St. Cyril wrote a sereies of lectures around the year 375 regarding beliefs, doctrines, and practices on the Eucharist. When it came to the Eucharist, St. Cyril (a Doctor of the Church) believed ferevntly in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He also had explicit instructions on how the Eucharsit should be partaken.
"In approaching therefore, come not with your wrists extended, or your fingers spread; but make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King . And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest you lose any portion thereof ; for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members. For tell me, if any one gave you grains of gold, would you not hold them with all carefulness, being on your guard against losing any of them, and suffering loss? Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from you of what is more precious than gold and precious stones?
"Then after you have partaken of the Body of Christ, draw near also to the Cup of His Blood; not stretching forth your hands, but bending , and saying with an air of worship and reverence, Amen , hallow yourself by partaking also of the Blood of Christ. And while the moisture is still upon your lips, touch it with your hands, and hallow your eyes and brow and the other organs of sense . Then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, who has accounted you worthy of so great mysteries.
Sadly, in a recent survey, a disturbing number of Catholics in the U.S. believe the Eucharist is a memorial meal done in memory of Christ - without understanding that it is Christ himslef present on the the Alter.
How many of us take the Eucharist unworthily each week? Make it a point to go to Confession and receive the Sacrement of Reconciliation.
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