William Percy, a poet who...
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William Percy, a poet who lived in the early 20th century, tells of an incident from his teenage years. A Roman Catholic, he was strongly religious and had thought seriously of becoming a priest.
One afternoon, he had gone to confession in preparation for Holy Communion the next morning. That evening, however, he lost his temper at someone and gave a sharp answer. His conscience bothered him greatly about this and he passed a bad night worrying how he could receive Communion in the morning with this "sin" upon him.
The mass was already in progress when he entered the church the next morning, so Percy had no opportunity to ask the priest what he should do. When the time came to commune, Percy remained in his seat, completely miserable. After the priest had given the elements to the others, he realized that Percy was missing and motioned to him to come forward. Percy went to the rail and knelt, feeling alone and conspicuous. As the priest bent over him with the consecrated bread, Percy whispered, "I can't take Communion," and then rose and returned to his seat.
After the service, the priest called the conscience-stricken young man aside and demanded an explanation, which Percy gave. The priest replied, "Ach! Don't act like a fool. Kneel. Say an act of contrition." When the boy complied, the pastor placed a Communion wafer in Percy's mouth.
Percy reports that despite what the priest had said, he still worried that he should not have received Communion that day. (From Percy's book, Lanterns on the Levee.)
One afternoon, he had gone to confession in preparation for Holy Communion the next morning. That evening, however, he lost his temper at someone and gave a sharp answer. His conscience bothered him greatly about this and he passed a bad night worrying how he could receive Communion in the morning with this "sin" upon him.
The mass was already in progress when he entered the church the next morning, so Percy had no opportunity to ask the priest what he should do. When the time came to commune, Percy remained in his seat, completely miserable. After the priest had given the elements to the others, he realized that Percy was missing and motioned to him to come forward. Percy went to the rail and knelt, feeling alone and conspicuous. As the priest bent over him with the consecrated bread, Percy whispered, "I can't take Communion," and then rose and returned to his seat.
After the service, the priest called the conscience-stricken young man aside and demanded an explanation, which Percy gave. The priest replied, "Ach! Don't act like a fool. Kneel. Say an act of contrition." When the boy complied, the pastor placed a Communion wafer in Percy's mouth.
Percy reports that despite what the priest had said, he still worried that he should not have received Communion that day. (From Percy's book, Lanterns on the Levee.)
