If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. Who decides how one is to receive Holy Communion? Jul 10, 2021 Image by Robert Cheaib from Pixabay. So far as can be determined, no one of these variations was practiced with insufficient reverence from Gods point of view. In the fourth century, St. Cyril of Jerusalem described the practice of his own time and place in a famous passage (Mystagogicae catecheses 5,21): 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. Carefully hallow your eyes by the touch of the sacred body, and then partake, taking care to lose no part of it. (CCC 1759). It is awkward for them to be on display as being different and to potentially be perceived as less reverent when they approach but cannot kneel. On May 28, 1969 the Congregation for Divine Worship issued Memoriale Domini, which concluded: "From the responses received, it is thus clear that by far the greater number of bishops feel that the present discipline [i.e., Holy Communion on the tongue] should not be changed at all, indeed that if it were changed, this would be offensive to the sensibility and spiritual appreciation of these bishops and of most of the faithful. 2 days of "and the lord heard me - i have my answers" || nsppd || 6th july 2023 A person with disabilities may find it distracting and embarrassing, because their disability is otherwise "invisible" and therefore not known and understood (unless they have a visible limp or unless their limitation is known by others in the Parish). Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, November 2008, Father Regis Scanlon, who is spiritual director for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, has said that "the doctrine of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is one of those wonderful truths by which Christianity shines forth as a religion of mysteries far exceeding the capacity of the human mind. If youre going to receive in the hand, be clear about where the Host should be placed so that it doesnt accidentally fall. Sadly there are many Catholics who no longer believe in the real presence. May 11, 2020 Pat McCloskey, OFM Ask a Franciscan Q: When and why did the Catholic Church begin the practice of receiving the host in the hand during Holy Communion? When you talk about what Im going to talk about, people say, Oh, my goodness, Father has me directly in mind. If nevertheless we are made to feel guilty for not wanting to possibly spread the contagion, we should think of what St Thomas Aquinas said about the end never being justified by the means, namely: An evil action cannot be justified by reference to a good intention (cf. I began by saying, There are any flagrant violations or extreme problems here, but its good always to remind ourselves of what happens when we receive the Eucharist and how we should receive it. Then I continued in this vein: We have the adage Familiarity breeds contempt. Not that we have contempt for the Eucharist, but we receive it so often that we can become slovenly. What is necessary is to receive with reverence and dignity. being at home in our Father's house, in God's Immanence. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to place the left hand under the right). If one is receiving in the hand the following is normative: upon approaching the minister of the Host extend the hands in the middle of the chest. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer 'Amen'. If you indicate clearly, its easier. Not to offend sensibilities, I will use the older words: The Unbloody Sacrifice of the Mass. It is theLordthat we are receiving into ourselves. Can We Be Required to Receive Communion in the Hand, Because of the Please pray for me. New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations [NSPPD] || 6th - Facebook We do not just receive; we extend . That is whom we are receiving. The question has been asked for a long time since the Church has often allowed both methods of reception. The debate over Communion in the hand or on the tongue has nonetheless occurred throughout Church history. The custom does not detract in any way from the personal dignity of those who approach this great sacrament: it is part of that preparation that is needed for the most fruitful reception of the body of the Lord. The purpose here is not to express an opinion on whether the modern practice of receiving Communion in the hand is acceptable, or even whether the practice does indeed have its origin, in whatever form, in the early Church. We re-present that act to the Father and bring its benefits upon ourselves. To touch the sacred species, and to distribute them with their own hands, is a privilege of the ordained, one which indicates an active participation in the ministry of the Eucharist."17. "21 Even the great Pope John Paul II reportedly said: "There is an apostolic letter on the existence of a special valid permission for this [Communion in the hand]. It seems, like many bad defenses, antiquity is a fallacy that will only come back and bite the user. Pope Francis declares 'No to war.' We celebrate what Jesus enacted at the Last Supper and on Calvary. In this exclusive interview, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich speaks about the synod of bishops on synodality that will open in the Vatican on Oct. 4, at which for the first time women will participate as full members with the right to vote. As a brief postscript, a most unfortunate development has been attempts by priests and even some bishops to enforce uniformity in the manner of receiving Holy Communion by refusing it to those who wish to receive on the tongue, or by remonstrating with them afterward. That's what the "Amen" means: "I honestly believe that when I receive, it is Christ. If youre going to kneel for Communionand its all right to kneelremember that, when you rise, you have people behind you. In an introduction to a new book about Communion practices, the cardinal writes, We can understand how the most insidious diabolical attack consists in trying to extinguish faith in the Eucharist, sowing errors and favoring an unsuitable manner of receiving it, according to a translation published by PrayTellBlog. This passage is often cited to support the modern practice of receiving Holy Communion in the hand, with adherents insisting that Cyrils testimony roots the practice in antiquityand thus even makes it more respectable than Communion on the tongue. '"18 This may sound coherent but the various bishops and bishops' conferences obviously believed otherwise when they made an appeal for the new practice on the grounds that it represented an "active personal involvement" of the laity. [5] If you login and register your print subscription number with your account, youll have unlimited access to the website. I can only imagine that Christ did likewise. No thanks. During this time of COVID and the restrictions that come with it, some bishops and parishes are requiring Catholics to accept Communion on the hand, rather than on the tongue. There are certain things that we priests talk about among ourselves (Im telling the tricks of the trade now), comments we make about certain kinds of communicants. The reception of Holy Communion at Mass has always been a moment of tremendous reverence and awe, traditionally preceded by the ringing of the bells, burning of incense and observation of silence. How much more carefully, then, will you guard against losing so much as a crumb of that which is more precious than gold and precious stones! As anyone whos been a superior of a community of priests knows, its a delicate thing to approach the priest and say, Father, look, youre saying Mass too fast; youre saying Mass too irreverently; youre doing this or that and you ought to correct it. Several years ago a Jesuit published a book called HowNotto Say Mass, and when we read it in refectory in the monastery one of the old monks said, How strange that a Jesuit should write a book on hownotto say Mass. Well, here we go. God bless you! This method of distributing Holy Communion must be retainedBecause it expresses the faithfuls reverence for the Eucharist., Later when the question of Communion on the tongue being denied again came up, a letter from The Holy See to the American Bishops on April 3, 1985 was written by The Congregation for Divine Worship, by Archbishop Augustin Mayer, to The National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Mine has no angels at all, no hell, satan, or lucifer either. Undoubtedly, there will be parishes and ministers who will distribute Communion on the tongue regardless. What you choose to privately feel is your business. No doubt, the causes for this are complex, but it is indisputable that profanation has become easier with the reception of Holy Communion in the hand, since communicants can, deliberately or inadvertently, take the host away without consuming it. . are you moderating the comments sections or not ? Dear Cardinal Sarah, Thank you for all the good service you have given to the Church whom we are. (The option applies only in countries whose national bishops conferences have applied for and been granted permission to authorize Communion in the hand, of course.) Once we have received him in the Eucharist, he is present in our very persons, in our bodies. He looked black and ugly, with frightening thin limbs, but, most strikingly, he had no knees. 7 signs youre not ready to fully receive Gods word, Why Some Catholics Love to Hate-Read Ross Douthat, Exclusive interview: Cardinal Hollerich on how synodality has developedand how involved Pope Francis has been. Answer. It is theLordthat we are worshiping. So remember to rise straight up, thinking about the person right behind you. This movement toward adopting a new, single policy was reinforced by the removal of the Communion rail, which is compatible with receiving Communion on the tongue. That disposition of John, It is the Lordthatswhat our faith demands. Being Christians should humble us as all humanity is loved and saved by Jesus Christ, though all may not have the gift of faith in God or of being Christians. 6000 Thoughts A Day: What to Do with Them All? I dont mean to sound facetious, but, at that moment, you dont want to genuflect to the tabernacle, because the Lord is within you; youarethe tabernacle. The communicant would kneel, take the cloth in both hands and hold it under his chin. No bishop on earth has the authority to countermand a law or specific directive of the Vatican, that is intended to the Universal Church. A hundred years ago, it might be reasonably considered as very correct. It really is pronounced Ahmeen, and it means, So be it. I agree. I believe. Itisthe Body of Christ. Thats what the Amen means: I honestly believe that when I receive, it is Christ. And so I say Amen., No one can dictate how one is to receive Holy Communion. They assume that the seats at the end of the pew are all for people with baby strollers; they then ask the person with disabilities to move to the center of the pew where the problem with the kneelers going up quickly is more difficult. In conclusion, since the Supreme Authority of the Universal Church in Rome has told us repeatedly that Catholics cannot be forbidden to receive Communion on the tongue, even in a situation involving a contagious illness, their ruling outranks anybody and everybody else in the hierarchal structure of the Church. "12 If, however, this was one of our bishops' primary motivations behind their quest for legitimate renewal, one has to wonder why the most solemn act of kneeling at the moment of Holy Communion was considered expendable when for centuries it was employed because of its immeasurable benefit of predisposing one to holiness. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Receiving Communion in the Hand I just recently got into a discussion with my closest Catholic friend regarding the reception of communion on the hand, versus orally. Just take a look at the photo used here and in earlier issues decrying the Cardinal who may be out the door soon enough. The Catholic Church has defined the dogma of the real presence by stating that Jesus Christ is present whole and entire under the appearances of bread and wine following the words of consecration at the Eucharist."1. Dear Cardinal Sarah, whatever we say or imagine about the compassion and love and desire for closeness that our dear Lord Jesus has for us, He is greater. Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, Administrative Assistant for Edmundite Campus Ministry, COME FORTH: The Promise of Jesuss Greatest Miracle, USCCBs international policy chair urges imprisoned Nicaraguan bishops release, Catholic universities must engage with A.I.s development, Cardinal says. It is in this environment, culture and context, and not that of the early Church, that our Catholic bishops have adopted the practice. The host on the tongue like the Ash Wednesday ashes, can a tune one to open ones heart and mind to God.It should humble us Catholics, we're not a clique. A priest can't say, "I'm only going to give the Eucharist on the tongue." Nor can a priest demand that everyone who comes to Communion receive in the hand. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. Patricia, my dear wife for 62 years, has borne six children and is grandmother to eight. 1, Father Regis Scanlon, O.F.M., Cap., "Eucharistic Piety: A Strong Recommendation". ( St. We are utterly clueless in claiming that we have the truth objectively. Keywords: Catholic, Communion, hand, tongue. Now we certainly dont expect anyone to crawl, but there has to be that depth of faith. "8 The Canadian bishops nonetheless advised its instructors of the new practice to provide the faithful with only the "good reasons which justify the introduction of the new rite. It is the, who is sanctifying us. Go to Mass. Stay up to date with the latest news, information, and special offers. Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more. Mass is a Eucharistic meal. St. Thomas Aquinas, Dec. praec.6). Communion should not be received on the run, as youre walking back to your place; it should be consumed before you leave the area below the altar. Comment made by a member of the Pontificium Consilium ad Christianorum Unitatem Fovendam in a personal letter of December 17, 1999. How appropriate is Jesus' discussion in Matthew 15:1-20. The Proper Way to Receive Holy Communion - Shrub Oak, NY However, since 1969, the Holy See has granted permission to bishops . According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 3). Yet the instruction states. Further our mission through your prayer and donation. You will take Communion during Mass. Tim Staples discusses the practice of receiving Communion in the hand with a caller on Catholic Answers Live. Despite this statement of the Holy See, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) decided at its Plenary Assembly of November 1969 to submit a formal request to the Holy Father for permission to distribute Holy Communion in the hand. Such reverence is something which we can all agree to seek more fully, no matter our posture, he said, adding that the cardinals words deny a valid practice inherited from the early church., In a world riven by so many divisions, it is not helpful for Cardinal Sarah to divide Catholics even further., John F. Baldovin, S.J., a professor of historical and liturgical theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, said in an email to America that Cardinal Sarahs remarks betray a fundamental disagreement with a theology and piety of the Eucharist that understand the act of Communion as an act of a loving Savior who wishes to make us a part of his bodyboth in receiving the sacrament itself and in becoming more a part of his body which is the church., Catholics are perfectly free to receive Communion on the tongue, Father Baldovin said. "4 After he had considered the observation and the counsel of the bishops, the Supreme Pontiff judged that the long-received manner of ministering Holy Communion to the faithful should not be changed. A perennial source of debate, and occasionally of conflict, is the way we receive Holy Communion. Catholics believe that the "real presence of our Lord" is in the bread and wine and . Is it okay to recieve Communion in the hand? - Catholic Online Prudence and judgement are key in this discussion. "2 It is Archbishop Ranjith's belief that the introduction of this practice after Vatican II has resulted in indifference, outrages and sacrileges toward our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, causing great harm to both the Catholic Church and to individual souls. Recently I spoke to a congregation about the reception of Holy Communion. So perhaps taking the Host on the tongue, being quite unnatural, shakes us out of our every day complacency to the presence of Jesus Christ. A bishop, for example, may forbid the practice of Communion in the hand but not the practice of Communion on the tongue. The Guinea-born cardinal has won fans in some circles for his arguments in favor of contemplative spirituality and full-throated defense of traditional moral values. Following the Second Vatican Council, receiving Communion in the hand became the norm in many places. Is the mass meant to be a re-staging of historical events or is it meant to promote reverence and stability of faith? How to Receive the Eucharist - Catholic Education Resource Center Here is the most recent: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/08/24/pope_francis_liturgical_reform_is_irreversible/1332602, But he also talked about it here:https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/letter-rome-87.