As we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, when the minister of the Most Holy Eucharist says, ‘the Body of Christ’ or ‘the Blood of Christ’, a fair number souls – not everyone to be sure – say nothing. While it is true that under the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, the priest is the one who says ‘Amen’, under the Ordinary Form, it is the tradition that the soul receiving Holy Communion replies ‘Amen’.

   The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, ‘In Hebrew, amen comes from the same root as the word 'believe." This root expresses solidity, trustworthiness, faithfulness.’

   If the reason one does not say ‘Amen’ is because he or she does not believe in the Real Presence of Christ – His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity Truly Present in the Sacred Species, one should not be receiving Holy Communion. Christ would expect one to live by their beliefs.

   Please say ‘Amen’; it is not difficult and it is the right thing to do.

   Please, let us be careful out there!         

  - Father Tim