HE FEAST DAYS ARE FLYING thick and fast. Today is the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and here I am writing about Corpus Christi which seems so long ago.
There is a link between the two, as we see in the Divine Office taking us back to the office hymn tune for Christmas, drawing the parallel between adoring Jesus in the arms of His Blessed Mother and Jesus in the hands of the priest.
Last Sunday, however, I had the pleasure of reading the pastoral letter: This Wonderful Sacrament by Bishop Anthony Fisher OP of Paramatta.
A few things stand out:
- The opening story – read it – child-like faith in the True Presence
- Preparation before communion – including confession and the hour’s fast
- Kneeling – defended with an example from C S Lewis’ Screwtape Letters
- Encouraging adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the day and early evening
In the written version we see the subheadings taken from liturgical Latin, the hymn O sacrum convivium and the prayers at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. No direct mention of sacred music, but the emphasis on reverence is there.
There is reason for hope.
