HOLY DARKNESS (Inspired by St. John of the Cross) by Dan Schutte with Lyrics

"HOLY DARKNESS" (Inspired by St. John of the Cross) by Dan Schutte is a song inspired by St. John of the Cross and drom the album "Prayers from the Upper Room" and performed by Sr. Bubbles Bandojo, RC and Sr. Susay Valdez, RC and used in a Communion hymn and Lenten hymn during the Memorial of St. John of the Cross (December 14).

According to the Catholic Church doctrine receiving the Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin is sinful and only those who are in a state of grace, that is, without any mortal sin, can receive it.[69] Based on 1 Corinthians 11:27–29 it affirms the following: "Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession."[70][71][72]

The faithful receive Communion kneeling or standing, as decided by the Episcopal Conference.[73] For instance, the United States Episcopal Conference has decreed that "Holy Communion is to be received standing, though individual members of the faithful may choose to receive Communion while kneeling",[74] while that for England and Wales says: "In the dioceses of England and Wales Holy Communion is to be received standing, though individual members of the faithful may choose to receive Communion while kneeling. However, when they communicate standing, it is recommended that the faithful bow in reverence before receiving the Sacrament.[75]

The distributing minister says "The Body of Christ" or "The Blood of Christ",[76] or "The Body and Blood of Christ" if both are distributed together (by intinction).[77] The communicant responds: "Amen." In most countries the communicant may receive the consecrated Host either on the tongue or in the hand, at the communicant's own discretion. If in the hand they should step aside and reverently consume the Host immediately.[78]

While Communion is distributed, singing of an appropriate approved chant or hymn is recommended, to emphasize the essentially "communitarian" nature of the body of Christ.[79] If there is no singing, a short antiphon may be recited either by the congregation or by some of them or by a lector. Otherwise, the priest himself recites it just before distributing Communion.[80]

"The sacred vessels are purified by the priest, the deacon, or an instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass, insofar as possible at the credence table."[81] Then the priest concludes the Liturgy of the Eucharist with the Prayer after Communion, for which the faithful are invited to stand.