In the afternoon, most of the group went to the baths before an afternoon "catechetical Mass" - Low Mass with hymns and some catechesis for the children at various points in the Mass. Plenty of silence too, of course. We followed this with a somewhat penitential Way of the Cross. The Stations at Lourdes are very striking with figures about twice lifesize. They were helpful in catechesis for the children at various points. I haven't got a photo of my own so here is one from Fr Lawrence Lew's Lourdes Flickr Set.
At various points in Lourdes, there are signs telling you not to do various things that you shouldn't do in a holy place. As you can see, most of them are fairly obvious:
However, Jonanthan suggested that one of them was at least ambiguous. Many people thought it prohibited begging (or giving to beggars?) but he suggested it was an interdiction against Communion in the hand:
20 comments:
Oh, that's a cracker!!! LOL!!!
Very perceptive of Jonathan to make this all important link.
If only.....
Interesting poster. Perhaps to be copied and posted at church doors and sanctuary steps?
Jonathan is absolutely right, it does mean no Communion in the hands, probably no hand shaking, waving or pew jumping aswell.
The weather has been all over the place in London, with showers, winds and sunshine every five minutes
The message re velos seems ambiguous;there is no red line thru' le velo,- does that mean they are not interdits?
re the weather, central France yesterday had hail like tennis balls( see Spiritdaily link), which knocks your golf balls for six!
Dear Father, your last bit really made me really laugh, many thanks! Have a holy pilgrimage, you and all your group.
Am not entirely sure if asking for prayers under a nom-de-plume is 1) licit, 2) effective, but if you think it is, then please do, and also for my Father, who is old and ill, and does not have a non-de-plume, so a genuine candidate for grace!
I like Jonathan's interpretation - brilliant! - I'm tempted to try and get a few of these signs and attach them to varous churches in the Diocese......
Hats off to Jonathan! Great post.
It can't be about communion in the hand because....it is the WRONG hand!
Hi Fr,
I did try to google this question but could not quite find the right phrase to search so was wondering if you could point me in the right direction or if you the answers short and you have the time could explain it yourself.
Why can’t the priest just get on with it?
This evening I went to a wonderful Novo Order Mass in Latin to celebrate St Philip’s day. The accompanying choir and music were also fantastic however I did experience some mild frustration waiting for the choir to finish singing the Sanctus so the Mass could continue. Half the congregation did not know whether to stand or kneel so you just end up standing their like a lemon waiting to be allowed to go on. While I realise the prayers between the Sanctus and the Consecration are important I think my time would be better spent in prayer preparing myself to receive Christ in Holy Communion.
Perhaps I just have the wrong attitude; perhaps I could just simply stand there and pray instead of allowing myself get annoyed. Either way, why was it decided we (the laity) need to hear these prayers.
I much prefer the extraordinary way of letting the priest rattle through the prayers, shutting the choir for the Consecration and then continuing.
Thanks for the link Father. I spotted that sign last year, and a few of us really thought it meant no Communion in the hand! LOL.
Such great respectful protection of Blessed Sacrament. Maybe overdue at Aylesford?
There is another ambiguous sign at Lourdes, I think.
Look at no.2.
Does it mean "no ice creams" or "no parachuting" ?
.
No money changing in the Temple?
LOL! I have thought first about Communion on hand before reading.
Dear Father
At the risk of being boring I think it is begging that is forbidden and so we are not to give to beggars. There are plenty near the Pont St Michel and the Pont Vieux. There are facilities for the poor so be careful. I saw one a few years back finish begging and then leaving by car.
Bicycles are normally forbidden but at the time of the Tour de France exceptions are occasionally made.
Lourdes is special. As one priest told me it is a rare place where British Catholics are really in a place where it is normal to be Catholic.
Your youngsters will see that it a place of joy. There are also petty irritants but somehow they do not get remembered.
You might persuade a few to do a stage with the Hospitalité: we are always looking for new recruits.
God bless
I must say that I though the exact same thing when I saw the sign! Certain Catholic blogs must be influencing me... ;)
Yes, Peter, it was only a joke. The professional begging in Lourdes is a nuisance. At certain times, you can see the minder coming round and collecting the takings from the various people.
The sign forbidding dogs must be pretty unusual to the French. In my experience they take their mutts everywhere with them - including church.
LOL! When I first saw the sign, I honestly thought it was a prohibition against receiving Communion in the hand. Imagine my disappointment upon learning otherwise.
Why wouldn't the reception of the Blessed Sacrament be forbidden in such a holy place,
or in the entire Church for that matter?
I believe that the Holy Father has spoken quite clearly on this matter when he will not give the Sacrament in the unconsecrated hand at Holy Mass.
God bless.
Post a Comment