Yugoslavia, 1971 OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. Uruguay,October 15 1969 Paraguay, 27 September 1971 And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Or is there more context that is missing? The elements were placed in the hands (not in the mouth) of each communicant by the clergy who were present, or, according to Justin, by the deacons alone, amid singing of psalms by the congregation (Psalm 34), with the words: The body of Christ; The blood of Christ, the cup of life; to each of which the recipient responded Amen. (eminent Church historian Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church: Ante-Nicene Christianity: A.D. 100-325 [Vol. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. II], 160-161; English translation here) The problem is a lack of intentionality across the board, starting with the laity. Archbishop Anthony Fisher, OP, of Sydney published an excellent paper on the topic of conscience and authority which can be found at:https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7833or, in a slightly briefer form athttps://zenit.org/articles/bishop-fisher-on-conscience-and-authority/. The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 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. Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. 895. Im not aware of that limitation and would like to see proper documentation. He can freely share with the faithful his reasons for preferring to adhere to the traditional practice and encourage the faithful to continue doing so. 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. 6. And to demonstrate reverence and. The life of Christ, the Holy Spirit, animates each of us individually, and all of us corporately and guides us together in our efforts to become one in Christ. France, 6 June 1969 Communion on the tongue remains the usual and common form of administering Holy Communion. Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. So they reintroduced the practice of Communion in the hand (it had been originally introduced as a widespread practice by the Arian heretics of the Fourth Century to deny that Jesus is God). I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive. awr. 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. Timothy O'Malley on the meaning of Eucharistic coherence in the life of the Church. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. 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? It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better-prepared groups and in favorable settings. The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, "The Body of Christ." in Eph 3, trans. All the rites which use leavened bread are reverent but not obsessive. I do make the point that reverence, while important, is not the only or most important aspect of Communion. 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. 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. 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. Back issue of Notitiae are accessible via the new website of the Congregation for Divine Worship at: http://www.cultodivino.va/content/cultodivino/it/rivista-notitiae/indici-annate.html. Upper Volta and Niger, 20 February 1970 [2] Cyprian, On the Good of Patience 14, On the Lapsed 16 and 26,and Letter 55.9. I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). June 29, 2021 | 3. But is the impression they give generally correct? The following norms must, therefore, be respected. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it 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. Theres no simple solution to this issue. 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. The people administering the sacrament are asked to use hand sanitizer immediately before. Not only was Communion in the hand started in disobedience, it was perpetuated by deceit. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? 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. In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. When one receives from the chalice, the same proclamation is made by the person distributing Communion and the Communicant again responds, "Amen." 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. They should be grave and objective questions related to good and evil. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. Then he saw that it was futile. The guidelines recommend against serving Communion until gatherings of more than 50 people are allowed. But whatever the case, it is the Pope who decides to authorize it for countries, and it is indisputable that he did so. Our procession should move with dignity; our bearing should be that of those who know they have been redeemed by Christ and are coming to receive their God! Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. Timothy O'Malley, Copyright 2023 Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. 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 . 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. Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. Was changing the mode reception of Communion one of them? Pray Tell here documents two statements of the Congregation for Divine Worship issued under Pope Paul VI. It must be presumed that a priest has sufficient formation in moral principles so as to exclude an erroneous conscience in such matters. The most ancient practice of distributing Holy Communion was, with all probability, to give Communion to the faithful in the palm of the hand. In such cases, episcopal conferences should examine matters carefully and should make whatever decisions, by a secret vote and with a two-thirds majority, are needed to regulate matters. 161. As to the way to carry out the new rite: one possible model is the traditional usage, which expresses the ministerial functions, by having the priest or deacon place the host in the hand of the communicant . Djibouti, 6 March 1970 [20] Cyril of Jerusalem, myst. All of us are only grasping a hint of it. First, Chrysostom in one of his Homilies on Ephesians: What, do you not see the holy vessels so thoroughly cleansed all over, so resplendent? To lessen our evil inclinations. One could have perfect adoration of Real Presence in humble posture and, at least in theory, miss the point of Communion. The faithful should consume the host before returning to their place; the ministers part will be brought out by use of the usual formulary, The body of Christ, to which the communicant replies: Amen. O Solomon, the thing which the Lord of your father I have come to realize in the last few weeks how many of my Roman Rite brethren are actually understanding the Eucharist in a heretical way. 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. What if our way of calling our fellow Christians to a higher way were based on loving example and not polemics? Paul W. Harkins ACW 31 (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1963). Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. This blog is not associated with Pray Tell: An open forum on faith in South Texas. [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. 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. A quick example will be found . 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. 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. 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? 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. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. 1. The Pope grants that throughout the territory of your conference, each bishop may, according to his prudent judgment and conscience, authorize in his diocese the introduction of the new rite for giving communion. 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 . Ireland, 4 September 1976 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. But there is more to the story. Today, both manners of receiving Communion are worthy and licit. Church Life Journal What a Priest Might Do If He Wants to Avoid It. Has done We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. 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. Wherefore, if any one wishes to be a participator of the immaculate Body in the time of the Synaxis, and to offer himself for the communion, let him draw near, arranging his hands in the form of a cross, and so let him receive the communion of grace. Henry Percival and ed. Communion in the hand is no more hygienic than Communion in the mouth. Phillip Schaff and Henry Wace in NPNF Second Series, 14 (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1900). His blood now flows through our veins. My country is not on this list but holy communion is the norm. [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. For example, although Communion in the hand is generally permitted at the Vatican, in recent years ministers administrating Communion at large at papal Masses have been enjoined to distribute Communion only on the tongue. Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from youSt. [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. Holt Orders cannot sustain the Church, no matter how much traditionalists preach priests are of the utmost importance. 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. The oldest reference to the Eucharist in the New Testament occurs in chapters 11 and 12 of the First Letter to the Corinthians, which has no reference to receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. 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. I dont mean how did it come about. 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. Sure, Ill go along with that. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. 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. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. A: The answer to this question is somewhat complex. Dear Patrick, Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the Eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. It is simply reading too much into this practice, and it is not correct to support something one favors by denigrating another practice. The cultural backing. 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. IMHO no, contrary to what some real traddies may say. (Original Latin text here, see pp. [4] Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John 6.1 and 12.1. A priest who is not directly responsible for the care of souls should be even more respectful of local practice. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His 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. If he is a religious priest, what actions can a legitimate superior take as regards the member who denies Communion in the hand? Interestingly, during the Middle Ages, the reception of Holy Communion was restricted to "on the tongue" because of abuses. Greg., Dial., I, III, c. iii). 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. [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). The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. 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.. This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. It is clear that this mode of reception was considered reverent and was to be carried out in a reverent manner. 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? [13] In the far-flung regions of the empireGaul (modern-day France and Spain) we have the witness of Caesarius of Arles[14] and the council of Auxerre,[15] and in England, we have the Venerable Bede. [24] Trans. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. 5. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to . 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. The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. 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. The large numbers of faithful and the general hustle and bustle at the moment of communion make it quite easy for a host to fall to the ground. 95% of parishes shrinking, seminaries empty, young people disengaged: it will happen in Africa and Asia too when the culture of the secular West overwhelms the Third World. Elizabeth Klein is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. On the other hand, if the sins are not so great that a person should be judged to deserve excommunication, he ought not to withdraw from the daily medicine of the Lords body.[26]. 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). For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. 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). I honestly get sick of it too. However, when they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that the faithful make appropriate reverence, according to the norms established, before receiving the Sacrament.

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