In yesterday's post, I said Sen. Ted Kennedy did not receive Holy Communion at the Nationals Mass. However, my source at Christendom College got the following e-mail soon after I filed the post. It said:
"Two of my sons and I attended the Papal Mass yesterday. We were seated in section 216, directly above the section in which Ted Kennedy was seated. Several minutes prior to the general distribution of communion a priest walked down to Ted Kennedy and gave him communion. There was some discussion amongst we in our section about the inappropriateness of his reception of the Host. Be certain, he remained seated not out of some self-enforced respect for the sacrament, but rather out of respect for his girth and mobility."
Here's the question of the day: Who was the priest? If you know, let us know!
As I write, a gorgeous Mass is going on now at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Folks were camped out for hours on the Manhattan sidewalks to get a glimpse of the pontiff as he was driven to its Gothic precincts at 9:15 a.m. I've never seen so many religious habits in my life - except around St. Peter's Square. Mayor Michael Bloomberg put in a brief appearance to call it a "historic day for New York."
After this, the pope rides his popemobile up Fifth Avenue - without ticker tape, I am guessing - then heads off to Yonkers where he will first speak to about 50 disabled children, then about 20,000 young people.
— Julia Duin, assistant national editor/religion, The Washington Times
Comments (4)
With all due respect, it would be much better if people weren't so intent on keeping tabs on who was going to communion and who wasn't. Such behavior, I'm sure is the cause of many bad communions. Besides, are we so absolutely sure we are pure enough to receive communion as often as we do!
Posted by Linus | April 19, 2008 8:26 PM
I take notable exception to the caption "Wafer watch. That printed expression was ridicule in its purest form. I wouldn't expect to see something like that in even the sleeziest tabloid. If the editors of the Washington Times can't take religious rites seriously then they cannot take any subject seriously.
Posted by Keith Brown | April 19, 2008 9:39 PM
Julia Duin,assistant national editor/religion, The Washington Times
When we receive Communion in the Catholic Church, we are not receiving a "wafer". We are actually receiving the MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. At the Last Supper with the Apostles, Jesus said, "This is My Body." "This is My Blood." "Do this in remembrance of ME."
Posted by Maria Grimes | April 21, 2008 4:28 AM
With respect and love to all of my brother's and sister's in Christ who are joyfully Catholic and loyal to our beloved Pope and the magesterium. While I too am greatly scandalized by pro abortion politician's receiving the Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I don't believe any of us are called to publicly keep tabs on those who receive the Eucharist unworthily. Report to the Bishop? Absolutely. Report to Rome if necessary? Absolutely. But to report it in a blog or other public source of info seems a bit tabloidish. I am not sure what good can come of it.
Posted by Steve | April 22, 2008 9:42 AM