POSTURE WHILE ON HOLY GROUND
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ TABLE OF CONTENTS AbstractPreface Part I — Foundations of Liturgical AnthropologyChapter I — The Nature of Worship: Body and Soul Part II — Posture as Doctrinal ExpressionChapter II — The Real Presence and GenuflectionChapter III — Bowing and Sacred HumilityChapter IV — Kneeling and the Sacrifice of the MassChapter V […]
The Sacrifice of the Mass
Victor R. Claveau, MJ 🔹 Core Claim The Mass is the true, sacramental re-presentation (making present) of the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary—not a new sacrifice, but the same sacrifice made present in an unbloody manner. ✠ 1. Christ Instituted a Sacrificial Memorial At the Last Supper, Jesus said: Key point: Conclusion: Christ […]
Why is exposition in the monstrance preferred?
To see Jesus visibly present under the appearance of the small white host is much more conducive to intimacy than hidden away in the tabernacle. Moreover, it adds an extra responsibility on the adorers to be sure to be faithful to the hours they are scheduled, since the suggested norm for having Jesus exposed in […]
Walking up to Receive Holy Communion
Walk with dignity with your hands held in a position of prayer at your breast. Pay attention to what you are about to experience. Concentrate and focus your mind and heart on the fact that you are about to receive our Lord in a most extraordinary way. Remember, sooner or later, you will be attending […]
Tithing — “It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive”
A tithe is tenth part of produce or other goods, which is consecrated to the Lord and used for religious purposes. The Sixth Precept of the Church is “You shall provide for the material needs of the Church.” This precept requires the faithful to contribute to the Church according to their own abilities. While the […]
Thanksgiving after Communion
“Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling” (Zech 2:13). A period of thanksgiving is in order after receiving communion. Inaestimabile Donum, §17 states: “The faithful are to be recommended not to omit to make a proper thanksgiving after Communion. They may do this during the celebration with a […]
Sitting during Mass
When we sit down for the readings, the posture of being seated should signify that you are attentively listening; that you are ready to be instructed from either the Word of God or the homilist. When you sit down during Mass, remember that you are not sitting in a casual chair, watching TV in your […]
Silence before and after Mass
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). Members of the congregation should be friendly, but their conversation should be carried on outside the church. One should spend the minutes before and after Mass in silent personal prayer of preparation or thanksgiving, or at least allow others to do so by avoiding unnecessary talk […]
Sign of Peace
In the early Church, the ordinary greeting of the faithful to one another, as well as in liturgical functions, was an exchange of the kiss of peace (Pax). Four times St. Paul wrote: “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; Rom. 16:16). Likewise, St. Peter: “Greet […]
The Sanctity of God’s House
A Catholic church is not a mere building or meetinghouse, nor a platform or pulpit; it is a temple in which there is an altar. The altar is erected for sacrifice, the church is built as a sacred dwelling for the altar and for the celebration of Mass; the priest is consecrated for the service […]