The Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament which contains the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine.
As the Holy Eucharist or Blessed Sacrament contains our Blessed Saviour Himself, it must receive the highest adoration as to God Himself.
The presence of the Blessed Sacrament in church is known by the burning of the sanctuary-lamp before the altar on which the Blessed Sacrament is kept in the tabernacle. Sometimes the lamp may be on the altar itself, or at least close to it.
The Blessed Sacrament is kept in the tabernacle under the form of bread, in the sacred host.
Every Catholic passing in or out of a church, or before an altar, containing the Blessed Sacrament, must bend the knee, and at all times observe the profoundest respect and silence whilst the Blessed Eucharist is present.
When the Blessed Sacrament is inclosed in the tabernacle or is not in immediate sight, as at Holy Mass, the bending of the knee, or genuflecting, as it is commonly called, is done with the right knee only, bending it down to the floor. The genuflection with one knee is called a simple genuflection.
When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, however, to general view, as at Benediction, at the Exposition during the Forty Hours’ Devotion, or on other occasions, or when a person is passing before a Priest who is distributing Holy Communion, the genuflection must be made with both knees with an inclination of the head at the same time. People, however, who are themselves receiving Holy Communion, need not make more than a simple genuflection on coming to the Communion-rail, or on leaving it. The genuflection made with both knees is called a double or profound genuflection.
On entering a church where the Blessed Sacrament is kept, it is customary not to make the genuflection until one enters the pew or arrives at the place where one intends to remain.
On leaving the church the genuflection is made at the nearest point where one is leaving the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, as at the exit of the pew, or at the altar-rail, side chapel or other point of departure.
Do not make a genuflection immediately on entering or leaving the church inside of the door, which is superfluous and awkward, especially when there are crowds entering or leaving.
Do not genuflect on leaving the pew when you are going to the altar, but wait until you have come before the altar. In like manner do not genuflect before the pew when you have returned from the altar-rail, but make your genuflection at the latter place only.
In crossing from one side of the church to the other, whether in the front, middle or rear of the church, a genuflection must always be made toward the altar where the Blessed Sacrament is kept or exposed.
A genuflection must likewise be made to the altar of the Blessed Sacrament in passing it by the side, or in the rear of it, as in going from the body of the church into the vestry or sacristy.
In making a genuflection, one should be careful to make it properly, that is, to bend the knee all the way to the floor, and not to support oneself on a pew or other object. Awkwardness in this respect is excusable only in persons stiff with age or disease. In all others it is carelessness and irreverence.
When the priest carries the Blessed Sacrament from one place to another, in procession, or to the sick, everyone should fall on his knees and remain in that position until the priest has passed out of sight, or put the Blessed Sacrament back into its place of keeping.
On entering or leaving the church the greatest care must be taken not to make any noise, as by hard and rapid walking, slamming doors and the like. The church is the holiest place on earth, and not less holy than heaven itself, for God is really present in both places. “The place whereon thou standest is holy.” Jos. 5. 16.
When others enter the pew in which you are, move down, so as to compel no one to climb over you; or if you wish to remain at the entrance of the pew, rise, get out into the aisle, and step back, so as to let the new-comer pass in before you.
In passing before the church, men and boys should always raise their hats, in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, whether walking or riding. This is a distinct profession of faith, and non-Catholics always expect to see it in Catholics. Women should bow the head, bless themselves, or make some other act of reverence.
In passing in the immediate vicinity of the church, and especially if the door or windows should be open, no one should raise his voice so as to be heard in the church.
Standing and holding conversation in the parts adjoining the church, such as in the porch of the church and in the passages, is a great abuse of the sacred edifice of God.
