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For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. Instead, this option must increase in them a consciousness of the dignity of the members of Christs Mystical Body, into which they are incorporated by baptism and by the grace of the Eucharist. These need to be taken seriously if one wants to effectively engage in these discussions with the likes of Cardinal Sarah and others. God has come to live in us. Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. 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. Or is there more context that is missing? Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. We are the Body of Christ, moving forward to receive the Christ who makes us one with himself and with one another. 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. 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. A Journal of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, by Elizabeth Klein I do make the point that reverence, while important, is not the only or most important aspect of Communion. 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? 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. Interestingly, during the Middle Ages, the reception of Holy Communion was restricted to "on the tongue" because of abuses. 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 any danger or hint of danger of profaning the Eucharist. 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. Then he saw that it was futile. divine life. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the Priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? 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. The liturgical assembly of the baptized that comes together for the celebration of the Eucharist is a witness to, a manifestation of, the pilgrim Church. 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 . 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 But we doyes, verily. [5] John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent 28. It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. 896. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). Required fields are marked *. The author seems to think that liturgical reforms should consist of only what an ecumenical council prescribed. Q. 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. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. 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], To receive the Sacrament which is given, a person stretches out his right hand, and under it he places the left hand. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 91). Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. Maybe this is due to decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments. 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 . South Africa, 1971 It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. It is a matter of particular seriousness that in places where the new practice is lawfully permitted every one of the faithful have the option of receiving communion on the tongue and even when other persons are receiving communion in the hand. Paul VI had a measure of it in 1974, and we hav emostly missed the wisdom of Evangelii Nuntiandi. [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. I dont read any statement with canonical force saying that only those countries may apply for an indult. [T]hose who restrict communicants to receive Holy Communion only in the hands are acting against the norms, as are those who refuse to Christ's faithful [the right] to receive Communion in the hand in dioceses that enjoy this indult. Djibouti, 6 March 1970 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. The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . [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. From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. If, for some reason, the communicant is not able or willing to drink from the cup then that person should receive only under the form of bread. 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. This action by Christ's body, the Church assembled for the Eucharist, is manifested and supported by the Communion Chant, a hymn in praise of Christ sung by the united voices of those who believe in him and share his life. What a Priest Might Do If He Wants to Avoid It. 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. This is a fundamental misunderstanding. Greg., Dial., I, III, c. iii). 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. Pray Tell here documents two statements of the Congregation for Divine Worship issued under Pope Paul VI. Never receive Holy Communion by extending only one hand. If one is left-handed this is reversed. 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. To be a pledge of everlasting life. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. Chad, 18 September 1969 The option offered to the faithful of receiving the Eucharistic bread in their hand and putting it into their own mouth must not turn out to be the occasion for regarding it as ordinary bread or as just another religious article. Paraguay, 27 September 1971 The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. To continue the sacrifice of the Cross in His Church. Permission for administering Communion in the hand was granted by the Holy See to the United States on June 17, 1977 and has since become almost the universal norm in the Ordinary Form. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. awr. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah 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.. Fire consumed the offering The wind has left our sails and many of us are adrift on uncertain seas. Just look at what making donating money an indulgence-eligible corporal work of mercy resulted in during the Renaissance. And why so? Instead this option must increase in them a consciousness of the dignity of the members of Christs Mystical Body, into which they are incorporated by baptism and by the grace of the Eucharist. 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. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) TOP [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. Pope Paul Vl approved this Instruction, confirmed it with his authority, and ordered its publication, setting the day of publication as its effective date. 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. 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. 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? I beg to differ. The cultural backing. However, this is likely to lead to many embarrassing instances for the faithful who approach communion unaware of the situation. So when received unworthily, it is not only useless, but it is harmful to oneself (a lifestyle of sin continues), our neighbors (increase of violence, arson, looting, murders), and society in general (take a look at the condition of our country), and is extremely offensive to God (hence the wide-spread suffering). 160). Over the years I have read a multitude of opinions for and against, and occasionally perceived false arguments. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. Obviously, for better or worse, the NLM has an agenda. They partake not of Him that is in them, they perceive Him not. Im skeptical of the claim that collecting absentee ballots for bishops conference votes is unlawful. Aaron, this describes what the countries are to do where Communion in the hand was being practiced. It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. O Solomon, the thing which the Lord of your father The following norms must therefore be respected. In North Africa (including Egypt) the practice is mentioned by Tertullian,[1] Cyprian,[2] Augustine,[3] Cyril of Alexandria,[4] and John Climacus. St. It is not solely the result of some weird medieval form of reverence. 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 legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. But back in the West, where most of us at PT are from, the Church is struggling. Gross Alexander NPNF 13, ed. 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 . Ireland, 4 September 1976 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 . From these documents, we can deduce the following points. 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 the quote that is always used: " make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. 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 US might have been little-touched by the scorched earth of world war, and perhaps our feel-good stance astride the planet delayed the decay somewhat. We should rejoice in that. So whats missing? Aaron, 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. 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. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. Holt Orders cannot sustain the Church, no matter how much traditionalists preach priests are of the utmost importance. For real reception of the Blessed Eucharist it is required that the sacred species be received into the stomach. I think that settles it. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. 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. The question has been asked for a long time since the Church has often allowed both methods of reception. 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.. Roland Teske (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2001). The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. The faithful receive Communion kneeling or standing, as established by the episcopal conference. 48 (Sept/Oct), pg 361. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the Eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. October 13, 2022. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by . All of us are only grasping a hint of it. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. Timothy O'Malley, Copyright 2023 It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. 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. Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. 13.3, trans. 6, trans. Bolivia, October 15 1969 Phillip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889). France, 6 June 1969 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.