How To Receive The Eucharist, Without It Being Habitual

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

I've been noticing recently how every time I go to mass, I receive the Eucharist habitually instead of fully in spirit, if that makes sense.

 

It's not just in the Eucharist. I've also noticed how every time I go to mass it seems like everything from the prayers, to the liturgy of the word and Eucharist are performed out of habit for me. I've tried to pray the mass instead of going through the motions, but I don't know how to not simply "attend" mass. I want to fully be there in mind, body, and spirit ya know? How can I do that? What are ways that help from keeping the mass being habitual??

[BarbTherese]

Mention this to Father in Confession (it's not necessarily seriously sinful at all, but Father could give you advice.  It may not be sinful on any level, since you are trying hard to break a habit - and finding it very difficult).  The ideal, absolute ideal, would be to seek spiritual direction - or make an appointment to have a heart to heart with Father in person - at an appointment he could give you more time.

 

My tuppence :).......Habits develop over time and often start off small without realizing the big problem that lay ahead in the future - and this initial small inattention/habit gathers ground or strength as time passes - until suddenly one realizes one has developed a really bad habit and finding it very difficult to break that habit.  Just as the habit took time to develop it's ground or strength, so very often it is going to take time to break the habit and develop a good habit.  It all takes time, perseverance even in the face of failure, patience and absolute determination.

Perseverance in the face of failure means that if I fail in some good resolution, I don't kick myself all over the place and make myself feel miserable about myself and my chances for success (patience with myself and my resolution journey), rather I repent of my failure, and then simply start out once again - and again and again and again if necessary, i.e chin out and up, dogged perseverance.  And it goes without saying for sure that prayer for success and for perseverance with patience until I have achieved my resolution is prime, absolutely prime.  Nothing achieved without it.

 

Patient perseverance also means that I am prepared to do whatever it might take for however long it might take until my goal is reached.

 

St Rita of Cascia and also St Jude are our two patron saints of difficult causes, there may be other patrons as well.  But I find Sts Jude and Rita powerful intercessors when the cause is difficult, and sometimes it seems to me near on impossible causes.

 

Best of all prayerfully seek spiritual direction or a talk with Father.

Edited March 15, 2013 by BarbaraTherese

[BarbTherese]

With every success be it most minute or very great, give thanks to The Lord - just as with every failure of any kind, ask His Help and the prayers of His mother, foster father and our saints.

Jesus in His time on earth was quite moved and upset when of the ten lepers He cured, only one returned to thank Him.

Luke Ch17 "[12] And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off; [13] And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us. [14] Whom when he saw, he said: Go, shew yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. [15] And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God.

[16] And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan. [17] And Jesus answering, said, Were not ten made clean? and where are the nine? [18] There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger."

 

Edited March 15, 2013 by BarbaraTherese

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

Mention this to Father in Confession (it's not necessarily seriously sinful at all, but Father could give you advice.  It may not be sinful on any level, since you are trying hard to break a habit - and finding it very difficult).  The ideal, absolute ideal, would be to seek spiritual direction - or make an appointment to have a heart to heart with Father in person - at an appointment he could give you more time.

 

My tuppence :).......Habits develop over time and often start off small without realizing the big problem that lay ahead in the future - and this initial small inattention/habit gathers ground or strength as time passes - until suddenly one realizes one has developed a really bad habit and finding it very difficult to break that habit.  Just as the habit took time to develop it's ground or strength, so very often it is going to take time to break the habit and develop a good habit.  It all takes time, perseverance even in the face of failure, patience and absolute determination.

Perseverance in the face of failure means that if I fail in some good resolution, I don't kick myself all over the place and make myself feel miserable about myself and my chances for success (patience with myself and my resolution journey), rather I repent of my failure, and then simply start out once again - and again and again and again if necessary, i.e chin out and up, dogged perseverance.  And it goes without saying for sure that prayer for success and for perseverance with patience until I have achieved my resolution is prime, absolutely prime.  Nothing achieved without it.

 

Patient perseverance also means that I am prepared to do whatever it might take for however long it might take until my goal is reached.

 

St Rita of Cascia and also St Jude are our two patron saints of difficult causes, there may be other patrons as well.  But I find Sts Jude and Rita powerful intercessors when the cause is difficult, and sometimes it seems to me near on impossible causes.

 

Best of all prayerfully seek spiritual direction or a talk with Father.

 

Wow that's a good idea. I never thought of speaking to Father about it in confession or in spiritual direction. That's such a great idea. And sometimes when I think I have perseverance, it doesn't go according to plan. The patience part is what I have problems with, since I'm not a very patient person. But hopefully that will change over time.

 

 

With every success be it most minute or very great, give thanks to The Lord - just as with every failure of any kind, ask His Help and the prayers of His mother, foster father and our saints.

Jesus in His time on earth was quite moved and upset when of the ten lepers He cured, only one returned to thank Him.

 

I have also never thought of this. Thank you SO much for bringing this to my attention. :)

[DiscerningCatholic]

I always say a Hail Mary while I'm going up to receive. That's really helped me. :)

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

I always say a Hail Mary while I'm going up to receive. That's really helped me. :)

 

I'm going to mass with my mom today, so I'll try that. Thank you!! =)

[Lilllabettt]

The saints have given us different methods of assisting at Mass. As you know a Mass is composed of distinct parts ... there are different prayers you can say .. or rather different interior "activities" you can "do" during each of the Mass parts ... in my experience having a plan for what you will be doing during the different sections of Mass helps a great deal in maintaining recollection.

 

Here are some ideas to get you started:

 

easier reading, a compilation of methods from Fr. Hardon S. J http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Prayer/Prayer_040.htm

a little bit thicker reading, from St Leonard-Port Maurice : http://www.catholictradition.org/Eucharist/hidden-treasure.htm

[Noel's angel]

When I'm 'in line', I fix my eyes on the crucifix. It helps me keep focused.

[BarbTherese]

 The patience part is what I have problems with, since I'm not a very patient person. But hopefully that will change over time

 

I have problems with patience rather often too - another fault for which I beg The Lord's Mercy.  All I can share  is to just keep on trying to be patient and resolve to keep on trying until one has some success.........and dont kick yourself all over the place in failure.  Simply repent and begin again.  The nun who taught me in college said that it is not so much the failure itself, as it is the failure to repent immediately and then just begin again as if nothing has happened.  This is an act of confident trust in The Lord's Loving and Understanding Mercy.  Strength always comes from mentioning faults and failings in Confession and listening to any advice from Father - even if mortal sin is not at all involved.   If you have a spiritual director, mention it there too.

 

Prayer for The Lord's help is always, always, prime in any spiritual quest.  What I do is pray for help and trust and know that The Lord has answered me - come what may.  If this means day in day out struggle with some fault or failing, then it is The Lord's Providence and for my benefit.  Perhaps if I overcame my fault, I would be inflated with spiritual pride - and so The Lord strives keeps me humble and very much aware of my failings.  But since we can never be sure precisely of The Lord's reasons, I keep on praying and trying.......and failing........... rather often.

[BarbTherese]

As I process to Holy Communion, I sometimes recite to myself the following hymn as a prayer focusing on the words. It could be recited before or even after Holy Communion  It was sung at my First Communion by our school choir:

 

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,

How can I love Thee as I ought?

And how revere this wond'rous gift,

So far surpassing hope or thought.

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.

O make us love Thee more and more!

O make us love Thee more and more!

 

Had I but Mary's sinless heart,

To love Thee with, my dearest King;

O with what bursts of fervent praise,

Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.

O make us love Thee more and more!

O make us love Thee more and more!

 

O, see, within a creature's hand,

The vast Creator deigns to be,

Reposing infant-like, as though

On Joseph's arm, on Mary's knee.

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.

O make us love Thee more and more!

O make us love Thee more and more!

 

Thy body, soul, and Godhead, all--

O mystery of love divine!

I cannot compass all I have,

For all Thou hast and art are mine.

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.

O make us love Thee more and more!

O make us love Thee more and more!

 

Sound, sound His praises higher still,

And come ye Angels to our aid;

'Tis God, 'tis God, the very God,

Whose power both man and angels made.

Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.

O make us love Thee more and more!

O make us love Thee more and more!

[LouisvilleFan]

I've been noticing recently how every time I go to mass, I receive the Eucharist habitually instead of fully in spirit, if that makes sense.

 

It's not just in the Eucharist. I've also noticed how every time I go to mass it seems like everything from the prayers, to the liturgy of the word and Eucharist are performed out of habit for me. I've tried to pray the mass instead of going through the motions, but I don't know how to not simply "attend" mass. I want to fully be there in mind, body, and spirit ya know? How can I do that? What are ways that help from keeping the mass being habitual??

 

I second sharing with a good priest. My thoughts are that doing things out of habit is part of living out any relationshp. Married and dating couples, relatives, friends... all relationships involve some ups, downs, and in-betweens. All the other suggestions are good... sometimes we have to find the style of prayer life that suits us best. And it may be as simple as God taking away the consolation that Mass and Holy Communion feels like more than a dry habit, in which case it comes down to a fundamental questional: Do we receive because it feels like Christ is Present, or because we know Christ is Present?

[ToJesusMyHeart]

When I am going up to receive Him, I pray "Come, Good Shepherd, my God and my all, and take me to Yourself. Most Holy Mother, Mary Immaculate, prepare my heart to receive my Savior." 

 

Of course these aren't magical words. It all depends on your personal prayer style. You can change them to match your spirituality. For example, one of my friends says, "Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, prepare my heart to receive my Savior."  And a few other people I know fervently repeat "Jesus, I trust in you...Jesus, I trust in you..." as they prepare to receive Him. 

 

And sometimes I pray an Act of Contrition. 

 

Just try to find some prayers that stir your heart. 

 

St. Therese had a custom and recommendation to use your imagination and imagine your soul as a cluttered room, and before you receive Him, imagine and consciously try to clean out that room. Imagine yourself getting a broom and sweeping the floor, putting trash into the bin, tidying up, getting everything in order. Remember, this is symbolic of your soul which you are cleaning up to prepare a suitable place for Jesus to dwell. It may also be helpful to imagine Mary helping you clean up the room, you with a broom in hand and her with the mop. :)

Edited March 30, 2013 by ToJesusMyHeart

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

I've been noticing recently how every time I go to mass, I receive the Eucharist habitually instead of fully in spirit, if that makes sense.

 

It's not just in the Eucharist. I've also noticed how every time I go to mass it seems like everything from the prayers, to the liturgy of the word and Eucharist are performed out of habit for me. I've tried to pray the mass instead of going through the motions, but I don't know how to not simply "attend" mass. I want to fully be there in mind, body, and spirit ya know? How can I do that? What are ways that help from keeping the mass being habitual??

Sister in christ, you could try spending one hour alone before holy mass with no music,t.v, food, water or anything and switch your phone off too, a total fast an hour before holy mass, i believe in time this will renew your spirit and the grace to pray the mass and not just pray at mass or just go through the motions. Well thats what i'm doing now anyhow because i started feeling like i was just going through the motions too, and am now taking this hour fast before holy mass seriously.

[nikita92]

It moves so fast,there really isn't time to recite anything. Also I do not have a lot of different prayers memorized! Thus I would have to take out my small prayer booklet..or refer to a prayer app or two on my cell phone I have downloaded..and both those s options would get me stares from other people I'm sure! At times I feel the same way though...and taking any time for solitude before hand is nearly impossible in my life situation. Just know Lina..you are not alone!

[MarysLittleFlower]

I've been noticing recently how every time I go to mass, I receive the Eucharist habitually instead of fully in spirit, if that makes sense.

 

It's not just in the Eucharist. I've also noticed how every time I go to mass it seems like everything from the prayers, to the liturgy of the word and Eucharist are performed out of habit for me. I've tried to pray the mass instead of going through the motions, but I don't know how to not simply "attend" mass. I want to fully be there in mind, body, and spirit ya know? How can I do that? What are ways that help from keeping the mass being habitual??

 

I know what you mean! It can become habitual for me too :(

 

There were several things that helped me...

- reading about what Jesus said to the Saints and other chosen souls about the Eucharist, like the book "Way of Divine Love":http://www.tanbooks.com/doct/divine_mercy.htm  there's the whole idea that Jesus waits for us, longs for us to receive Him... I found this idea really helped me personally. Try to think of how Jesus feels.. how He's always there, so often alone, so few think of Him, or even know or believe He is there... He's there alone and He's called the Prisoner of Love. However, He still stays there for love of us. He also longs to unite Himself with us... think of how it's like for Him, and I hope that would help you :) 

 

- building on this point.. I found it helps me that when I come into the church, to focus on Jesus in the Eucharist without interruption. I'm not saying I focus on Him without interruption. But I hope to :) if there are distractions beyond your control, don't get discouraged and just come back to focusing on Him. Talk to Him, listen to Him, make spiritual communion during the day (there's the prayer: http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/spiritual-communion.html ) and receive Him in the Eucharist often, most importantly (I've failed at this but this is my plan).

 

- doing thanksgiving after Mass... sooo important/helpful! This literally transforms how Communion is received :) because we stay with Him after receiving Him.. rather than thinking about other things, like driving back and the traffic :) if you can't do this because your family doesn't stay after Mass (it happens to some people, perhaps) - encourage them to stay too or keep praying to Him afterwards even when you're no longer in the Church... it helped me to think of it in a simple way, He just wants to be with us :)

 

- greet Jesus in the Eucharist whenever you pass a Church

 

- going to Adoration frequently helps us to participate better in the Mass and to love Jesus in the Eucharist more and more :)

 

- talking to Jesus simply, as to a Friend.. and telling Him everything, but then listening to Him too.

 

I've found that simplifying it all to these points, has been helpful, though I'm still learning/trying to live them out more.

 

Also, receiving Communion with Mary, asking her to prepare your heart, etc - offering God her love... that is very powerful :)

 

If you're looking for any books to read that encourage greater devotion to the Eucharist, the ones that i really found helped me were:

- Way of Divine Love by Sr Josefa Menendez

- He and I by Gabrielle Bossis

*these ones are not only about the Eucharist, but they have some really powerful points about His Presence there*

 

- Jesus, Our Eucharistic Love - is also amazing.. it's by Fr Stefano Manelli. It's also short and easy to read :) and available online from the publisher/translator: http://www.fatima.org/joel/content.asp (I havne't looked at the website, but I have a copy of this book in print that I bought used, so I assume it's the same)

 

- Saints like St Gemma Galgani, St Peter Julian Eymard, and others very devoted to the Eucharist (they all were, of course :)). St Gemma said very beautiful prayers that are edifying to read, like this one:

 

"It is night and I long for the morning when Jesus will possess me and I shall possess Jesus. Have I deserved this favour? No, my Father, is it not true? Jesus, my God, the only object of my affections. What a joy for me if I should die after receiving Him. Yes, to die in the ecstasy of Holy Communion. My only Love, Jesus . . . I await You. Oh, at least let the transports of my tenderness make You forget the bitterness of my worthlessness. Deluded indeed are they who love anyone beside Jesus. Oh my God, You deign once again on this day to cast a glance upon the least worthy of all Your children. It is too much, Oh my God, too much. My God, I adore You. I am dying of love for You, I have Your sweet Name ever in my mind, in my heart and on my lips. Jesus, Jesus, now and ever! Jesus, light of my heart and my soul. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!"

 

“Blessed Gemma Galgani” by Benedict Williamson, 1933.

 

There's a biography of her by her spiritual director from TAN publishers. She saw how Jesus waits for us all night in the Eucharist till we receive Him (wow..) and she asked Him, who will seek each other first, and then added "it will be me" :) I love the simplicity of this Saint! it really helps to read about them, imo.

 

Hope that helps in some way! God bless!