The source of renewance of the Church is the renewance of worship
Worship
Worship (in Greek proszkuneszisz, ‘prostrations’, in Latin adoration, ‘with a dutiful kiss’) is the highest show of respect duly given to the true God, the prime activity of the devout, the most fundamental moral obligation for the created and redeemed, which is stipulated in the mandatum magnum (Matthew 22, 34-40).
Worship is the basic behaviour of a religious person, who is consciously aware that the secrets of human existence and the creation of the world, are full with God’s presence (Acts 17,28). To worship idols other than God is to deny faith and religion and is a sin.
Worship is a complete human action, it permeates the whole being: inside and out, jointly expressing homage both spiritually and physically. The person, a creature of intelligence with his own free will recognises God’s absolute superiority, exclusivity and complete dependence established in His love. Bodily however, worship is expressed by prostrations and kneeling. The body and the spirit together in worship. (Rom 12,1)
Worship concerns the Holy Trinity, namely, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, furthermore it is all based on the hypostatic union (unio hüposztatika), whereby the second part of the divine body belongs to humanity, distinctively the Holy Eucharist.
Worshipping the Lord with prostrations
In the New Testament we hear of worshipping prostrated to Jesus’ holy humanity and the revered Christ. The kings of the orient already prostrated and bowed before the manger in Bethlehem. (Matthew 2, 2–11).
The Lord Jesus permits Jairus to fall at his feet (Mark 5,22), andthat the blood-issuing woman fell down before him (Mark 5,33). The leper worshipped him (Matthew 8,2); those who were on the ship came and worshipped him (Matthew 14,33), the woman of Canaan worshipped him (Matthew 15,25), the mother of Zebedee’s sons came worshipping him (Matthew 20,20); the sister of Lazarus and Martha sat at his feet (Luke 10,39); Mary of Bethany worships (John 12,3). The unclean spirits fell down before the Lord Jesus (Mark 3,11). Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Mary Salome the wife of Zebedee, Jacob and the mother of John the apostle, fell down before the risen and anointed Jesus Christ (Mark 16,1–8; Matthew 28,9). The eleven disciples worshipped him (Matthew 28,17).
The disciples worshipped him as he blessed them and ascended to heaven (Luke 24,52).
Saint Paul said that things in heaven, on earth and under the earth should bow to the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 2,6–11). Saint John in Revelations spoke of the four beasts and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Rev 5,6–14).
The presence of Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist
The Body and Blood of Christ, body and soul, deity and humanity, a complete Christ, whole and undivided is present in the Eucharist. Christ whole and undivided present in both hosts, in either host. When the consecrated hosts are separated the whole Christ is present in every piece of the separated host. When the consecration is over the Body and Blood of Christ are eternally present in the Eucharist. The worshipper who truly follows God has to give respect (latria) to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The reality that Christ’s presence has occurred during the Mass carried by the host, is known by the Catholic Church as “transubstantiation”[1] – and is right and proper according to the teachings of the Council of Trent.[2]
The Council of Trent was the first occasion when the theological question of the reality of the presence of Christ (praesentia realis) in the Eucharist, was explored.[3] This unshaken belief, from the very beginning of the true Church of Christ, the Saviour’s clear and understandable words[4]at the Last Supper are particular and totally evident, that the Lord offered his own body and blood to the apostles.[5] The substantiation and disappearance of the bread and wine, and the presence of Christ’s Body and Blood in a sense is incomprehensible.
In the blessed Eucharist truly (vere), actually (realiter) and essentially (substantialiter) the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is present, together with His spirit and deity – and therefore the whole Christ[6] – and not as a token, an illustration or by force.[7] The Church is a pillar of truth on a solid foundation[8], the “godless people” who would question transubstantiatio and the doctrine of the actual presence and the words of the Saviour “are as contemptuous as satan”.[9]
Christ’s presence in the host of the Eucharist is unique. And his presence elevates the Eucharist above all other sacraments, as the Eucharist is “the fulfillment of spiritual life, the aim of the holy sacrament”.[10] The Eucharist’s most holy sacrament, “The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, human soul and godliness together, which is the whole Christ present substantiated in truth and actuality.”[11] For presence however, they say “realistic”, although not with the intent to exclude, as though the presence at other times would not be “realistic”, but rather to in honour of substantiation, whereby the whole and intact Christ undeniably becomes God and man.”[12]
The presence of Christ in the Eucharist begins at the moment of transformation, covering every visible particle of the host, lasting until the hosts’ dispersal. The whole Christ is present in each of the hosts, and in the same way the whole Christ is present in every part even after the breaking of the bread.[13]
Afterwards the Lord Jesus is fully present in the Eucharist, and because the Saviour is worshiping God, we should accept and worship Christ in the Eucharist.[14]
The Holy Communion is the greatest gift to our earthly lives
The Eucharist is the afore taste of the complete happiness to come promised by Christ.[15]
“the pledge of future glory”[16] For whoever partakes of the Eucharist with Christ, has “already on earth life eternal”.[17]
We can say that not only do we take Christ unto ourselves, but also Christ takes all of us unto himself.[18] He binds us in friendship: “You are my friends”.[19] Moreover, we can thank him for our lives: “Who eats of my body, will live through me”.[20] Through the secrets of the Holy Communion Christ and his disciples “living in each other” is realized: “Stay within me and I within you”.[21]
The creation, the incarnation, the righteousness and the transfiguration stand inseparably related under the secret of the transubstantiation. Within this is concealed the whole mystery of Christ and Kingdom.
Our Catholic faith is made complete by worshiping the Eucharist
The essence of the Catholic Church’s faith and preaching, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who suffered and died on the cross for us and on the third day resurrected from death. The Kingdom of God has arrived in Christ.
This has all been witnessed, chiefly by the apostles, but also by us, who have been met by the Resurrected, and have been filled by the Holy Spirit. In accordance with this we preach the forgiveness of sins and the joy of salvation, and we call all people to conversion.
(Acts 2,22–38; 3,13–19; 4,10–12; 10,37–43; 13,23–39)
Following our Saviour’s assent to heaven, the Holy Spirit is present in every Church throughout the world. Realized by the the Lord’s direct presence in the Eucharist. It is the essence of our Catholic faith the meeting with Christ the Redeemer, our lives be blessed through Him, with Him and within Him. The grace of God will bear fruit, if we seek and accept with a contrite and humble heart. (Psalms 51,1). Hence receiving the holy sacrament while kneeling to the tongue, with Holy worship is the total synthesis and expression of Catholic faith and life.
Falling on our knees before Holy Jesus and receiving his Holy Body to our lips is the manifestation of our recognition, the confession of our sins, having the Lord’s favour in our status as children of God. Shining through is the belief in the Son of God, the belief in God the Creator and Redeemer, the belief in the holy presence of the Lord, and belief in the nurturing Catholic Church. The children are imitating the gentle and humble-hearted Jesus with their unshaken belief and trusting worship and the acceptance of the Holy Body to their lips (comp. Matthew 11,29).
The Holy Communion is the acceptance of the mysteries of incarnation and redemption. The Holy Communion accepts the Virgin Mary as the mother of God, the Preacher of Nazareth’s incarnation and redemption, the salvation brought by the holy wounds of Lord Jesus and the desire and acceptance of his divine grace. It is deserving that the holy act, our lives greatest beneficence, should happen with the most complete worship.
Bowing down before the Eucharist is the expression of Easter faith. In acknowledgement of the founding effect of Maundy Thursday, and the cruxificial sacrifice of Good Friday. In acknowledgement of Easter Saturday’s deathly silence and expectancy. In acknowledgement of the unfastening of death’s shackles, and the secrets of heaven’s gate. In acknowledgement of the Easter vigil, Christ’s glorious resurrection, the birth of the Church at Pentecost, life from the Eucharist and the realisation of the Lord’s holy presence.
Our true connection with the Sacrament mirrors our relationship with the Lord and the Church. Those who receive the Eucharist to their tongue while kneeling, have reached the most complete expression of faith, who believe and profess the Lord Jesus Christ’s Maundy Thursday new and eternal covenant, Good Friday’s infinite and most holy sacrifice, Easter Saturday’s deepest and most secretive silence, and the glory of the Easter resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the infinite mercy and sanctification of the Church and the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Eucharistic Congress, receiving Holy Communion to the tongue while kneeling!
The 52nd International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Budapest in 2020 is an eminent occasion and moment of grace to renew and boldly confess the truth of Lord Jesus’ holy presence. The action of prayer is worth more than words or deeds, of which the Hungarian Catholic Church shows a good example before the entire world.
It is my conviction, that the Hungarian retraction of holy communion given to hand, also the revival of celebrating communion by taking the sacrament to the tongue while kneeling, in honour of the Eucharistic Christ would be the most glorious evidence and most beautiful fruition of Hungarian faith and propitiatory mission of atonement, God’s divine grace would be in abundance which would wonderfully assist faith and liturgy for our Catholic Church drifting into deep crisis.
The main aim of the Eucharistic Congress is the confession of Lord Jesus’ holy presence.
From the Catholic Church’s point of view, the most beautiful gift the Budapest Eucharistic Congress could give would be to launch a global renewance of the worship of Holy Jesus!
It will be a most noteworthy moment, when the Hungarian Catholic Church no longer requires the concession (indultum) for the giving of holy communion to the hand, which is sacrilegious treatment of the Holy Eucharist, leading to the depreciation of belief and worship in Holy Jesus, instead we should go back to serving completely the essence of worshiping the Holy Jesus, which according to tradition in Latin is expressed by receiving the sacrament to the tongue while kneeling.
The Eucharistic Congress could bring out into the open, what is evident from the Holy scriptures and the Church’s living traditions, that we can only come near to the Lord through homage and worship.
At the Eucharistic Congress everyone could receive the sacrament to the tongue while kneeling, and let this be the greatest sign and instrument in bringing about the renewal of holy life and the belief in the Holy Presence.
The first step in protecting the holiness and dignity of the Communion service. Though as a first step it is essential that it carries on and completes it’s designated journey.
Regnum Marianum – Regnum Eucharisticum
Bishop Athanasius Schneider said the following in 2016 during his first visit to Hungary:
„It is such a nice country! I see such beautiful villages and churches everywhere! This trip shows to me that this is a Catholic country. And I hope that the Hungarians will be faithful to Regnum Marianum[22] so that your country can really be ruled by Our Lady. And the reign of Christ is always realised through Mary. So when you are a Regnum Marianum, your should be a Regnum Eucharisticum, too. I wish the love, reverence and defence of our Eucharistic Lord also grew in Hungary.“ [23]
The Hungarian Catholic Church’s journey back to the pure catholic faith is shown through the renewance of the worship of Holy Jesus, by bringing in the complete worship of the Holy Eucharist: with the cessation of receiving the sacrament to the hand and again the bringing in of receiving the sacrament to the tongue while kneeling.
Receive the Holy Eucharist to the tongue while kneeling!
I ask of every Roman Catholic believer, for the love of the Holy Lord, to renounce the concession which permits the receiving of the holy sacrament to the hand: at the time of communion prostrate yourself before the Lord by kneeling, and accept the Most Holy to your lips! We ask our Bishops and Priests, for the sake of Christ and the Church with all our strength to help in the renewance of the worship of the Lord, the belief of the actual presence and more appropriate holy life, and make it possible to take communion to the tongue while kneeling, in every church.
The approaching Budapest Eucharistic Congress is the testimony, and the moment of grace for the renewance of the Catholic faith. We ask our Bishops and Priests, for the sake of Christ and the Church with all our strength to help in the renewance of the worship of the Lord, the belief of the actual presence and more appropriate holy life, and preach the return of celebrating communion by receiving the sacrament to the tongue while kneeling.
We pray and bring blessings wherefore, Hungary, Mary’s country will be Regnum Eucharisticum, the Lord Jesus Christ’s Eucharistic Kingdom’s faithful and bold witness and preacher! Let the eagerness to receive the complete worship of the Holy Jesus be the great proof of Hungary’s propitiatory mission.
I offer my calling to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Budapest, 2019. Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Fülep Dániel
Roman Catholic theologian
[1] The Council of Trent University, XIII. session: Decretum de ss. Eucharistia 4. Cf: DH 1642.
[2] Eccl.de Euch.15.
[3] DH 1635–1648; 1651–1661.
[4] Matthew 26,26–29;Mark 14,22–25;Luke 22,19; 1 Cor 11,23.
[5] DH 1637.
[6] Not a different body from the one born of Mary, suffered on the cross and rose from the grave. Radbertus, P.,Of the Lord’s body and blood. Paulus Hungarus-Kairosz Bp. 2001.
[7] DH 1651.
[8] 1Tim 3,15.
[9] DH 1637.
[10] Aquinas Th., Summa Theol. III,73,3. Quote: Schütz, A., Dogmatics II, SZIT Bp 1937. p. 494.
[11] The council of Trent, 13 session:Decretum de ss. Eucharistia, I.Canon: DH 1651.
[12] Pope Paul VI, Mysterium fidei enciklika:AAS 57(1965)764: DH 4412.
[13] Council of Trent, 13 sessio:Decretum de ss.Eucharistia, 3: DH 1641,1653.
[14] DH 1643,1656.
[15] John 15,11.
[16] Solemnity of Corpus Christi 2. vespera Magnificat-antifon.
[17] John 6,54.
[18] Eccl. de Euch. 22.
[19] John 15,14.
[20] John 6,57.
[21] John 15,4.
[22] The name comes from the tradition that the first Hungarian king, Saint Stephen, dying without a heir, offered the Holy Hungarian Crown and the country to the Virgin Mary. It was happened on August 14, 1038 at the vigil of Assumption of Mary. Since then the Virgin Mary has been the true Queen of the Hungarian Catholic Kingdom. The name Regnum Marianum was often used for emphasizing a strong connection between Hungary and the Catholic Church.
[23] Ib. 144 p.