7 rules for receiving communion in the hand

Your fire, O, Our Lord we have eaten in your offering After stipulating the historical practice of Communion in the hand, Memoriale Domini: defends the development of discipline that led to Communion on the tongue 6, trans. 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. Whether to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue are liturgical disciplines, not dogmas. This would be done especially if it is very difficult or impossible to fulfill the necessary conditions as outlined in the documents above. 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. 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. From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. 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. 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. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by Satan to destroy the Church (ok, probably not that). Care must also be taken that the communicants have clean hands and that their comportment is becoming and in keeping with the practices of the different peoples. 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. 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is bad if it makes us prideful/judgmental and distracts from more important things. Upper Volta and Niger, 20 February 1970 At the same time, it is not justified to claim that Communion in the hand is necessarily less reverent or inevitably leads to abuses. The question has been asked for a long time since the Church has often allowed both methods of reception. [16] Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 4.24. FYI, the announcement that approval for Communion in the Hand was given (in 1969) to Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, and Chad appeared in Notitiae in v. 6 (1969), no. Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. Timothy O'Malley, Copyright 2023 Holt Orders cannot sustain the Church, no matter how much traditionalists preach priests are of the utmost importance. [3] Augustine, Answer to Petilian 2.23.53and Against Parmenian 2.7.13. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. A parish priest, or the rector of a sanctuary, might have objective reasons for not applying the permission if there is any danger of profanation or lack of respect. When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. All of us are only grasping a hint of it. This is more a question of moral theology than of liturgy. Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. 160-161; English translation here) 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. 3. Paul W. Harkins ACW 31 (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1963). Chad, 18 September 1969 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. 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. 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. 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. Monaco, 31 October 1969 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. When we move in procession, particularly the procession to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion, we are a sign, a symbol of that pilgrim Church "on the way.". It was proved that belief in the Real Presence is abysmal. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. W.R., Goa, India. It is simply reading too much into this practice, and it is not correct to support something one favors by denigrating another practice. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. 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. 6. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) TOP Above all it is necessary to have the introduction of the rite preceded by an effective catechesis, so that the people will clearly understand the meaning of receiving in the hand and will practice it with the reverence owed to the sacrament. 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. 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. Todd, yes, the Church as a whole is growing thanks to the great efforts of missionaries in Africa and Asia (many are now coming back here), and yes, more people are receiving the Sacraments now than ever. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 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. Fr. His blood now flows through our veins. The wind has left our sails and many of us are adrift on uncertain seas. But as time passed it became the practice to receive Communion directly on the tongue in order to assure that the Host was received reverently. 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. Or is there more context that is missing? With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. Sacrilege is at an all-time high, yet use of the Sacrament of Confession is at an all-time low. 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]. vehementer hortatur retention of current practice while invoking the common good of the Church. 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. Never receive Holy Communion by extending only one hand. 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. When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. 91). Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. 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. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. 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. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. Obviously, for better or worse, the NLM has an agenda. 1. That said, there are dimensions to this discussion that I think are both valuable and havent been given much screen time overall. 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. 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. 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 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. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. Madagascar 2 March 1970 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. Today, both manners of receiving Communion are worthy and licit. The problem is a lack of intentionality across the board, starting with the laity. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. [27] John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instruction, 12.15-16, trans. That rhetorical flow and its further implicit objections (i.e., take care lest XYZ) *could* be a setup for a generous grant of indults, but given the overall negative tone I dont think it accidental or inconsequential that the prospect of permission is only mentioned in these cases where contrary practice already prevails. I think proponents of tongue/kneeling will get a better hearing if they uphold all aspects of Communion. 1396: In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. 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. Germany, 6 June 1969 [17] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 7.9.4. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). October 13, 2022. 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 . Mingle and flow into the palms of his disciples![22]. Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. 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.. Paul VI had a measure of it in 1974, and we hav emostly missed the wisdom of Evangelii Nuntiandi. Aaron, We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. 895. What if our way of calling our fellow Christians to a higher way were based on loving example and not polemics? It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. But is the impression they give generally correct? 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. When one receives from the chalice, the same proclamation is made by the person distributing Communion and the Communicant again responds, "Amen." 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 4. 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. What's at Stake in the Debates Swirling Around Eucharistic Coherence. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable.. Church Life Journal There are particles, and there are particles. 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. [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. Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. 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. Jeffrey T. Wickes FotC 130 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2015). 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. 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. 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. The Council of Saragossa, 380, excommunicated anyone who dared continue to receive Holy Communion in the hand. Phillip Schaff and Henry Wace in NPNF Second Series, 14 (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1900). It is clear that this mode of reception was considered reverent and was to be carried out in a reverent manner. These practices have wide evidence of use and in some ways never died out completely. Over the years I have read a multitude of opinions for and against, and occasionally perceived false arguments. 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. 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. They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. 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). Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. 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. 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. 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 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. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it 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.. Here in India Communion is distributed both on tongue and in hand. Others claim that in the context of the discourse St. Cyril was referring to the clergy and not to the faithful. [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). I used the wordnecessarilyas an equivalent to in and of itself. There is no inherent reason why Communion in the hand is less reverent. 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. The liturgical renewal of St. Pius X which promoted the frequent reception of Communion were still quite young. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the Priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. June 29, 2021 | Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. 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 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. Confess it and move on. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. 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 honestly get sick of it too. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. Gross Alexander NPNF 13, ed. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. In each of the Eucharistic Prayers, though the petition is worded in slightly different ways, God is asked to send his Holy Spirit to make us one body, one spirit in Christ; the General Instruction admonishes the faithful that "they are to form one body, whether in hearing the Word of God, or in taking part in the prayers and in the singing" (no. 896. 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? Just look at what making donating money an indulgence-eligible corporal work of mercy resulted in during the Renaissance. And of course Pope Paul VI was adamant that all the reforms carried out under him were faithful to the Second Vatican Council. I think that settles it. 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. Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion. http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion. Now we feel our affluence threatened, and the Gospel gives no comfort on that front. 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. Permission for administering Communion in the hand was granted by the Holy See to the United States on June 17, 1977 and has since become almost the universal norm in the Ordinary Form. What some call discipleship, others evangelizationnew or whatever, or some speak of discernment and application of spiritual gifts. 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. 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 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. 96). A Journal of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, by Elizabeth Klein Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? It was designed: 1. Do we have faith in the efficacy of the sacraments or not? To that which you are you respond Amen (yes, it is true!) and by responding to it you assent to it. Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from youSt. Care must also be taken that the communicants have clean hands and that their comportment is becoming and in keeping with the practices of the different peoples. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family. Luxembourg, October 15 1969 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. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. There is so much to Communion. 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. Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 Fire consumed the offering The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. On the part of both the minister and the recipient, whenever the host is placed in the hand of a communicant there must be careful concern and caution, especially about particles that might fall from the hosts. The following norms must therefore be respected. A priest who is not directly responsible for the care of souls should be even more respectful of local practice. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. One said: When [the practice was] introduced in the U.S. Cyril of Jerusalem was quoted make your hands a throne for the King, take and eat.Is anyone denying the quote?, Concerning Communion in the hand, please consult the Mystical Catechesis of St. Cyril of Jerusalem for a description of the practice around A.D. 345. For pastoral reasons this manner of receiving communion has been legitimately established as the most common form in the Latin rite. 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). 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. 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. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. 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. 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. I happen to accept the role of darkness within the Church, but it strikes me as being perpetrated all too often by those who style themselves the most faithful or loyal to God. 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.

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7 rules for receiving communion in the hand

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