Many of us would treat your claims skeptically as unsupported rumor and gossip. Elizabeth Klein is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. When the priest gives it he says: The body of Christ. He teaches you by this word not to look at that which is visible, but to picture in your mind the nature of this oblation, which, by the coming of the Holy Spirit, is the body of Christ. We owe the Lord as much attention to detail. Chad, 18 September 1969 All the rites which use leavened bread are reverent but not obsessive. God has come to live in us. Q. In order to be properly disposed to . More people have received Communion in the past century. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. 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. II], The debate was interrupted by lunch. 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. The bishop, however, might sometimes deal with the religious priest through his superior in these matters. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. 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). It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better prepared groups and in favorable settings. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. France, 6 June 1969 Scotland, 7 July 1977 The following norms must, therefore, be respected. 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 . [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. Can you direct me to where you obtained this list? Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. [15] See the council of Auxerre, canon 36 (it directs women not to receive on their bare hands, but with their hand covered by a cloth). Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion. [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. Monaco, 31 October 1969 The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? No wonder so many people there have given up on Christianity. All rights reserved. In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. All of us are only grasping a hint of it. [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). 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. 895. This is more a question of moral theology than of liturgy. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. 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. Jesus wants to use our hands, which have now become His hands, to help those in need. 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. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. [4] Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John 6.1 and 12.1. 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. The same Instruction contained a reminder that the laws of the Church and the writings of the Fathers give ample witness of a supreme reverence and utmost caution toward the Eucharist and that this must continue. http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion. It is adoration of Christ, meal of fellowship, union with other communicants (hence the Church wants us to sing during reception), sharing in Christs self-sacrifice, mystical union with angels & saints, sharing even now in the heavenly banquet, having the life of the Risen Christ in oneself, a call to charity and works of justice and making real on earth the peace foreshadowed in Communion, etc. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. Here in India Communion is distributed both on tongue and in hand. But back in the West, where most of us at PT are from, the Church is struggling. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. When the communion is distributed under both kinds, it is never permitted to place in the hands of the communicants hosts which have first been placed in the Blood of the Lord. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. For real reception of the Blessed Eucharist it is required that the sacred species be received into the stomach. The following norms must therefore be respected. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. Why? 284-287 is to be followed.. [25] Origen of Alexandria, homily in Ex. Never receive Holy Communion by extending only one hand. 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. 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. [24] Trans. We have no nets to cast deeply. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. This means that Jesus has no eyes but our eyes, no feet . It describes one of the purposes of the opening song of the Mass as to "foster the unity of those who have been gathered" (no. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. The faithful must be taught that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and that therefore the worship of latria or adoration belonging to God is owed to Christ present in this sacrament. The Council was a start, but we have allowed ourselves to get sidetracked in silly and divisive banter. I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. 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 . When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. It is not solely the result of some weird medieval form of reverence. 6. Copyright PrayTellBlog.com For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord ( John 6:58 ). They would find many more areas we all need to work on than just their main focus. 160-161; English translation here) The custom of placing the Sacred Particle in the mouth, rather than in the hand of the communicant, dates in Rome from the sixth, and in Gaul from the ninth century (Van der Stappen, IV, 227; cf. Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. As seen above, the U.S. bishops were not among the first to permit Communion in the hand. So whats missing? 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. There are many devout Catholics who find this practice helpful. 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. Im not aware of that limitation and would like to see proper documentation. Uruguay,October 15 1969 [2] Cyprian, On the Good of Patience 14, On the Lapsed 16 and 26,and Letter 55.9. A perception such as this is a dreadfully inaccurate and impoverished understanding of what is a significant religious action. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). Please take responsibility for the lies, the bile, and the sinful stuff. The sad fact that in recent years hosts consecrated by a Pope have been offered for sale on the Internet further motivates this precautionary measure. Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (1 Cor 10:16-17). So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest you lose any portion thereof; for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members. If one is left-handed this is reversed. Yugoslavia, 1971 This is precisely why there are occasions when pastoral prudence can lead to suspend the permission. Some scholars claim that this part of the Mystical Catechesis is not originally from St. Cyril but a later interpolation into the text. 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. If we follow the example of the Fathers, we will prioritize practices that prevent the dropping of the Eucharist and catechizing communicants not to receive in a state of mortal sin. 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. Zambia, 11 March 1974 Does anyone have an explanation for why France, Germany, and the Low Countries were not quickly regularized once the opportunity was available? 7. 47), and says of the Communion Chant that "its purpose [is] to express the spiritual union of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show gladness of heart, and to bring out more clearly the 'communitarian' character of the procession to receive the Eucharist" (no. 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. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. Per The Baltimore Catechism: 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. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better-prepared groups and in favorable settings. Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 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. 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. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) TOP 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. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. [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. I think that settles it. The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. 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. I am a daily witness at the Basilique du Sacr-Cur de Montmartre (Paris).. This is the reason why you say after him: Amen.[21]. Whether to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue are liturgical disciplines, not dogmas. University of Notre Dame, McGrath Institute for Church Life 51 (Feb), pg 62). 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. England and Wales, 6 March 1976 http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/truth-about-communion-in-hand-while.html#.Wpa2wdIUnGg. 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. Among Catholics, there is a sincere difference of opinion with respect to the opportunity of this practice, as to its possible spiritual benefits or detriments. 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). 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. 21. 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. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ's faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing" (Redemptionis Sacramentum, no. 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.