For example, there is ample evidence that the exchange of peace between the people was practiced well into the Middle Ages in several European countries. Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. Receiving Communion The Sacrament of Holy Communion (also known as The Lord's Supper or Eucharist) has been precious and life-giving to Christians for 2,000 years. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. What some call discipleship, others evangelizationnew or whatever, or some speak of discernment and application of spiritual gifts. 1. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. While we have the option of receiving holy Communion either on the tongue or on the hand, we must always be mindful of receiving our Lord respectfully. All of us should receive with great reverence and respect. The recent survey asking Catholics about Holy Communion indicates that 70% DO NOT BELIEVE that Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus. Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? However, while this text is undoubtedly ancient evidence of the existence of Communion in the hand, it is, like many patristic texts, fraught with interpretative conundrums. The Church in Europe struggled mightilyand some might say in futilityagainst centuries of violence, sect on sect, nation vs nation. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it 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. A situation that, in the US certainly, was not necessarily governed by external uniformity (given the varieties of ethnic piety and cultural practices). [4] Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John 6.1 and 12.1. 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? 51 (Feb), pg 62). 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.. But is the impression they give generally correct? It describes one of the purposes of the opening song of the Mass as to "foster the unity of those who have been gathered" (no. Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. The Eucharist may not be received while a person has mortal sin in their soul. 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. 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. Paraguay, 27 September 1971 [23], The great and divine Apostle Paul with loud voice calls man created in the image of God, the body and temple of Christ. Or is there more context that is missing? You should thus draw near with great awe and love, according to the greatness of that which is given: with awe, because of the greatness of (its) honour; and with love, because of (its) grace. Pakistan, 29 October 1976 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. This blog is not associated with Pray Tell: An open forum on faith in South Texas. Instead of receiving in my hand, thinking "the other way is better," and quickly gobbling up the Eucharist, I took the "popular way," as a gift: I put my left hand on top of my right . The communicant should audibly respond, "Amen," indicating by that response his or her belief that this small wafer of bread, the wine in this chalice are in reality the body and blood of Christ the Lord. My country is not on this list but holy communion is the norm. For it is a deed fraught with destruction to take the tongue which serve such awesome mysteries, which has become purpled with a blood so precious, which has become a sword of gold and to change its course to abuse, insolence and ribald jests. 6. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by Satan to destroy the Church (ok, probably not that). These practices have wide evidence of use and in some ways never died out completely. II], First, Cyril: Coming up to receive, therefore, do not approach with your wrists extended or your fingers splayed, but making your left hand a throne for the right (for it is about to receive a King) and cupping your palm, so receive the Body of Christ; and answer: Amen.[20], To receive the Sacrament which is given, a person stretches out his right hand, and under it he places the left hand. Theres no simple solution to this issue. 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. There is also evidence that this was a contested subject (i.e., about what sins prevent someone from receiving), as it would continue to be throughout the history of the Church. A perception such as this is a dreadfully inaccurate and impoverished understanding of what is a significant religious action. 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. A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist: The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, "The Body of Christ." Of note for the modern debate, both John Chrysostom and the Council of Constantinople in Trullo argue that human beings, made in the image of God and capable of communing with him, are more worthy to touch the Eucharist than vessels of gold and silver. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. 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. Under the moral aspect will be considered, in reference to Holy Communion: necessity; subject; dispositions. From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. The General Instruction asks each country's Conference of Bishops to determine the posture to be used for the reception of Communion and the act of reverence to be made by each person as he or she receives Communion. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. 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. Was changing the mode reception of Communion one of them? Eccl., VII, ix). Sure, Ill go along with that. 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. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? A priest who is not directly responsible for the care of souls should be even more respectful of local practice. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). The way you put it, it doesnt sound obsessive-compulsive but salutary. But one should not by his own judgment abstain from or return to communion, as he pleases. awr. No wonder so many people there have given up on Christianity. Dear Patrick, Madagascar 2 March 1970 Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. Aaron, this describes what the countries are to do where Communion in the hand was being practiced. Therefore I stand by what I wrote in the original: In this context I think it is fair to say that the present practice of Communion in the hand is not a simple restoration of a historical custom but rather introduced a new practice in new circumstances which, while it has some historical justification, is essentially motivated by current pastoral concerns in some parts of the world.. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. The list obviously is not complete, for this article says that Germany and France both received permission from the Holy See on the same day in 1969: I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. To that which you are you respond Amen (yes, it is true!) and by responding to it you assent to it. [19] This list is by no means exhaustive, and it would be tedious to cite all of these references as a catalog, but let us turn to a few of them to see what the Fathers have to say about the meaning of this practice. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? Elizabeth Klein is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the, The Abandoned: Toward a Christocentric Phenomenology of Prayer, The Conclusion of Karl Rahner's Dissertation on the Origin of the Church from the Side Wound of the Crucified Christ. Cyril of Jerusalem and Theodore of Mopsuestia liken the practice to that of receiving a king, and both of them note the method of reception was in joined hands (also described in other sources as hands in the form of a cross). My sense is that if theres something demonic in all this it is the Galatians moment in which many Catholics find themselves, especially those on the traditional side. Bishops allowing introduction of the new way of receiving communion are requested to send to this Congregation after six months a report on the result of its concession.. 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. [2] 2 Accept Communion in a state of grace. 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. I did an internet search about the history of communion in the hand in the U.S. and the only thing I found was an article by the NLM. 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. The restorers of the rite probably had the beautiful simplicity and symbolism of the medieval rite in mind but did not take the changed circumstances sufficiently into account. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the Eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. Q: When the bishop in a diocese allows the faithful to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue, can a priest, who objects on the grounds of conscience, refuse to give the faithful holy Communion in the hand? Some of the online advocates of kneeling/tongue seem to focus only on adoration of the Real Presence and now a cardinal has said that those who receive standing in the hand most Catholics by far! England and Wales, 6 March 1976 (I dont direct this at you, I mean it to everyone on all sides.). vehementer hortatur retention of current practice while invoking the common good of the Church. Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. 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. 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. I used the wordnecessarilyas an equivalent to in and of itself. There is no inherent reason why Communion in the hand is less reverent. Pray Tell here documents two statements of the Congregation for Divine Worship issued under Pope Paul VI. Please take responsibility for the lies, the bile, and the sinful stuff. In defending his push to give Communion to grave sinners, McElroy reiterated his belief that conscience has the "privileged place" over doctrine in decision-making and suggested that it can . [16] Liturgical evidence from Rome is always sparser than one would like, but Eusebius preserves a mention of communion in the hand in a letter written from Dionysius of Alexandria to Sixtus I, bishop of Rome,[17] and in a letter of Cornelius, bishop of Rome. Reverence can be good if it opens us to God & neighbor and makes us more loving. . enough bread and wine are made ready for the communication of the faithful at each Mass.45 As a general rule, Holy Communion is given from hosts . [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. [16] Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 4.24. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. Thanks for this, Dennis. I think youre right that, without an explicitly limiting clause, there is no canonically binding restriction to those countries, and that the subsequent granting of dispensation ultimately belied such restriction. 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? The author seems to think that liturgical reforms should consist of only what an ecumenical council prescribed. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. Required fields are marked *. in Eph 3, trans. [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). In this he shows a great fear, and since the hand that is stretched out holds a higher rank, it is the one that is extended for receiving the body of the King, and the other hand bears and brings its sister hand, while not thinking that it is playing the role of a servant, as it is equal with it in honour, on account of the bread of the King, which is also borne by it. 86). 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 []. Church Life Journal The communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. It is simply reading too much into this practice, and it is not correct to support something one favors by denigrating another practice. In fact, each time we move forward together to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord, we join the countless ranks of all the baptized who have gone before us, our loved ones, the canonized and uncanonized saints down through the ages, who at their time in history formed a part of this mighty stream of believers. Still, while not the direction eventually taken, I believe restriction to be the more natural reading of the Vaticans intent at that moment in time. Middle Africa, 3 February 1970 Part 4. As for decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments, it seems more likely that catechesis has never been better, more Scripture-based, and more soundly theological. Has done A. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. Papua and New Guinea, 28 April 1976 My three hypotheses were less well researched opinions on my part, theyre not (that last one was a joke on Cdl Sarahs comments, sorry if that wasnt clear), but simply launchpoints in an honest discussion on the impact of Pope Pauls Indult, and the circumstances surrounding it, whether or not they hold any real merit. [T]hose who restrict communicants to receive Holy Communion only in the hands are acting against the norms, as are those who refuse to Christ's faithful [the right] to receive Communion in the hand in dioceses that enjoy this indult. [11] In East Syria (what we would now call the Middle East) we have evidence from Ephrem the Syrian[12] and Narsai. This would be done especially if it is very difficult or impossible to fulfill the necessary conditions as outlined in the documents above. SACRED CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP, Letter En reponse a la demande, to presidents of those conferences of bishops petitioning the indult for communion in the hand, 29 May 1969: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 61 (1969) 546-547; Notitiae 5 (1969) 351-353. It was designed: 1. The debate was interrupted by lunch. Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from youSt. The custom of placing the Sacred Particle in the mouth, rather than in the hand of the communicant, dates in Rome from the sixth, and in Gaul from the ninth century (Van der Stappen, IV, 227; cf. The showing of tooth and claw by some traditional-leaning Catholics is a scandal that discourages neighbors, and puts a very ugly face on the Body for others to view. Because those vessels are made so for our sakes. Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. July 2, 2020 ( LifeSiteNews) Many bishops around the world are attempting to compel Catholics, who are in the right dispositions to approach the Holy Eucharist, to receive Our Lord in the. 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. Excelling, therefore, every sensible creature, he who by the saving Passion has attained to the celestial dignity, eating and drinking Christ, is fitted in all respects for eternal life, sanctifying his soul and body by the participation of divine grace. 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. From this brief historical survey, however, we know that this need not be the case, and we can look to the Fathers for a pious example as we seek to foster reverence towards the Eucharist in the liturgy today. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). In the case of communion under both kinds by way of intinction, it is never permitted to place on the hand of the communicant the host that has been dipped in the Lords blood. [15] See the council of Auxerre, canon 36 (it directs women not to receive on their bare hands, but with their hand covered by a cloth). Aaron, http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/truth-about-communion-in-hand-while.html#.Wpa2wdIUnGg. 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. Greg., Dial., I, III, c. iii). To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection. 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. To signify, seal, and apply to believers all the benefits of the new covenant. 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? Take this from someone who receives in the hand sometimes, I would never do it if I thought it was enabling Lucifer to corrupt my soul. 5. Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion. Come see, The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. The option offered to the faithful of receiving the Eucharistic bread in their hand and putting it into their own mouth must not turn out to be the occasion for regarding it as ordinary bread or as just another religious article. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. When we receive Communion, we become members of Christ's Body, the Church. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. Does anyone have an explanation for why France, Germany, and the Low Countries were not quickly regularized once the opportunity was available? In the light of the above, we can come to the heart of the matter as to whether a priest may invoke the question of conscience in order to refuse to distribute Communion in the hand. It also rules out arguing for an intrinsic link between a rejection of the true presence and communion in the handthe Fathers, on the whole, speak of Christs presence in the Eucharist in highly realistic terms and also received on the hand. The Holy See has made it abundantly clear that both manners of reception of Communion - on the tongue and in the hand - are permitted, that Communion should be received reverently, and that the manner of reception should not become an occasion of division in the church. More people have received Communion in the past century. We should weigh very well the matters in which we appeal to conscience. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) TOP divine life. The question has been asked for a long time since the Church has often allowed both methods of reception. Some advocates of communion on the tongue, at least online, seem guilty of thinking that (however much more virtuous than I they probably are in their lives). To lessen our evil inclinations. Your email address will not be published. I dont think reception in the hand is destroying the Church like what some prominent leaders in the Church have implied, but this practice has still had wide ranging [and not entirely positive] ramifications in the Church over the last half century, far beyond the obvious choice of the individual communicant. 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. The liturgical renewal of St. Pius X which promoted the frequent reception of Communion were still quite young. 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. [9] Theodore of Mopsuestia, Catechetical Homilies 6. But such as, instead of their hands, make vessels of gold or other materials for the reception of the divine gift, and by these receive the immaculate communion, we by no means allow to come, as preferring inanimate and inferior matter to the image of God.[24]. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ's faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing" (Redemptionis Sacramentum, no. The problem is a lack of intentionality across the board, starting with the laity. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 4). 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. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. 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. 160-161; English translation here) The General Instruction of the Roman Missal takes this hymn very seriously, mandating that it should begin at the Communion of the priest and extend until the last person has received Communion. 1. That the conference had voted twice but failed to approve the practice and then only won the third vote by gathering absentee votes which is the article claims was unlawful? Mingle and flow into the palms of his disciples![22]. 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. To be honest, I dont really belong to either camp on this, and like you, I think the polarization on this issue is doing more harm than good. can. [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). I think that settles it. 160). Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. 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. If our reader had said that he believed that Communion in the hand was more prone to dangers of accidents and profanation, I would accept the argument. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. This is more a question of moral theology than of liturgy. For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord ( John 6:58 ). Can you direct me to where you obtained this list? It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better prepared groups and in favorable settings. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. 91). Catholics use birth control, get divorced and fornicate at the same rate as society in general, with the sin of using birth control rarely confessed. 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. 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. 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. [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. 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. The guidelines, which are to be included in missalettes and other participation aids published in the United States, seek to remind all those who may attend Catholic liturgies of the present discipline of the Church with regard to the sharing of Eucharistic Communion. For Catholics: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. The Council of Saragossa, 380, excommunicated anyone who dared continue to receive Holy Communion in the hand. 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. 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.

Sun Lakes Disposal Schedule, Is Misight Covered By Insurance, Articles OTHER