Roland Teske (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2001). 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 []. 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.. 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). 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. [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. The Council was a start, but we have allowed ourselves to get sidetracked in silly and divisive banter. But back in the West, where most of us at PT are from, the Church is struggling. How should this evidence be brought to bear on the modern conversation? Since Christ is really, substantially, sacramentally present but not physically, being OC over crumbs is not devotion. 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. 6. Nowhere in this article did I see what the CHURCH says about Holy Communion, only the writers opinion. 843 1; cf. 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 . 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. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. Henry Percival and ed. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. 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. 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. I am just wondering what the reason or reasons were for allowing reception of Communion in the hand to begin with? The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. 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. Basil the Great, 330-379 stated, "The right to receive Holy Communion in the hand is permitted only in times of persecution." This statement may very well have been made in response to St. Cyril of Jerusalem in 348. Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. Bolivia, October 15 1969 [3] Augustine, Answer to Petilian 2.23.53and Against Parmenian 2.7.13. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says the following: 160. W.R., Goa, India. 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. Communion in the hand is no more hygienic than Communion in the mouth. June 29, 2021 | If he is a religious priest, what actions can a legitimate superior take as regards the member who denies Communion in the hand? 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. [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. Does anyone have an explanation for why France, Germany, and the Low Countries were not quickly regularized once the opportunity was available? 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. 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 . This is a fundamental misunderstanding. 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. Finally, ensuring the application of liturgical law is above all the responsibility of the bishop and only indirectly the religious superior. It is a matter of particular seriousness that in places where the new practice is lawfully permitted every one of the faithful has the option of receiving communion on the tongue and even when other persons are receiving communion in the hand. The following norms must, therefore, be respected. Church Life Journal Alphonse Mingana (Gorgias Press: Piscataway, NJ, 2009 [1933]). After receiving Communion our bodies become holy chalices. Phillip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889). Catechesis has been virtually non-existent or flat-out heretical for the last 50 years. 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. It should be noted that it is never permissible for a person to dip the host he or she has received into the chalice. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. 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 . There is so much to Communion. 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. 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. As a scholar of the early Church, I was surprised to learn that the practice of communion in the hand is such a hotly debated topic; it came to my attention during the early days of the pandemic, when many dioceses required communicants to receive in this way. That said, there are dimensions to this discussion that I think are both valuable and havent been given much screen time overall. The Holy Eucharist remits venial sins by disposing us to perform acts of love and contrition. [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. I think that settles it. All our lives we who believe in Christ are moving in time toward that moment when we will be taken by death from this world and enter into the joy of the Lord in the eternal Kingdom he has prepared for us. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. 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. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? Shapiro picked up an abused-looking iPhone from his desk. When we receive Communion, we become members of Christ's Body, the Church. 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. Jesus wants to use our hands, which have now become His hands, to help those in need. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). He said that he had checked with the then Apostolic Delegation and had been assured that the pope was giving the boy a rosary. 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. Eccl., VII, ix). 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. On the one hand, I think this evidence precludes describing communion in the hand as intrinsically irreverent. Now we feel our affluence threatened, and the Gospel gives no comfort on that front. A: The answer to this question is somewhat complex. Q. Madagascar 2 March 1970 Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion. All of us should receive with great reverence and respect. 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. Per The Baltimore Catechism: But to us our Lord has given both . 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. are on the side of Lucifer. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. A priest who is not directly responsible for the care of souls should be even more respectful of local practice. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. 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. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by Satan to destroy the Church (ok, probably not that). Aaron, 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. 3. Indonesia, 27 March 1971 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. [5] John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent 28. In North Africa (including Egypt) the practice is mentioned by Tertullian,[1] Cyprian,[2] Augustine,[3] Cyril of Alexandria,[4] and John Climacus. COVID-19 Additional Questions for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 Finance FAQ for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 Personnel FAQ for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 Remote Learning FAQ for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 International Students FAQ for Catholic Schools, Forming a New Prayer and Intercessory Team at Your Parish, Resources for Existing Intercessory Prayer Teams, Mooney Real Estate Holding Company and Parish Incorporations, Stewards for Tomorrow/Archdiocese of Detroit Endowment Foundation. For whatever reason, reception on the hand does not appear to convey the same level of reverence in the public consciousness as reception on the tongue. 51 (Feb), pg 62). 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. To signify, seal, and apply to believers all the benefits of the new covenant. 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.. 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. Yugoslavia, 1971 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. I think proponents of tongue/kneeling will get a better hearing if they uphold all aspects of Communion. 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. Over and over again the prayers of the liturgy and the norms of the General Instruction emphasize this fundamental concept of the unity of the baptized, stressing that when we come together to participate in the Eucharistic celebration we come, not as individuals, but as united members of Christ's Body. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. 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. 6. This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. I used the wordnecessarilyas an equivalent to in and of itself. There is no inherent reason why Communion in the hand is less reverent. The rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. 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. When the bishops reassembled, Cardinal John Carberry of St. Louis, a determined opponent of Communion in the hand, was quick to get up to set things straight. [2] 2 Accept Communion in a state of grace. I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. 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. St. Have reverence for the honor which God has bestowed upon it, and do not lead it down to the vileness of sin.[27]. 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: Confess it and move on. But we doyes, verily. University of Notre Dame, McGrath Institute for Church Life Do we have faith in the efficacy of the sacraments or not? Consider that you not only receive this gift in your hand, but that you also bring it up to your mouth, and keep your tongue clean of all disgraceful and outrageous words, blasphemy, perjury and all other sins of this sort. 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). 1. http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/truth-about-communion-in-hand-while.html#.Wpa2wdIUnGg. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) TOP Fast forward to 2004, when The Congregation for Divine Worship in its new Instruction named Redemptionis Sacramentum, stated: "Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand the sacred host is to be administered . 161. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. But there is more to the story. 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. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection. 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. Djibouti, 6 March 1970 Reverence can be good if it opens us to God & neighbor and makes us more loving. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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. The bishop, however, might sometimes deal with the religious priest through his superior in these matters. 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. 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 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. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. 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.. With regard to the second, we have many early witnesses including Paul (see 1 Cor 11:27) and the Didache (seechapter 14). 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. Scandinavia,October 15 1969 If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, "The Body of Christ." 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. 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. The divine coal is a common image of the Eucharist in Syrian theology. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. This blog is not associated with Pray Tell: An open forum on faith in South Texas. When receiving in the hand, the communicant should be guided by the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem . I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. 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). Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 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! 4. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. 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. Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from youSt. The causes are myriad and often interconnected. 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. 86). From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. 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. The problem is a lack of intentionality across the board, starting with the laity. This norm is supported by an Instruction by the Holy See regarding the Eucharist: "In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that 'sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them'(Code of Canon Law, can. Upper Volta and Niger, 20 February 1970 Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the Eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. 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. 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. 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.". [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). 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. I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive. They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. More people have received Communion in the past century. 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? Luxembourg, October 15 1969 91). We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. 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. [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). I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. Your fire, O, Our Lord we have eaten in your offering 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. For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common 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. Obviously, for better or worse, the NLM has an agenda. Then he saw that it was futile. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? I guess my point is that regardless of our internal reverence (or lack thereof), the way we verbally and literally communicate our faith to others, especially our children, is still very important. 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.
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