The once-great state of Kansas, my home, is currently besieged by the enemies of Christ. During the early morning hours of Saturday, March 15th, a Satanist broke into St. Patrick Catholic Church here in Wichita, beheading statues, destroying votive candles, and desecrating the sacred space with hate speech. Among the graffiti was allegedly a link to a Satanic web-page, along with what appeared to be blood smeared on the baptismal font. Thankfully, the vandal was unable to steal any consecrated hosts from the tabernacle. Wichita Police, assisted by the ATF, FBI, and Wichita Fire, were able to apprehend a 23 year old man suspected to be responsible for the sacrilege.
This attack comes just 2 weeks before Satanists plan on holding a Black Mass at the state capitol building in Topeka. These people are permitted to desecrate our Lord’s body on public property in full view of the world. Christ tells us that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). He cannot create; he can only corrupt the good things the Lord our God has given to us. These attacks – as pathetic as they are – should serve to remind the faithful of a few things:
I. Christ is Truly Present in the Eucharist
The devil does not waste his time attacking that which is powerless. Notice that Satanists specifically target the Eucharist, insisting upon using Catholic hosts in their wicked rituals. Even if they cannot articulate why, they know what the Church has always taught; the Eucharist is really, truly, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our dearly beloved Lord, Jesus Christ. Their father, the father of lies, takes particular delight in assailing the Catholic Church and her faithful because it is true.
II. The Black Mass and Abortion: Distortions of the Sacred
The Black Mass is only one of Satan’s mockeries of the sacraments. Another is abortion. Satan and his minions seek only to pollute the sacred. This may be clearest when looking at the way they pervert the words of our Lord during the institution of the Eucharist “This is my body” (Luke 22:19). In the holy sacrifice of the mass, Christ offers His own body for the salvation of the world. Abortion takes these sacred words and twists them in order to justify the mutilation and murder of the unborn, replacing the spotless Pascal Lamb with an innocent child as the sacrificial victim.
For those interested, I can go into greater detail comparing the holy sacrifice of the mass with the wicked act of abortion, but at this moment I simply cannot bear it.
Both of these attacks, whether the desecration of the Eucharist or the destruction of unborn life give focus, among other aspects, to the body. Do not fall into the error of believing the body is merely a shell for your soul. Your body is not like a drone simply being piloted by your soul. You are as much your body as you are your soul. Pope Benedict XVI said “The body, too, is part of the personal self and is not merely an instrument at the service of the soul.” (Spe Salvi). The idea that the body is unimportant is derived from the 3rd century heresy of Manichaeism, which has been condemned by the Church.
III. Protecting the Eucharist
The usual and common form for the reception of the Eucharist is on one’s tongue. One reason for this is that it helps to minimize the likelihood of particles of the consecrated host, Jesus Christ, falling on the ground to be trampled under foot. Another reason is for preventing the enemies of Christ from stealing consecrated hosts. If you insist upon receiving our Lord in the hand, do so directly in front of the person administering Him to you. DO NOT walk away before placing our Lord in your mouth. Satanists have been known to enter communion lines, take our Lord in their hands, and slip him into their pocket for later desecration. This is particularly easy for them to do in parishes where the faithful are lax in proper participation of the Paschal Feast.
The Catholic faith, rich in rituals and tradition, can easily become routine if we allow ourselves to go through the motions. It can be easy to show up to Mass, follow along passively, and receive our Lord without a second thought. DO NOT fall into this temptation. Actively participate in the holy sacrifice of the Mass and be fully mindful of Christ’s presence.
Catholics who receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin not only risk profaning the body of Christ but also bring eternal judgment upon themselves:
“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself” (1 Corinthians 11:27,29).
This scriptural warning is further affirmed by the Church’s teachings throughout history. At the Council of Trent, the Church declared:
“If anyone says that the wicked who are in mortal sin and have not repented, even though they be contrite, may receive the sacrament of the Eucharist, let him be anathema.”
(Council of Trent, Session 13, Canon 11)
St. Augustine, the Doctor of Grace, also warns us against the improper reception of the Eucharist:
“For it was not the mouthful given by the Lord that was the poison to Judas. And yet he took it; and when he took it, the enemy entered into him: not because he received an evil thing, but because he being evil received a good thing in an evil way. See ye then, brethren, that you eat the heavenly bread in a spiritual sense; bring innocence to the altar. Though your sins are daily, at least let them not be deadly.”
(Tractate 26:11)
A Call to Action:
Beloved, in light of these recent sacrileges and profanities, my bishop, the Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme has requested the faithful in our diocese to fast and pray. These attacks on our Lord and upon His Church demand a response – not one of fear, but one of faith. The power of prayer and fasting cannot be overstated; our dear Lord Himself tells us some evils “cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).
On behalf of my diocese and my state, I implore you to join us. Offer your prayers, penances, and sacrifices in reparation for these grave offenses against our Lord. Pray that those who perpetuate these profanities be converted, Pray for the strength of the faithful in Kansas and beyond, that we may stand firm in defense of Christ and His Church. Let us unite in faith and love, knowing that the victory has already been won.
“And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
(John 1:5)
“But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 15:57)
The Catholic Distributist 
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