EWTN’s televised Mass was interrupted yesterday when an unidentified man screaming “this is it!” approached the altar and had to be forcibly removed by EWTN security.

The Catholic New Agency (CNA) is reporting on the incident which occurred during the 7:00 a.m. morning Mass on November 4 which was being celebrated by Father Wade Menezes. Just as Father was lifting the chalice during the consecration, the man rushed forward, shouting “this is it!” and began screaming profanities. He was quickly apprehended by the network’s security personnel.

No one was injured in the scuffle.

The man, whose name has not been released, was briefly detained by Irondale police. He has been ordered to stay away from the premises and was issued a warning for trespassing.

“We ask that our EWTN family keep this individual in their prayers,” said EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw in a Nov. 4 statement.

In his report of the incident, Deacon Greg Kandra commended Father Menezes for his composure during the episode.

“I have to say: The priest, the Rev. Wade Menezes, did an exceptional job of maintaining his composure during what must have been a terrifying moment. Briefly rattled, he calmly went back to repeat the words of consecration over the wine during a Eucharistic Prayer that had been so shockingly (and vulgarly) interrupted. This was, literally, grace under pressure.”

He added: “It was something I’m sure he’ll never forget — and neither will those who saw it.”

In these troubled times, “even God’s house can be a battlefield,” the Deacon warns. “These days, every one who steps onto that battlefield and into that sanctuary faces risks that were unimaginable a generation or two ago.”

A video of the event can be reviewed here.

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