South Africa, 1971 It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. Receiving Holy Communion | EWTN 2. It may well be the case that the sudden change in practice after Vatican II decreased devotion towards the Eucharist and belief in the true presence, and it may well be the case that there were bad actors who in fact desired this result. All rights reserved. Communion on the tongue is recommended and considered the most consonant way to receive the Eucharist, while Communion on the hand is permitted, provided that certain precautions are observed, such as checking to see if any fragments of the Host remain on the palm of the hand. I similarly think Cardinal Sarahs frankly ridiculous comments about Lucifer are draining credibility from his cause (one that I admittedly align with sometimes), even if some of his proposals are good ones. Pope Benedict was asked why he chose to distribute Communion only to those kneeling and on the tongue and he responded, because it highlights "the truth of the real presence [of Christ] in the Eucharist, helps the devotion . Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. Im not aware of that limitation and would like to see proper documentation. These considerations can perhaps help balance our perspective (whether in favor or against the practice of communion in the hand), and alert us to the fact that reverence is a complex phenomenon that, of course, does involve postures of the body, but most importantly, the attitude of the heart. Part 4. We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. The author seems to think that liturgical reforms should consist of only what an ecumenical council prescribed. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive. The Church understands the Communion Procession, in fact every procession in liturgy, as a sign of the pilgrim Church, the body of those who believe in Christ, on their way to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church: Receiving Communion Hence, my theory is that the wide granting of the indult exceeded its initially intended scope as continued prompting from advisors and larger-than-anticipated requests from conferences overcame the popes reluctance. The bishop, however, might sometimes deal with the religious priest through his superior in these matters. I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. It was designed: 1. Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. 915). Chad, 18 September 1969 The practice of communion on the tongue with the use of patens in the West, and in both kinds on a spoon with a drop cloth in the East, moreover, are natural developments from the concern of the Early Church to prevent Eucharistic mishaps. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. This is more a question of moral theology than of liturgy. Djibouti, 6 March 1970 awr. There is a twofold purpose here: that none will find in the new rite anything disturbing to personal devotion toward the Eucharist; that this sacrament, the source, and cause of unity by its very nature, will not become an occasion of discord between members of the faithful. Malaysia and Singapore, 3 October 1977, * * * * *. 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. A quick example will be found . Unless there is a sense of discipleship rooted in baptism. Personally, I think that when a priest with the care of souls holds the view that Communion on the tongue is preferable to the alternative practice, then the best thing he can do is inform the faithful of the bishops permission. Follow-up: Objecting to Communion in the Hand (10-16-2018), Pursuant to my reflections on Communion in the hand (October 2), a reader from France claimed that It is totally justified to claim that Communion in the hand is necessarily less reverent or inevitably leads to abuses. At the same time he has taken into account the reasons given to support your request and the outcome of the vote taken on this matter. [5] John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent 28. A situation that, in the US certainly, was not necessarily governed by external uniformity (given the varieties of ethnic piety and cultural practices). Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. (Catholic Encyclopedia: Genuflexion) [25] Origen of Alexandria, homily in Ex. Receiving communion in the hand was the common practice of the Church in both East and West for the first 800 years of Christianity, and it was certainly considered reverent by the Fathers. We would also do well to teach, as the Fathers do, that reverence is not only about proper reception of the Eucharist, but also about living the kind of life to which the Eucharist commits us. To commemorate the death of Christ: "This do in remembrance of me." 2. Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion. 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. However, he should not refuse to administer Communion to those faithful desirous of availing themselves of a legitimate authorization. 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. The usage of communion in the hand must be accompanied by relevant instruction or catechesis on Catholic teaching regarding Christs real and permanent presence under the eucharistic elements and the proper reverence toward this sacrament. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. Debunking the myth that today's Communion in the hand - LifeSite 5. Early Christian Communion in the Hand | Church Life Journal 6. [20] Cyril of Jerusalem, myst. Instead, this option must increase in them a consciousness of the dignity of the members of Christs Mystical Body, into which they are incorporated by baptism and by the grace of the Eucharist. Reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament | The Fatima Center 86). After receiving Communion our bodies become holy chalices. can. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. Is it okay to recieve Communion in the hand? - Catholic Online [6] In Syria (what we now call Turkey and surrounding regions) it is witnessed by Basil the Great,[7] John Chrysostom,[8] Theodore of Mopsuestia,[9] John Damascene[10] and the Council of Constantinople in Trullo (also called the Quinisext council). Christ himself at the Last Supper pleaded with his Father: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us" (John 17:11, 21).Baptism has joined us to Christ and to one another as the vine and its branches. 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. More people have received Communion in the past century. It is clear that this mode of reception was considered reverent and was to be carried out in a reverent manner. Their decisions should be sent to Rome to receive the necessary confirmation, []. The document does not have numbered paragraphs to cite, but youll find it a few paragraphs after the tabulation of votes collected from bishops. In North Africa (including Egypt) the practice is mentioned by Tertullian,[1] Cyprian,[2] Augustine,[3] Cyril of Alexandria,[4] and John Climacus. There is a twofold purpose here: that none will find in the new rite anything disturbing to personal devotion toward the Eucharist; that this sacrament, the source and cause of unity by its very nature, will not become an occasion of discord between members of the faithful. Church Life Journal 5. 161. Even if we presume the authenticity of the text we still do not know how long the practice lasted, whether leavened or unleavened bread was used and whether the practice was exclusive to the Church of Jerusalem. Q. [] It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated Bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves. The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, "The Body of Christ." Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. But one should not by his own judgment abstain from or return to communion, as he pleases. This article has been selected from the ZENIT Daily Dispatch Innovative Media, Inc. ZENIT International News Agency Via della Stazione di Ottavia, 95 00165 Rome, Italywww.zenit.org, To subscribe http://www.zenit.org/english/subscribe.html or email: english-request@zenit.org with SUBSCRIBE in the "subject" field, Provided Courtesy of: Eternal Word Television Network 5817 Old Leeds Road Irondale, AL 35210www.ewtn.com, HOME - EWTNews - FAITH - TELEVISION - RADIO - LIBRARY - MULTIMEDIAWHAT'S NEW - GENERAL - RELIGIOUS CATALOGUE - PILGRIMAGES - ESPAOL, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. My overarching point in all this (as someone who receives comfortably in both manners) is that I dont think common concerns with reception in the hand have been treated with adequate seriousness by many its defenders. But is the impression they give generally correct? Battered Gargoyles & The Human Future - Rod Dreher's Diary Interestingly, during the Middle Ages, the reception of Holy Communion was restricted to "on the tongue" because of abuses. So whats missing? It was proved that belief in the Real Presence is abysmal. How to Properly Receive Communion on the Hands - catholiclegion Sure, Ill go along with that. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). A perception such as this is a dreadfully inaccurate and impoverished understanding of what is a significant religious action. Finally, the fact that the Communion Procession is a profoundly religious action tells us something about the way in which we should participate in this procession. This is the quote that is always used: " make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. in Eph 3, trans. 13.3, trans. 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. John Paul II and Mother Theresa on Communion in the Hand Aaron, It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. The author claims that Communion in the hand could only be authorized in countries where it was an established practice but doesnt give a citation. In the United States, the body of Bishops has determined that "[t]he norm is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling"and that a bow is the act of reverence made by those receiving (no. Maybe this is due to decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments. Father, as to the limitation on what regions might request this indult, Memoriale Domini stipulated that Where a contrary usage, that of placing holy communion on the hand, prevails, the Holy See [] lays on those conferences the task of weighing carefully whatever special circumstances may exist there []. When the communion is distributed under both kinds, it is never permitted to place in the hands of the communicants hosts which have first been placed in the Blood of the Lord. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 3). divine life. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it
Some scholars claim that this part of the Mystical Catechesis is not originally from St. Cyril but a later interpolation into the text. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. A: The answer to this question is somewhat complex. Leo P. McCauley FotC 64 (Catholic University of America Press: Washington, DC, 2000 [1970]). The way we communicate the Gospel message is almost as important as the Gospel itself. The US might have been little-touched by the scorched earth of world war, and perhaps our feel-good stance astride the planet delayed the decay somewhat. It preserves us from mortal sin by exciting us to greater fervor and strengthening us against temptation. Churches are closing, priests are dying off, masses young people are dropping their faith, and the Church is slowly slipping into obscurity in its own homeland. This norm is supported by an Instruction by the Holy See regarding the Eucharist: "In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that 'sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them'(Code of Canon Law, can. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. This is a fundamental misunderstanding. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite.
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