Blessed Sacrament

Yesterday Jenny, Shelly, Tim, Kyle and I attended Mass at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Norfolk. It's a beautiful church with a beautiful sanctuary. During his homily the pastor, Father Joseph Metzger, remarked that "...the sanctuary at times is quiet and at other times is chaotic." Blessed Sacrament's sanctuary before Mass yesterday was chaotic with all of the talking that was going on. However, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Norfolk VA is NOT alone. The same can be said ("chaotic") of the sanctuary of our church, St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, SC, and of most Catholic sanctuaries today.

What has happened to the Church of my youth? When I was young no one spoke out loud in the sanctuary before, during, or after Mass, except for the priest. Even in hushed tones, conversation about golf, restaurants, friends, etc. is inappropriate for the sanctuary of a Catholic Church, then and NOW. Those who engage in such conversation are disrespectful of others who are trying to connect with God in prayer, and, more importantly, they are disrespectful of the Blessed Sacrament.

I'm a sinner. Yesterday I visited to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Norfolk, VA. I may never pass that way again. If I were able to say one thing to the parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Norfolk, VA, I would say this:

"Consider the Name of your parish. Jesus is present PHYSICALLY in your tabernacle, as He is in all other tabernacles in the world. Show respect for Jesus and for others who are in the sanctuary trying to pray. Please return the sanctuary to a place of quiet reverence, prayer, and respect. (Please understand that I am NOT speaking of infants and toddlers who are too young to understand the significance of the PHYSICAL presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.)

To those of my generation (born in the first half of the last century), You have a particular obligation to return the sanctuary to that which existed in our youth. Consider the POOR example that YOU give to young Catholics with your idle conversation about golf, restaurants, friends, etc. Be considerate of others who are trying to pray. Consider the unique PHYSICAL presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament."


Fatima Prayer
Most Holy Trinity
Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences whereby He is offended. And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners. Amen.
.
.