up and go back to your pew. Remain kneeling until the priest starts the final prayers of the Mass.


11. After Mass leave the church without talking because a great many people will remain inside praying and you do not want to interrupt God. After some distance from the front door, it is time to socialize and share your faith with others. It would be good if the church has a dinning hall with coffee and donuts because Catholics should get to know each other but not in church. In the past everything was done at the church and boys and girls met there, husbands and wives met for the first time at church. Friends were made there. Faith was shared and taught at the church. Socialization builds a parish but prayer builds faith.


12. If you want to teach the parishioners an easy way to share the faith with non-Catholics or fallen away Catholics, write to me and I will show you how to do it even if you do not know your faith well or think that you cannot talk. Future Newsletter!

Best Reference source
http://www.sanctamissa.org
http://www.sanctamissa.org:80/EN/rubrics/
IPSO, Information Piety Society of Orthodoxy Sign up for free Newsletter.
Comparison of Tridentine and Novus Ordo
Latin-English Translation of Tridentine
Location of Tridentine Masses

Tridentine Web Sites:
The Vatican benedictxvi@vatican.va
The Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI
Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri
PRIESTLY FRATERNITY OF SAINT PETER
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr's Website

Confraternity of Catholic Clergy
Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei
Una Voce America

Understanding the Mass

Father Michell Joe Zerrudo Candelaria Mass

Photo by Gerald

Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII, in solemnity of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Before the Holy Mass, Fr. Zerrudo blessed the candles, those brought by the community and those to be used for the Mass. The candles that were to be used for Holy Mass were later distributed to the faithful and a short procession was held.

Fr. Zerrudo before ending his sermon made emphasis on the example of our Blessed Virgin on how united she was with the Sacrifice of our Lord on the Cross"...And thy own soul a sword shall pierce," and that our active participation at Holy Mass is to unite our hearts with our Lord's suffering as that great sacrifice is made present for us in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Monsignor De Vera Candelaria Mass

Photo by Dennis Raymond Maturan

Yesterday, February 2, 2008, Monsignor Melencio De Vera offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII, in solemnity of the Purification of Blessed Virgin Mary at a private chapel of the Marian Library and Information Center at R. Hidalgo St, Quiapo Manila, right across San Sebastian Church.


Full story at Traditional Roman Catholic Philippines.

From the Sacramentary:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire
1/26/2008 - 10:59 AM PST

CHICAGO, IL (JANUARY 26, 2008) - Everything Needed to Understand and Appreciate the Traditional Latin Mass. Fr. George Moorman. Extremely informative, but very easy to read!

The Latin Mass Explained tells the Catholic faithful what happens, prayer by prayer, in the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missale Romanum).

Why does the Church use Latin exclusively in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite? What is the sacred silence of the Mass? Why does the altar boy ring the bells? What vestments does the priest wear and why?

Pope Benedict XVI’s motu proprio opening the door to celebration of the Latin Mass.

We are happy to offer The Latin Mass Explained at the very low price of $15.00 (USD), plus shipping and handling charges.

The Latin Mass Explained
Tells the Catholic faithful what happens, prayer by prayer, in the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Missale Romanum)
Rev. George Moorman
185 pages, paperback

Click here to order
Contact: Canons Regular of St. John Cantius
Canons Regular of St. John Cantius website
Rev. Scott Haynes - webmaster, 312-243 7373

Vatican Official: Time to reevaluate Communion in the hand

CNS Story about Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith on communion in the hand. Emphasis mine.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said he thinks it is time for the Catholic Church to reconsider its decision to allow the faithful to receive Communion in the hand.

Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, the Vatican official, made the suggestion in the preface to a book about the Eucharist by Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan.

Bishop Schneider's book, "Dominus Est: Reflections of a Bishop from Central Asia on Holy Communion," was published in Italian in late January by the Vatican Publishing House, though some of it had been released earlier in the Vatican newspaper.

In the newly released preface to the book, Archbishop Ranjith wrote, "The Eucharist, bread transubstantiated into the body of Christ and wine into the blood of Christ -- God in our midst -- must be received with awe and an attitude of humble adoration."

The archbishop said the Second Vatican Council never authorized the practice of Catholics receiving Communion in the hand, a practice that was "introduced abusively and hurriedly in some spheres" and only later authorized by the Vatican.

The liturgists, theologians and pastors who encouraged the change said it better reflected the ancient practice of the church and the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper, he said.

"It is true that if one can receive on the tongue, one also can receive in the hand because this organ of the body has equal dignity," he said.

However, Archbishop Ranjith said, the introduction of the practice of receiving Communion in the hand coincides with the beginning of "a gradual and growing weakening of the attitude of reverence toward the sacred eucharistic species."

"I think the time has come to evaluate these practices and to review them and, if necessary, to abandon the current practice," Archbishop Ranjith said.

"Now more than ever, it is necessary to help the faithful renew a lively faith in the real presence of Christ in the eucharistic species with the aim of reinforcing the very life of the church and defending it in the midst of dangerous distortions of the faith," the archbishop wrote.

The bulk of Bishop Schneider's book was published in early January in the Vatican
newspaper; he said that if a Catholic truly believes in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, he or she should kneel in adoration and reverence when receiving Communion.

The article in L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, appeared under the headline, "Like a nursing child in the arms of the one who nourishes him" and included the bishop's opinion that just as a baby opens his mouth to receive nourishment from his mother, so should Catholics open their mouths to receive nourishment from Jesus.