I mean WHAT SPECIFIC REASONS were given for requesting it in the first place? (Original Latin text here, see pp. Receiving the host in one's hand has been an option in the United States since the bishops authorized this in May 1977 and the Holy See confirmed it. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. That said, there are dimensions to this discussion that I think are both valuable and havent been given much screen time overall. Communion on the Tongue Is an Apostolic Tradition [11] In East Syria (what we would now call the Middle East) we have evidence from Ephrem the Syrian[12] and Narsai. If one is receiving in the hand the following is normative: upon approaching the minister of the Host extend the hands in the middle of the chest. More people have received Communion in the past century. What some call discipleship, others evangelizationnew or whatever, or some speak of discernment and application of spiritual gifts. Dear Patrick, If, for some reason, the communicant is not able or willing to drink from the cup then that person should receive only under the form of bread. Jeffrey T. Wickes FotC 130 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2015). They would find many more areas we all need to work on than just their main focus. Maybe this is due to its similarity to practices in most Protestant churches, many of which (Anglicans and Lutherans notwithstanding) fundamentally dont believe in a sacramental Communion substance. [22] Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on Faith 10, trans. The liturgical assembly of the baptized that comes together for the celebration of the Eucharist is a witness to, a manifestation of, the pilgrim Church. It was designed: 1. But we doyes, verily. Scandinavia,October 15 1969 Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. It was proved that belief in the Real Presence is abysmal. Over the years I have read a multitude of opinions for and against, and occasionally perceived false arguments. For real reception of the Blessed Eucharist it is required that the sacred species be received into the stomach. For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord ( John 6:58 ). Q. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. Ive updated the post. Finally, to the end that their coming to this heavenly table may be completely worthy and fruitful, the faithful should be instructed on its benefits and effects, for both the individual and society, so that their familial relationship to the Father who gives us our daily bread, may reflect the highest reverence for him, nurture love, and lead to a living bond with Christ, in whose flesh and blood we share. It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. Receiving Communion - Prayer & Spiritual Life - Greek Orthodox Our bishops have argued that Communion in the hand is the proper way for the faithful to respond to our Lord's invitation: "All of you, take and eat this." What the bishops overlook is the fact . Communion in the hand was officially permitted in the United States in 1977, following an indult that is, special permission given by the Congregation for Divine Sacraments in 1969. Here in India Communion is distributed both on tongue and in hand. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling - Vatican.va 895. [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. Does anyone have an explanation for why France, Germany, and the Low Countries were not quickly regularized once the opportunity was available? Thanks for this, Dennis. Instruction on the Manner of Distributing Holy Communion Maybe this is due to decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments. So it is not just tiresome traditionalists who worry about particles. The problem of lack of reverence stems not from the manner of receiving Communion but from the lack of faith, awe, and gratitude before this great mystery. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. Pope Paul Vl approved this Instruction, confirmed it with his authority, and ordered its publication, setting the day of publication as its effective date. On reverence for the Eucharist and belief in the Real Presence among Catholic laity has greatly declined I dont think this has ever been proven. The faithful must be taught that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and that therefore the worship of latria or adoration belonging to God is owed to Christ present in this sacrament. Ruff, I think we both agree that internal reverence is the most important aspect of this discussion (and therefore the ways each manner serves that) and I know many reverent people who do both. [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. Because, he says, one should choose the days on which one lives with more purity and self-control in order to approach so great a sacrament worthily. Chad, 18 September 1969 North Africa,October 15 1969 What if we were passionate about all that? The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 In light of some genuinely moving testimonies on the merits of reception in the hand, we cannot ignore that reverence for the Eucharist and belief in the Real Presence among Catholic laity has greatly declined since around the time in which this practice reenterred the Roman Rite after a millennium of absence. It is still the practice of millions of committed Latin-rite Catholics all over the world and of many Eastern Churches who administer the Eucharist under both species on the tongue. At Christ's invitation, extended by the priest acting in Christ's person: "Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb," the members of the community move forward to share in the sacred meal, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ which is the sign and the source of their unity. Communion in the hand vs. Communion on the tongue | Crux It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. Pakistan, 29 October 1976 Abuse. Blasphemy. Communion in the hand? Catholic Insight Fr. The manner of receiving holy Communion - Catholic News Agency If one is left-handed this is reversed. However, when they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that the faithful make appropriate reverence, according to the norms established, before receiving the Sacrament. For tell me, if any one gave you grains of gold, would you not hold them with all carefulness, being on your guard against losing any of them, and suffering loss? [21] Theodore of Mopsuestia, catech. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. 160). | Irondale, AL 35210 |. Your email address will not be published. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. I make no judgment about who is guilty of this- I dont know most of the people by far and am in no position to judge. Many of us would treat your claims skeptically as unsupported rumor and gossip. This catechesis must succeed in excluding any suggestion that in the mind of the Church there is a lessening of faith in the eucharistic presence and in excluding as well any danger or hint of danger of profaning the Eucharist. I am from India. These views are sometimes strongly held. Church Life Journal I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. Permission for administering Communion in the hand was granted by the Holy See to the following countries and regions under Pope Paul VI:[UPDATED 3-2-18], Belgium, 31 May 1969 His blood now flows through our veins. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church: Receiving Communion 1. Can you direct me to where you obtained this list? 5. The Communion Procession is an action of the Body of Christ. Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. Middle Africa, 3 February 1970 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. The way we communicate the Gospel message is almost as important as the Gospel itself. Surveys from CARA and Pew reflect this, though I admittedly doubted them until I attended mass with a fellow Catholic at church that predominantly received on the tongue and my friend jeering remarked, why dont they receive in the hand like normal people? I have celebrated Mass in places where there is no Communion in the hand and yet have observed some people approach the Eucharist in a slovenly and distracted manner with nary a trace of reverence in sight. St. Ever since the InstructionMemoriale Dominithree years ago, some of the conferences of bishops have been requesting the Apostolic See for the faculty to allow ministers distributing communion to place the eucharistic bread in the hand of the faithful. So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest you lose any portion thereof; for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members. The Eucharist may not be received while a person has mortal sin in their soul. Basil the Great, 330-379 stated, "The right to receive Holy Communion in the hand is permitted only in times of persecution." This statement may very well have been made in response to St. Cyril of Jerusalem in 348. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. These practices have wide evidence of use and in some ways never died out completely. Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. God has come to live in us. The way you put it, it doesnt sound obsessive-compulsive but salutary. To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church. From the historical point of view, we can say that there is strong evidence that the practice existed in early centuries in some areas of the Church. A letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship to presidents of bishops conferences on May 29, 1969: AAS 61 (1969) 546-547; Notitiae 5 (1969) 351-353: In reply to the request of your conference of bishops regarding permission to give communion by placing the host on the hand of the faithful, I wish to communicate the following. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. The option must not turn out to be the occasion for regarding it as ordinary bread or as just another religious article., I feel this is a underrated point in recent discussions on the reception of Holy Communion, both here on PT and elsewhere. The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, "The Body of Christ." I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. On the other hand, this mode of communion is not anywhere associated with lay involvement or accessibility, nor is it thought to de-emphasize the role of the priest. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. PDF Instructions on Receiving Holy Communion with Proper Reverence For you hear the words, the Body of Christ and respond Amen. Be then a member of the Body of Christ that your Amen may be true (St. Augustine, Sermon 272: PL 38, 1247). As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. October 13, 2022. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. They are also to be instructed not to omit after communion the sincere and appropriate thanksgiving that is in keeping with their individual capacities, state, and occupation. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. 96). For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. The missal of 1570 eliminated almost all sequences and moved the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar to the beginning of the Order of Mass though the Council of Trent never said a word about either. Fast forward to 2004, when The Congregation for Divine Worship in its new Instruction named Redemptionis Sacramentum, stated: "Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand the sacred host is to be administered . In the context of the reception of Communion, this means a cognizance of both Church history and contemporary cultural nuances. Never receive Holy Communion in the hand when your hands are impeded; e.g., carrying a cane or some other walking-assistance device, carrying a child in your arms, carrying a purse, have a tissue or handkerchief in your hand, have a cast on your hand, etc. It is always helpful to review instructions for receiving Communion. The infamous coffee cup masses Dorothy Day describes in her book may have had good intentions behind them, but the way they appeared to trivialize the Holy Sacrifice of the mass lent no dignity to the then new Pauline mass. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Church in Europe struggled mightilyand some might say in futilityagainst centuries of violence, sect on sect, nation vs nation. Monaco, 31 October 1969 Im skeptical of the claim that collecting absentee ballots for bishops conference votes is unlawful. St. The wind has left our sails and many of us are adrift on uncertain seas. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. We are the Body of Christ, moving forward to receive the Christ who makes us one with himself and with one another. Documentation: Approval of Communion in the Hand under - PrayTellBlog [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (Jn 17:21). I do make the point that reverence, while important, is not the only or most important aspect of Communion. This is in no way meant to refer to those who, receiving the Lord Jesus in the hand, do so with profound reverence and devotion, in those countries where this practice has been authorized.. As further documentation,Pray Tell provides this excerpt from the 2002General Instruction of the Roman Missal in Latin and English on the reception of Communion. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. It also happens, on occasion, that the free choice of those who prefer to continue the practice of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue is not taken into account in those places where the distribution of Communion in the hand has been authorized. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah 21. 5. If we follow the example of the Fathers, we will prioritize practices that prevent the dropping of the Eucharist and catechizing communicants not to receive in a state of mortal sin. A passage from St. Cyril of Jerusalem is used to persuade Catholics that Communion in the hand is an ancient practice legitimately restored after Vatican II. St. In this way, the practice of Communion in the hand is different from other liturgical elements restored after centuries of disuse, such as the prayer of the faithful and the exchange of peace. Another will say the opposite; he says, On the contrary, if the wound of sin and the attack of the disease is in fact so great that such medicines need to be postponed, one ought to be removed from the altar by the authority of the bishop in order to do penance, and one ought to be reconciled by the same authority. Jamaica, 12 March 1970 It is difficult for some of us to embrace this emphasis on Mass as the action of a community rather than an individual act of my own faith and piety, but it is important that we make every effort to do so. . For whatever reason, reception on the hand does not appear to convey the same level of reverence in the public consciousness as reception on the tongue. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better prepared groups and in favorable settings. Battered Gargoyles & The Human Future - Rod Dreher's Diary 896. Most often when speaking of reverence, however, the Fathers emphasize two main things: 1) that every precaution should be taken lest the Eucharist fall to the ground and 2) that communicants should be from serious sin and quarrels with other Christians. Blog Staff and Editorial Advisory Committee, http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion, http://www.cultodivino.va/content/cultodivino/it/rivista-notitiae/indici-annate.html, From the Wires: U.S. Catholic Priests Are Increasingly Conservative as Faithful Grow More Liberal, Yale Organ Week: Now Accepting Applications, The North American Academy of Liturgy, 2023, New Open-Access, Ecumenical Journal Powered by the University of Vienna, Is the Eucharistic Revival a Liturgical Revival (Part 2), What Did Jesus Know? 91). The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed, in the hand, the choice lying with the communicant. Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. So when received unworthily, it is not only useless, but it is harmful to oneself (a lifestyle of sin continues), our neighbors (increase of violence, arson, looting, murders), and society in general (take a look at the condition of our country), and is extremely offensive to God (hence the wide-spread suffering). James Shapiro, a literature prof at Columbia, says the situation is catastrophic: One reason was the way of the world. I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. This is more a question of moral theology than of liturgy. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Catholics want to know if it is allowed for their bishops and priests to require Communion be received only on in the hand instead of on the tongue. This formula should not be altered, as it is a proclamation which calls for a response of faith on the part of the one who receives. St. Cyril of Jerusalem in 348 gave this instruction to his congregation:When you approach Holy Communion, make the left hand into a throne for the right, which will receive the King.
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