7 rules for receiving communion in the hand
(Catholic Encyclopedia: Genuflexion) The Council was a start, but we have allowed ourselves to get sidetracked in silly and divisive banter. But whatever the case, it is the Pope who decides to authorize it for countries, and it is indisputable that he did so. Luxembourg, October 15 1969 Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from youSt. 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. Jesus wants to use our hands, which have now become His hands, to help those in need. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the Eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. 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. It is clear that this mode of reception was considered reverent and was to be carried out in a reverent manner. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. 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! 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.. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? In 1980 St. John Paul II wrote in the apostolic letterDominicae Cenae: In some countries, the practice of receiving Communion in the hand has been introduced. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. That said, there are dimensions to this discussion that I think are both valuable and havent been given much screen time overall. Communion in the hand is allowed in the United States by decision of the American Bishops. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? Phillip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889). 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. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. But we doyes, verily. 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. Paul VI had a measure of it in 1974, and we hav emostly missed the wisdom of Evangelii Nuntiandi. The legitimacy of Communion in the hand is not in question. 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 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. 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. What is Communion? It's Meaning and Symbolism Explained - Bible Study Tools Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. 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. 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). http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion. South Africa, 1971 Alphonse Mingana (Gorgias Press: Piscataway, NJ, 2009 [1933]). 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 divine coal is a common image of the Eucharist in Syrian theology. The fire of mercy has become for us a living sacrifice Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. The Communion Procession is an action of the Body of Christ. The Proper Way to Receive Holy Communion - Shrub Oak, NY 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). The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. When one receives from the chalice, the same proclamation is made by the person distributing Communion and the Communicant again responds, "Amen." (or: Which Heresy Will You Give Up for Lent? Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. 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. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. 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 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. 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. [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. 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. No wonder so many people there have given up on Christianity. In order to be properly disposed to . His blood now flows through our veins. 1. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by . First, Cyril: Coming up to receive, therefore, do not approach with your wrists extended or your fingers splayed, but making your left hand a throne for the right (for it is about to receive a King) and cupping your palm, so receive the Body of Christ; and answer: "Amen." [20] Here is what Theodore says: 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. The question has been asked for a long time since the Church has often allowed both methods of reception. 895. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. On the other hand, this mode of communion is not anywhere associated with lay involvement or accessibility, nor is it thought to de-emphasize the role of the priest. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. For some, however, the singing of this hymn is perceived as an intrusion on their own prayer, their private thanksgiving after Communion. It was proved that belief in the Real Presence is abysmal. The True Story of Communion in the Hand Revealed - OnePeterFive Reverence can be good if it opens us to God & neighbor and makes us more loving. To lessen our evil inclinations. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. [5] John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent 28. For this reason, since the question of Communion in the hand is not a question of faith as such, and it has been approved by the legitimate authority, I do not believe that a priest can invoke conscience as a motive for refusing to apply a legitimate law. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. 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. Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. The author seems to think that liturgical reforms should consist of only what an ecumenical council prescribed. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. 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? Uruguay,October 15 1969 The liturgical renewal of St. Pius X which promoted the frequent reception of Communion were still quite young. 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. How to Properly Receive Communion on the Hands - catholiclegion It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. 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 considered Communion in the hand so irregular that he did not hesitate to consider it a grave fault. For example, Augustine writes, Someone might say that the Eucharist should not be received daily. 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. By this symbolic action, their denial would be clear to all. 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. W.R., Goa, India. The people administering the sacrament are asked to use hand sanitizer immediately before. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). 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. Still, while not the direction eventually taken, I believe restriction to be the more natural reading of the Vaticans intent at that moment in time. Abuse. Blasphemy. Communion in the hand? Catholic Insight Hard to believe that Catechesis has never been better if that fundamental is misunderstood. For real reception of the Blessed Eucharist it is required that the sacred species be received into the stomach. The Council of Saragossa, 380, excommunicated anyone who dared continue to receive Holy Communion in the hand. One could have perfect adoration of Real Presence in humble posture and, at least in theory, miss the point of Communion. Scandinavia,October 15 1969 The life of Christ, the Holy Spirit, animates each of us individually, and all of us corporately and guides us together in our efforts to become one in Christ. Obviously, for better or worse, the NLM has an agenda. Because, he says, one should choose the days on which one lives with more purity and self-control in order to approach so great a sacrament worthily. (I dont direct this at you, I mean it to everyone on all sides.). They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. Scotland, 7 July 1977 Bishops Cannot Mandate Communion on the Hand or Forbid Communion on the And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. If one is left-handed this is reversed. 5.21, trans. 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. The rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. St. 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. St. France, 6 June 1969 Here in India Communion is distributed both on tongue and in hand. Do we have faith in the efficacy of the sacraments or not? Maybe this is due to decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments. And of course Pope Paul VI was adamant that all the reforms carried out under him were faithful to the Second Vatican Council. 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. I do make the point that reverence, while important, is not the only or most important aspect of Communion. Jamaica, 12 March 1970 Your fire, O, Our Lord we have eaten in your offering 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 7. These views are sometimes strongly held. [11] Council of Constantinople in Trullo, canon 101. 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. 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. 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). 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. [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. Jeffrey T. Wickes FotC 130 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2015). Guidelines for the Reception of Communion | USCCB To signify, seal, and apply to believers all the benefits of the new covenant. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? - AOD 6. My overarching point in all this (as someone who receives comfortably in both manners) is that I dont think common concerns with reception in the hand have been treated with adequate seriousness by many its defenders. II], As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable.. The missal of 1570 eliminated almost all sequences and moved the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar to the beginning of the Order of Mass though the Council of Trent never said a word about either. Japan, 27 June 1970 Look how military inspectors demand very high standards of care when inspecting barracks for cleanliness. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? 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 two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. 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). 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. 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. Its just BREAD!!. 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. Sacrilege is at an all-time high, yet use of the Sacrament of Confession is at an all-time low. From these documents, we can deduce the following points. Fr. It is difficult for some of us to embrace this emphasis on Mass as the action of a community rather than an individual act of my own faith and piety, but it is important that we make every effort to do so. Catechesis has been virtually non-existent or flat-out heretical for the last 50 years. [17] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 7.9.4. What Everyone Should Know About How To Receive Holy Communion 4. 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. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. [3] Augustine, Answer to Petilian 2.23.53and Against Parmenian 2.7.13. Indonesia, 27 March 1971 The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 Click herefor a handout that can be placed in your bulletin for your parishioner. I think proponents of tongue/kneeling will get a better hearing if they uphold all aspects of Communion. Ive updated the post. Come see, First, Chrysostom in one of his Homilies on Ephesians: What, do you not see the holy vessels so thoroughly cleansed all over, so resplendent? How to Receive the Eucharist | Catholic Answers 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. Receiving Communion The Sacrament of Holy Communion (also known as The Lord's Supper or Eucharist) has been precious and life-giving to Christians for 2,000 years. It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. Can you direct me to where you obtained this list? June 29, 2021 | Pandemic will affect Communion rituals for U.S. Christians But is the impression they give generally correct? All the rites which use leavened bread are reverent but not obsessive. 91). [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. Monaco, 31 October 1969 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. 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.. can. Biting, tearing, casting aspersions on the faith of other Catholics: this is a damnable situation in the Church. A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all. 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. It also rules out arguing for an intrinsic link between a rejection of the true presence and communion in the handthe Fathers, on the whole, speak of Christs presence in the Eucharist in highly realistic terms and also received on the hand. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. Finally, ensuring the application of liturgical law is above all the responsibility of the bishop and only indirectly the religious superior. New Zealand, 24 April 1974 As seen above, the U.S. bishops were not among the first to permit Communion in the hand. 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. Nowhere in this article did I see what the CHURCH says about Holy Communion, only the writers opinion. Over the years I have read a multitude of opinions for and against, and occasionally perceived false arguments. Paul W. Harkins ACW 31 (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1963). Some scholars claim that this part of the Mystical Catechesis is not originally from St. Cyril but a later interpolation into the text. University of Notre Dame, McGrath Institute for Church Life All of us are only grasping a hint of it. [20] Cyril of Jerusalem, myst. So Indian Bishop conference have not got any Indult for communion in hand? 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). 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. St. Elizabeth Klein is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. But such as, instead of their hands, make vessels of gold or other materials for the reception of the divine gift, and by these receive the immaculate communion, we by no means allow to come, as preferring inanimate and inferior matter to the image of God.[24]. A: The answer to this question is somewhat complex. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? 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. 51 (Feb), pg 62). 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). 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. Communion on the tongue remains the usual and common form of administering Holy Communion. The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. 284-287 is to be followed.. As for decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments, it seems more likely that catechesis has never been better, more Scripture-based, and more soundly theological. The way we communicate the Gospel message is almost as important as the Gospel itself. I beg to differ. If he is a religious priest, what actions can a legitimate superior take as regards the member who denies Communion in the hand? Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? The most ancient practice of distributing Holy Communion was, with all probability, to give Communion to the faithful in the palm of the hand. 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. 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 faithful receive Communion kneeling or standing, as established by the episcopal conference. Middle Africa, 3 February 1970 Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. Im skeptical of the claim that collecting absentee ballots for bishops conference votes is unlawful. 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.