Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Fr. Croiset and Reverence for the Blessed Sacrament

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

The following is taken from a meditation by Fr. John Croiset, SJ (d. 1738 AD) for the Feast of the Sacred Heart:

"What answer could Catholics give to heretics if these latter reproach them with the want of reverence of many Catholics in church. . . If they say, you, Catholics, believe that Jesus Christ is really present on the altar in this Host, . . . if you believe in the Divine Presence in your churches, how comes it that you do not show more respect there?  We have contempt for your Sacraments, a heretic might say, but do you yourselves not teach us to despise them?"

Though we may take some comfort from the knowledge that a lack of reverence for the Eucharist among Catholics is not new, I believe Fr. Croiset would be shocked by the lack of reverence seen among Catholics today.

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