There are many devout Catholics who find this practice helpful. 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. It seems appropriate to conclude this reflection on the Communion Procession and the reception of Communion with a quotation from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better prepared groups and in favorable settings. Under the moral aspect will be considered, in reference to Holy Communion: necessity; subject; dispositions. 1396: In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. It is always helpful to review instructions for receiving Communion. What some call discipleship, others evangelizationnew or whatever, or some speak of discernment and application of spiritual gifts. 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. This is precisely why there are occasions when pastoral prudence can lead to suspend the permission. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. New Zealand, 24 April 1974 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. We should weigh very well the matters in which we appeal to conscience. For example, Augustine writes, Someone might say that the Eucharist should not be received daily. For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. Gross Alexander NPNF 13, ed. Timothy O'Malley, Copyright 2023 For example, there is ample evidence that the exchange of peace between the people was practiced well into the Middle Ages in several European countries. Archbishop Anthony Fisher, OP, of Sydney published an excellent paper on the topic of conscience and authority which can be found at:https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7833or, in a slightly briefer form athttps://zenit.org/articles/bishop-fisher-on-conscience-and-authority/. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. 284-287 is to be followed.. As further documentation,Pray Tell provides this excerpt from the 2002General Instruction of the Roman Missal in Latin and English on the reception of Communion. I am a daily witness at the Basilique du Sacr-Cur de Montmartre (Paris).. [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 dont mean how did it come about. I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. We have no nets to cast deeply. 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. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. The communicant should audibly respond, "Amen," indicating by that response his or her belief that this small wafer of bread, the wine in this chalice are in reality the body and blood of Christ the Lord. Look how military inspectors demand very high standards of care when inspecting barracks for cleanliness. 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 means that Jesus has no eyes but our eyes, no feet . 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. [19] This list is by no means exhaustive, and it would be tedious to cite all of these references as a catalog, but let us turn to a few of them to see what the Fathers have to say about the meaning of this practice. 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. The author claims that Communion in the hand could only be authorized in countries where it was an established practice but doesnt give a citation. 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. These views are sometimes strongly held. Australia, 26 September 1975 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? Paraguay, 27 September 1971 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. Mingle and flow into the palms of his disciples![22]. However, cases of a deplorable lack of respect towards the Eucharistic species have been reported, cases which are imputable not only to the individuals guilty of such behavior but also to the pastors of the church who have not been vigilant enough regarding the attitude of the faithful towards the Eucharist. If he is a religious priest, what actions can a legitimate superior take as regards the member who denies Communion in the hand? 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. 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. "You're talking to someone who has only owned a smartphone for a yearI resisted," he said. The faithful receive Communion kneeling or standing, as established by the episcopal conference. Your fire, O, Our Lord we have eaten in your offering On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. I dont read any statement with canonical force saying that only those countries may apply for an indult. Required fields are marked *. 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. This is more a question of moral theology than of liturgy. 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. 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.. O Solomon, the thing which the Lord of your father Click herefor a handout that can be placed in your bulletin for your parishioner. How should this evidence be brought to bear on the modern conversation? In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. 7. 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. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. 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. Our bishops have argued that Communion in the hand is the proper way for the faithful to respond to our Lord's invitation: "All of you, take and eat this." What the bishops overlook is the fact . Has done 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. We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. Eccl., VII, ix). It is not solely the result of some weird medieval form of reverence. 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 Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand? awr. Please take responsibility for the lies, the bile, and the sinful stuff. 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. [17] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 7.9.4. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. Today, both manners of receiving Communion are worthy and licit. 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. A Journal of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, by Elizabeth Klein 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 do make the point that reverence, while important, is not the only or most important aspect of Communion. 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. When receiving Communion in the hand can be sinful - LifeSite This blog is not associated with Pray Tell: An open forum on faith in South Texas. 915). 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. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (Jn 17:21). 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. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. Reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament | The Fatima Center 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. If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. Im not aware of that limitation and would like to see proper documentation. 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. John Paul II and Mother Theresa on Communion in the Hand And of course Pope Paul VI was adamant that all the reforms carried out under him were faithful to the Second Vatican Council. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. More people have received Communion in the past century. 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. The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, "The Body of Christ." 1. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. 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. [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. And why so? http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion. 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. 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 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. Elizabeth Klein is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. What if our reception made us all more loving of one another, whatever our views on how to receive? With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer 'Amen'. The guidelines, which are to be included in missalettes and other participation aids published in the United States, seek to remind all those who may attend Catholic liturgies of the present discipline of the Church with regard to the sharing of Eucharistic Communion. Pandemic will affect Communion rituals for U.S. Christians There are particles, and there are particles. Was changing the mode reception of Communion one of them? I suspect that Christ can cope with particles that get dropped but the care we show, or the lack of care, is what counts. 96). The following norms must, therefore, be respected. [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. God has come to live in us. All of us should receive with great reverence and respect. For this is what it is to receive unworthily: if one receives at that time when he ought to be doing penance.
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