7 rules for receiving communion in the hand 7 rules for receiving communion in the hand

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. 160-161; English translation here) 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? 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 . Per The Baltimore Catechism: What some call discipleship, others evangelizationnew or whatever, or some speak of discernment and application of spiritual gifts. The causes are myriad and often interconnected. 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. However, when they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that the faithful make appropriate reverence, according to the norms established, before receiving the Sacrament. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says the following: 160. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by Satan to destroy the Church (ok, probably not that). And some who do have lost their strength or nerve. [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. On this point, I will leave you with a beautiful exhortation from the Golden Tongue: Think of what you receive in your hand and never lift it to strike another and never disgrace with the sin of assault the hand that has been honored with so great a gift. 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. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. So it is not just tiresome traditionalists who worry about particles. The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed, in the hand, the choice lying with the communicant. 843 1; cf. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. The traditional and preferred method is the reception of the Host on the tongue: Step forward and kneel at the Communion rail or station (if you stand, make a sign of reverencesuch as a bow or genuflection or Sign of the Crossbefore receiving the Host and take care not to disrupt the Communion line). You should thus draw near with great awe and love, according to the greatness of that which is given: with awe, because of the greatness of (its) honour; and with love, because of (its) grace. 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.. 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. Sure, Ill go along with that. In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. For example, although Communion in the hand is generally permitted at the Vatican, in recent years ministers administrating Communion at large at papal Masses have been enjoined to distribute Communion only on the tongue. Ive updated the post. 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. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. The very idea of people regularly receiving Communion (and even receiving Communion as part of the liturgy to the Eucharist itself) were relatively new ideas at the time of the Council. 3. There are particles, and there are particles. 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. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. [] It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated Bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 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. Madagascar 2 March 1970 I am just wondering what the reason or reasons were for allowing reception of Communion in the hand to begin with? For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. Paraguay, 27 September 1971 If Your Hand/Hands are Impeded . I do make the point that reverence, while important, is not the only or most important aspect of Communion. 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! I dont mean how did it come about. The Church in Europe struggled mightilyand some might say in futilityagainst centuries of violence, sect on sect, nation vs nation. If our reader had said that he believed that Communion in the hand was more prone to dangers of accidents and profanation, I would accept the argument. 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. 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. 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. 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. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His Bishops who have been permitted to introduce the new rite of communion are asked to send a report to the congregation, six months hence, on the outcome. 1. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). 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. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. 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. Here in India Communion is distributed both on tongue and in hand. Our worship ought to create common unity under Christ, not destroy it. If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your sacrament that you receive. 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 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. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. 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. [9] Theodore of Mopsuestia, Catechetical Homilies 6. St. The Council of Saragossa, 380, excommunicated anyone who dared continue to receive Holy Communion in the hand. After receiving Communion our bodies become holy chalices. 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. 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. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah IMHO no, contrary to what some real traddies may say. This would be done especially if it is very difficult or impossible to fulfill the necessary conditions as outlined in the documents above. On the one hand, I think this evidence precludes describing communion in the hand as intrinsically irreverent. Scotland, 7 July 1977 Monaco, 31 October 1969 Alphonse Mingana (Gorgias Press: Piscataway, NJ, 2009 [1933]). 1396: In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? Fr. 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. 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. awr. Thanks for this, Dennis. To lessen our evil inclinations. 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. That the conference had voted twice but failed to approve the practice and then only won the third vote by gathering absentee votes which is the article claims was unlawful? [3] Augustine, Answer to Petilian 2.23.53and Against Parmenian 2.7.13. But one should not by his own judgment abstain from or return to communion, as he pleases. It is not solely the result of some weird medieval form of reverence. [10] See John Damascene, On the Orthodox Faith, 4.13. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. 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. 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. We should weigh very well the matters in which we appeal to conscience. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. 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.