Fr. Louis Guardiola, C.P.M.

The Mass cannot be understood apart from Calvary, of which it is a re-presentation, continuation, memorial and effective application of the merits gained by Christ.

The re-presentation means that because Christ is really present in His humanity, in heaven and on the altar, He is capable now as on Good Friday, of freely offering Himself on the altar. He can no longer die because He has a glorified body, but the essence remains the same.

The Mass is also a memorial. Christ’s death is commemorated not only as an psychological remembrance but as an mystical reality. He voluntarily offers Himself, the eternal High Priest, as He really did on Calvary.

The Mass is furthermore a sacred banquet or paschal meal. The banquet aspect of the Mass is the reception of Holy Communion by the Priest and the lay faithful, when the same Christ who offers Himself to the Father as a sacrifice then gives Himself to the faithful as their heavenly food. It was this fact that inspired the Holy See, after The Second Vatican Council, to restore the practice of receiving communion under both kinds for all the faithful. “The entire tradition of the Church teaches that the faithful participate more perfectly in the Eucharistic celebration through sacramental Communion. By communion, in fact, the faithful share more fully in the Eucharistic sacrifice. In this way they are not limited to sharing in the sacrifice by faith and prayer, nor to merely spiritual communion with Christ offered on the altar, but to receive Christ Himself sacramentally, so as the receive more fruitfully the fruits of this most holy sacrifice. In order that that the fullness of the sign may be seen more fully by the faithful, The Second Vatican Council prescribed that in certain cases, to be decided by the Holy See, the faithful should receive Holy Communion under both species.” Sacramental Communion, June 29, 1970).

 

About Fr. Lou Guardiola

Father Louis was born March 23rd, 1953 into a Mexican-American family in Detroit, Michigan. He has been a member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima since 1967. He attended Loyola University of Chicago, graduating Cum Laude in Scholastic Philosophy and Classical languages in 1976, having studied four years of Latin and five years of Greek. He taught Religious Education for many years in Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky and Connecticut as a layperson, novice, religious brother, Deacon and Priest. He studied under Fr. John Hardon as a Lay Catechist for seven years (1989-96) assisting him in research for his articles, books, and catechisms and in coordinating conferences with bishops and cardinals. Father Louis entered religious life with the Fathers of Mercy in 1996. He studied at Holy Apostles Seminary 1997-2001, graduating with M.A. in Divinity and M.A. in Theology, Magna cum Laude and class valedictorian. He was ordained May 31st, 2001, then assigned as assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart Church and interim Pastor of St. Peter?s church 2001-2. Father now resides at the Fathers of Mercy Generalate in South Union, Kentucky when he is not preaching missions, retreats and 40 hours devotions. Fr. Louis, and other members of the congregation, in conjunction with The Real Presence Association , is available to: Come to your parish as Eucharistic Speakers to promote Perpetual Adoration and Education Come to your parish to conduct a 40 hours devotion Come to your parish to conduct a week-long Eucharistic mission or retreat