Bishop Barron on Catholics Misunderstanding the Eucharist

It’s hard to describe how angry I feel after reading the latest Pew Forum study, which reveals only one-third of Catholics agree with the Church that the Eucharist is actually the Body and Blood of Christ. This should be a wake-up call to all of us in the Church—priests, bishops, religious, laypeople, catechists, parents, everyone—that we need to pick up our game when it comes to communicating even the most basic doctrines of the Church. Watch this video for more...

[tobby]

I want more angry Bishop Barron! And I don't mean that in a bad way, Jesus had righteous anger too!

[Benjaminyk]

If the Eucharist were just a symbol, adoration would be idolatrous.

[TracyW-mebr]

My sons messed up and ate mints in the vestment room waiting to serve Mass as altar boys. They know darn good and well there is an hour fast and why. Anyway, our priest told them they had broken the fast and they shouldn’t receive communion that day. He went on to explain why. That few minute conversation, I believe, had a profound impact on my boys. They learned more in those few minutes than years of parish catechism (even though they do a great job!) and conversations with their dear old mother. It was about way more than a rule. It was an intense experience and I thanked our priest for it.

[pedroth]

I think one of the problems, was the accepting of the Eucharist in hand, instead of receiving communion kneeling and on the tongue.

[RedantRedant]

This is because there is no catechism lessons any more. That seemed to stop being required sometime in 1960s.
I attended Mass regularly since the 1960s and when I “rediscovered” Catholicism and began to study the faith in the 2010-ish, I was shocked to learn that the Real Presence is a central belief to Catholic Faith. That how little I knew from attending Mass alone. We need to educate more Catholics. (I know I wasn’t the only one who did not know that)

[ash]

I wonder if this lack of belief in the Real Presence has to do with the lack of reverence at Mass. If everyone is lining up to kneel at the altar rail to receive on the tongue in silence or to the tune of Adoro Te Devote, then people clue in that something important is taking place. If laypeople are handing out Our Lord to the tune of some happy-clappy Protestant hymn, how could anyone recognize that they are receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord if they don't already understand the Mystery? Lex orandi, lex credendi.

[doctorpipsqueak]

As a young person I would say understanding the true meaning of the Eucharist was a big factor in staying with the church when I wanted to leave. God is truly present in the bread and wine and using this is a good way to stay away from lukewarmness. God bless you Bishop!

[gabek]

Bishop Barron - I came in to the Church through your ministry -

5 years later I will be the first to say:

The masses in many popular parishes lack substance and are indistinguishable from non denominational services I left behind— bring back theology - bring back the Latin mass as a focal point for All Catholics — communion on the tongue — let’s bring our faith back to its core and like many FSSP parishes we will begin separating the believers from those who perpetuate modernism within the church and we will grow again

[assffghjjugg]

Let us also not forget the importance of reverent, solemn liturgy. The medium is the message, if we do not take seriously the way the Eucharist is handled and received and celebrated then the statistics from this study should not surprise us.

[anniem]

I feel nervous to share this personal experience I had because I know there will be doubters, but I had a powerful experience upon receiving the Eucharist once in Rome when I was in my early 20's (almost a decade ago). I basically saw God with my soul (not visually) and felt an overwhelming need to fall on my face in worship before him in the Eucharist. I think I paused for a few mins, because when I realized that I was just standing there, I also noticed that the priest was looking at me with concern while he held the Body of Christ before me. But, I will never forget that moment, and I can only hope others who don't believe will come to believe through the grace of God. He is truly present, and if we only saw him in the Eucharist with our own eyes, we would fall down in adoration before him. But, don't just take my word for it. Our Lord, Jesus and the Church said this from the beginning.

[qwerty]

COMMUNION IN THE HAND.
Open your eyes. If we don't consistently show great reverence, we won't continue to believe.

[michaelkoegel]

It used to be taught that you couldn’t touch the Sacred Host. Now everyone can?
Also, if people think the they need to receive under both species, bread and wine, to get the whole of the Sacrament. That’s a problem too. I could go on a rant for days. No communion in the hand, no extra ordinary ministers, on the tongue while keeling, from a priest.🎤

[GinnyandEric]

“If it’s only a symbol, then I say to hell with it!” Flannery O'Connor

[SuperSaiyanKrillin]

We need Pope Francis to initiate a Year of the Eucharist to reinvigorate this teaching to the entire faithful

[mikeaugustine]

Understanding the Eucharist being the body blood and soul of Christ was the reason I came into full communion 7 years ago.

[anonymous]

I love the passion you have for the Source and the Summit of our Faith. Thank you Bishop Barron! Praise be Jesus fully and entirely present in the Blessed Sacrament! 🙏🏽

[Lewy]

This would be a great Sunday Mass sermon. I wish Bishop B could just inspire all clergy to speak on this. I am 66 years old so I was taught this when I was very young and I have never doubted this. Thank you to all those Nuns and my parents who made me believe.

[marypinakat]

Truly appreciate the connection of *Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament* and *Service to the Poor* even heroically, by Saints Mother Theresa and Vincent de Paul and other dedicated Catholics. Great lesson.

[moursundjames]

Dear Bishop, I can tell you're frustrated at this, and I can tell you're speaking with a genuine desire for healing in the Church and in the world. Thank you for your work all these years, and let's all keep praying for God's help. More time in Eucharistic adoration. :)

[BenMcCullough]

With all due respect, what did you think would happen when you removed Communion rails, allowed Communion in the hand, no longer kneel before the Eucharist, introducing extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, not to mention the lack of emphasis on the need to receive Communion in a state of grace? All of these changes were designed to diminish belief in the Real Presence of Christ. I appreciate Bishop Barron for addressing this concern, but it feels like he is pretty late to the party on this one. To any outside observer, I would think its pretty obvious by our lack of reverence towards the Eucharist for the last 40~ years that very few Catholics truly believe the Blessed Sacrament is actually the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.