To signify, seal, and apply to believers all the benefits of the new covenant. 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. A priest who is not directly responsible for the care of souls should be even more respectful of local practice. [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). These need to be taken seriously if one wants to effectively engage in these discussions with the likes of Cardinal Sarah and others. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by . 51 (Feb), pg 62). The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. It is still the practice of millions of committed Latin-rite Catholics all over the world and of many Eastern Churches who administer the Eucharist under both species on the tongue. July 2, 2020 ( LifeSiteNews) Many bishops around the world are attempting to compel Catholics, who are in the right dispositions to approach the Holy Eucharist, to receive Our Lord in the. Finally, the fact that the Communion Procession is a profoundly religious action tells us something about the way in which we should participate in this procession. 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. 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. 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. The Pope grants that throughout the territory of your conference, each bishop may, according to his prudent judgment and conscience, authorize in his diocese the introduction of the new rite for giving communion. 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. 86). 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Pope Paul Vl approved this Instruction, confirmed it with his authority, and ordered its publication, setting the day of publication as its effective date. If he is a religious priest, what actions can a legitimate superior take as regards the member who denies Communion in the hand? 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. The fire of mercy has become for us a living sacrifice
My three hypotheses were less well researched opinions on my part, theyre not (that last one was a joke on Cdl Sarahs comments, sorry if that wasnt clear), but simply launchpoints in an honest discussion on the impact of Pope Pauls Indult, and the circumstances surrounding it, whether or not they hold any real merit. I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. Here in India Communion is distributed both on tongue and in hand. Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. 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. Please remember that there is no "right" way to receive. 1. 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. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. [5] John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent 28. 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. 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. 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. 6. Please take responsibility for the lies, the bile, and the sinful stuff. It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. [1] This RCIA Process is the way in which you are prepared to be formally received by the Church; this is necessary before you can take Communion. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. The communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. 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. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. 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. 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. From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer 'Amen'. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. Even if we presume the authenticity of the text we still do not know how long the practice lasted, whether leavened or unleavened bread was used and whether the practice was exclusive to the Church of Jerusalem. IMHO no, contrary to what some real traddies may say. What some call discipleship, others evangelizationnew or whatever, or some speak of discernment and application of spiritual gifts. Unless there is a sense of discipleship rooted in baptism. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? 843 1; cf. 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. The Church understands the Communion Procession, in fact every procession in liturgy, as a sign of the pilgrim Church, the body of those who believe in Christ, on their way to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. The legitimacy of Communion in the hand is not in question. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). I dont read any statement with canonical force saying that only those countries may apply for an indult. And why so? To that which you are you respond Amen (yes, it is true!) and by responding to it you assent to it. This was the law of the Church for almost 14 centuries, and is still the general norm today. 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. The faithful receive Communion kneeling or standing, as established by the episcopal conference. 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 . 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. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it
Sure, Ill go along with that. [9] Theodore of Mopsuestia, Catechetical Homilies 6. Roland Teske (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2001). 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. Aaron, this describes what the countries are to do where Communion in the hand was being practiced. And to demonstrate reverence and. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better-prepared groups and in favorable settings. Rather maddeningly, it is the Anglicans who in the West have retained the practice as described by St. Cyril, while contemporary Latin-rite Catholics tend to consume the Host as if it were a potato chip., From the historical point of view, we can say that there is strong evidence that the practice existed in early centuries in some areas of the Church. Jamaica, 12 March 1970 This is the quote that is always used: " make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. At the same time, it is not justified to claim that Communion in the hand is necessarily less reverent or inevitably leads to abuses. 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. [18] Moreover, an early illuminated gospel, the Rosanno Gospels, depicts the last supper as a communion line, where the disciples receive in cupped hands while bowed. The debate was interrupted by lunch. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. To lessen our evil inclinations. Monaco, 31 October 1969 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. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. Hard to believe that Catechesis has never been better if that fundamental is misunderstood. Was changing the mode reception of Communion one of them? On the one hand, I think this evidence precludes describing communion in the hand as intrinsically irreverent. Canada, 12 February 1970 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. 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: In such cases, episcopal conferences should examine matters carefully and should make whatever decisions, by a secret vote and with a two-thirds majority, are needed to regulate matters. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. Care must also be taken that the communicants have clean hands and that their comportment is becoming and in keeping with the practices of the different peoples. He said that he had checked with the then Apostolic Delegation and had been assured that the pope was giving the boy a rosary. Why? [17] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 7.9.4. 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. 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. Does anyone have an explanation for why France, Germany, and the Low Countries were not quickly regularized once the opportunity was available? Back issue of Notitiae are accessible via the new website of the Congregation for Divine Worship at: http://www.cultodivino.va/content/cultodivino/it/rivista-notitiae/indici-annate.html. The Eucharist may not be received while a person has mortal sin in their soul. Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. In an even more elevated tone, Ephrem the Syrian, in a stunning passage, invites the Christian communicant to feel awe at what is placed in his or her hand, since even the Seraph did not take the divine coal with his hand, nor did the prophet Isaiah eat it (see: Isa 6:6). 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 . St. What a Priest Might Do If He Wants to Avoid It. 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. For some, however, the experience of the Communion Procession is far more prosaic, analogous perhaps to standing in line in the supermarket or at the motor vehicle bureau. 1396: In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. The Council was a start, but we have allowed ourselves to get sidetracked in silly and divisive banter. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. 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 rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Ireland, 4 September 1976 As seen above, the U.S. bishops were not among the first to permit Communion in the hand. 5. In this ordinance Christ ratifies his promises to his people, and they on their part solemnly consecrate themselves to him and to his entire service. 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. The people administering the sacrament are asked to use hand sanitizer immediately before. It must be presumed that a priest has sufficient formation in moral principles so as to exclude an erroneous conscience in such matters. Its just BREAD!!. Others claim that in the context of the discourse St. Cyril was referring to the clergy and not to the faithful. In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. I used the wordnecessarilyas an equivalent to in and of itself. There is no inherent reason why Communion in the hand is less reverent. 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. Confess it and move on. In North Africa (including Egypt) the practice is mentioned by Tertullian,[1] Cyprian,[2] Augustine,[3] Cyril of Alexandria,[4] and John Climacus. On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. Cyril of Jerusalem and Theodore of Mopsuestia liken the practice to that of receiving a king, and both of them note the method of reception was in joined hands (also described in other sources as hands in the form of a cross). Jesus wants to use our hands, which have now become His hands, to help those in need. However, it was a brief exchange with ones immediate neighbors and at a time when men and women occupied separate aisles in the church. 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. Djibouti, 6 March 1970 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! 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. Reverence can be good if it opens us to God & neighbor and makes us more loving. Theres no simple solution to this issue. 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). In light of some genuinely moving testimonies on the merits of reception in the hand, we cannot ignore that reverence for the Eucharist and belief in the Real Presence among Catholic laity has greatly declined since around the time in which this practice reenterred the Roman Rite after a millennium of absence. 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. 915). The Communion Procession is an action of the Body of Christ. The following norms must therefore be respected. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. 160). After stipulating the historical practice of Communion in the hand, Memoriale Domini: defends the development of discipline that led to Communion on the tongue Then he saw that it was futile. 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. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. England and Wales, 6 March 1976 By this symbolic action, their denial would be clear to all. [16] Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 4.24. Gross Alexander NPNF 13, ed. October 13, 2022. Churches are closing, priests are dying off, masses young people are dropping their faith, and the Church is slowly slipping into obscurity in its own homeland. 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. James Shapiro, a literature prof at Columbia, says the situation is catastrophic: One reason was the way of the world. We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church. The author seems to think that liturgical reforms should consist of only what an ecumenical council prescribed. I dont mean how did it come about. It is reported that a bishop shouted out, On the tongue or in the hand?. In this he shows a great fear, and since the hand that is stretched out holds a higher rank, it is the one that is extended for receiving the body of the King, and the other hand bears and brings its sister hand, while not thinking that it is playing the role of a servant, as it is equal with it in honour, on account of the bread of the King, which is also borne by it. I am from India. 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. It is clear that this mode of reception was considered reverent and was to be carried out in a reverent manner. God has come to live in us. The Council of Saragossa, 380, excommunicated anyone who dared continue to receive Holy Communion in the hand. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. Yet even here, the experts sometimes forgot the unrepeatable reality of original circumstances so that restoration is never quite the same. Australia, 26 September 1975 I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. All the rites which use leavened bread are reverent but not obsessive. The history of the liturgy, however, makes clear that rather early on a . 21. [27] John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instruction, 12.15-16, trans. The Church in Europe struggled mightilyand some might say in futilityagainst centuries of violence, sect on sect, nation vs nation. It was designed: 1. One could have perfect adoration of Real Presence in humble posture and, at least in theory, miss the point of Communion. For this is what it is to receive unworthily: if one receives at that time when he ought to be doing penance. The restorers of the rite probably had the beautiful simplicity and symbolism of the medieval rite in mind but did not take the changed circumstances sufficiently into account. 2. 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. So the authors claim that he is exactly Vatican II is doubtful. For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. I do make the point that reverence, while important, is not the only or most important aspect of Communion. Do we have faith in the efficacy of the sacraments or not? We have no nets to cast deeply. 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. 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. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. Since Christ is really, substantially, sacramentally present but not physically, being OC over crumbs is not devotion. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/truth-about-communion-in-hand-while.html#.Wpa2wdIUnGg. Featured Image: Rossano Gospels, Last Supper, 6th c.; Source: Wikimedia Commons, PD-Old-100. (Original Latin text here, see pp. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. 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.