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. 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? [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. To commemorate the death of Christ: "This do in remembrance of me." 2. I think that settles it. In an even more elevated tone, Ephrem the Syrian, in a stunning passage, invites the Christian communicant to feel awe at what is placed in his or her hand, since even the Seraph did not take the divine coal with his hand, nor did the prophet Isaiah eat it (see: Isa 6:6). To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His There are particles, and there are particles. This action by Christ's body, the Church assembled for the Eucharist, is manifested and supported by the Communion Chant, a hymn in praise of Christ sung by the united voices of those who believe in him and share his life. 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.. can. [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. Why? As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable.. 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. [1] This RCIA Process is the way in which you are prepared to be formally received by the Church; this is necessary before you can take Communion. 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. 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. Eccl., VII, ix). 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). Communion should not be received on the run, as you're walking back to your place; it should be consumed before you leave the area below the altar. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah This is the reason why you say after him: Amen.[21]. awr. We owe the Lord as much attention to detail. The congregation returned to this issue in the instructionImmensae Caritatis,January 29, 1973: AAS 65 (1973) 264-271; Notitiae 9 (1973) 157-164: Part 4. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. [11] In East Syria (what we would now call the Middle East) we have evidence from Ephrem the Syrian[12] and Narsai. To lessen our evil inclinations. However, when they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that the faithful make appropriate reverence, according to the norms established, before receiving the Sacrament. 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. 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. 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. At the same time, it is not justified to claim that Communion in the hand is necessarily less reverent or inevitably leads to abuses. St. 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. 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. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. Come see, Part 4. 5. 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. 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. 51 (Feb), pg 62). If one is left-handed this is reversed. 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. 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. Finally, ensuring the application of liturgical law is above all the responsibility of the bishop and only indirectly the religious superior. It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. By this symbolic action, their denial would be clear to all. 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]. I think proponents of tongue/kneeling will get a better hearing if they uphold all aspects of Communion. 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. Timothy O'Malley, Copyright 2023 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. The following norms must therefore be respected. "You're talking to someone who has only owned a smartphone for a yearI resisted," he said. Your fire, O, Our Lord we have eaten in your offering It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. 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. 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] Moreover, an early illuminated gospel, the Rosanno Gospels, depicts the last supper as a communion line, where the disciples receive in cupped hands while bowed. 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. 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 . 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. As I read above article, I didnt found name of my country India in the list of countries which have Indult for communion in hand. The Church in Europe struggled mightilyand some might say in futilityagainst centuries of violence, sect on sect, nation vs nation. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. 6, trans. [27] John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instruction, 12.15-16, trans. [24] Trans. 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. A perception such as this is a dreadfully inaccurate and impoverished understanding of what is a significant religious action. (or: Which Heresy Will You Give Up for Lent? 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. 1. In North Africa (including Egypt) the practice is mentioned by Tertullian,[1] Cyprian,[2] Augustine,[3] Cyril of Alexandria,[4] and John Climacus. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. This was the law of the Church for almost 14 centuries, and is still the general norm today. Space doesn't allow all the details, but the propaganda in the 1970s that was used to sell Communion in the hand to a trusting, vulnerable people was a campaign of calculated half-truths that didn't tell the whole story. From these documents, we can deduce the following points. 21. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better-prepared groups and in favorable settings. Your email address will not be published. Just look at what making donating money an indulgence-eligible corporal work of mercy resulted in during the Renaissance. 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. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. A. 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 Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. 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. O Solomon, the thing which the Lord of your father Church Life Journal I suspect that Christ can cope with particles that get dropped but the care we show, or the lack of care, is what counts. 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. 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. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. cites vote tallies to defend a claim that a large majority (longe plurimos) of bishops not only oppose introducing Communion in the hand but consider it tum sensui tum spirituali cultui [] offensioni We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. Indonesia, 27 March 1971 The history of the liturgy, however, makes clear that rather early on a . He said that he had checked with the then Apostolic Delegation and had been assured that the pope was giving the boy a rosary. Bolivia, October 15 1969 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. 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. Many of us would treat your claims skeptically as unsupported rumor and gossip. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church (330-379): "The right to receive Holy Communion in the hand is permitted only in times of persecution.". North Africa,October 15 1969 [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. One could have perfect adoration of Real Presence in humble posture and, at least in theory, miss the point of Communion. It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. ODonaghues post, I note with interest that the countries in which Communion in the hand is alleged to have been most prevalent either did not apply for or at any rate receive an indult in these first 8 years of results. The faithful receive Communion kneeling or standing, as established by the episcopal conference. During the debate by the conference in the 1970s, a bishop said that he had seen a recent photo of Paul VI giving Communion in the hand to a little boy. The communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. 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. And of course Pope Paul VI was adamant that all the reforms carried out under him were faithful to the Second Vatican Council. [12] Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on Faith 10 and Hymns on Virginity 33.7. There is so much to Communion. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. 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. When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. New Zealand, 24 April 1974 How should this evidence be brought to bear on the modern conversation? 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. 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. 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! When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. No wonder so many people there have given up on Christianity. I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive. 96). They would find many more areas we all need to work on than just their main focus. Alphonse Mingana (Gorgias Press: Piscataway, NJ, 2009 [1933]). Djibouti, 6 March 1970 The people administering the sacrament are asked to use hand sanitizer immediately before. 13.3, trans. 2. 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. I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. 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. Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand? divine life. [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). 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. Whatever one thinks about the practice today and its reemergence after Vatican II, it is important that our conversation be grounded in an accurate picture of the history of this practice. We should rejoice in that. 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). If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. 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. Your email address will not be published. But we doyes, verily. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. The most ancient practice of distributing Holy Communion was, with all probability, to give Communion to the faithful in the palm of the hand. The liturgical renewal of St. Pius X which promoted the frequent reception of Communion were still quite young. Sacrilege is at an all-time high, yet use of the Sacrament of Confession is at an all-time low. James Shapiro, a literature prof at Columbia, says the situation is catastrophic: One reason was the way of the world. 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 as any danger or hint of danger of profaning the Eucharist. 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. But whatever the case, it is the Pope who decides to authorize it for countries, and it is indisputable that he did so. 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. So it is not just tiresome traditionalists who worry about particles. The bishop, however, might sometimes deal with the religious priest through his superior in these matters. For some, however, the singing of this hymn is perceived as an intrusion on their own prayer, their private thanksgiving after Communion. If a priest has great personal difficulty due to deeply and sincerely held views regarding this practice, he can always petition the bishop for a personal exemption or a permission to not apply this permission to his parish.

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