One of the major problems at any Mass attended by large numbers of people seems to be how to give Holy Communion to the faithful. I've noticed this at places like Aylesford, but most of all it is something of a problem at Lourdes, particularly at the International Mass. Watching people converge on the nearest priest from all directions makes me intensely uncomfortable. On one occasion, I saw a priest spin round on the spot, giving Communion practically in a circle round himself. Sometimes the line for Communion resembles a rugby scrum more than people going up to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
I had assumed that this was due to the large numbers, and that the actual queues for Communion would never be reverent, no matter how reverent the individuals might wish to be.
This video, taken at Lourdes by Fr. Tim, proves otherwise...
Another few points to note: young people (lots of them) totally engaged by the liturgy. No liturgical dance. No clowns. No guitars. Lots of Latin. And plainchant. And polyphony.
(And no serviettes, napkins or stealth priestesses, despite the large number of women and girls present in the congregation!)
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