3. 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. The causes are myriad and often interconnected. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. Zambia, 11 March 1974 It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. 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. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. 91). [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). Not only was Communion in the hand started in disobedience, it was perpetuated by deceit. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. [25] Origen of Alexandria, homily in Ex. 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. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family. 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. 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. 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. Look how military inspectors demand very high standards of care when inspecting barracks for cleanliness. We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. 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. 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). We owe the Lord as much attention to detail. After receiving Communion our bodies become holy chalices. I have celebrated Mass in places where there is no Communion in the hand and yet have observed some people approach the Eucharist in a slovenly and distracted manner with nary a trace of reverence in sight. Hence, my theory is that the wide granting of the indult exceeded its initially intended scope as continued prompting from advisors and larger-than-anticipated requests from conferences overcame the popes reluctance. Required fields are marked *. (Original Latin text here, see pp. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it. 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. 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. Councils establish principles (and rarely go into specific points) and then leave it to a commission to carry out the detailed work after the Council. The Holy Eucharist remits venial sins by disposing us to perform acts of love and contrition. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? 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. It should be noted that it is never permissible for a person to dip the host he or she has received into the chalice. 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. 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. 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. 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. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the Eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. Catechesis has been virtually non-existent or flat-out heretical for the last 50 years. 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. 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. Ever since the InstructionMemoriale Dominithree years ago, some of the conferences of bishops have been requesting the Apostolic See for the faculty to allow ministers distributing communion to place the eucharistic bread in the hand of the faithful. The way you put it, it doesnt sound obsessive-compulsive but salutary. [2] 2 Accept Communion in a state of grace. 4. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? What if we were passionate about all that? Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. Copyright PrayTellBlog.com Ireland, 4 September 1976 Bishops allowing introduction of the new way of receiving communion are requested to send to this Congregation after six months a report on the result of its concession.. It preserves us from mortal sin by exciting us to greater fervor and strengthening us against temptation. It was proved that belief in the Real Presence is abysmal. It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. 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). "You're talking to someone who has only owned a smartphone for a yearI resisted," he said. A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all. 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. Has done As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. [24] Trans. Fire and Spirit, contrary to nature In order to be properly disposed to . The question has been asked for a long time since the Church has often allowed both methods of reception. 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. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. 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. Some scholars claim that this part of the Mystical Catechesis is not originally from St. Cyril but a later interpolation into the text. In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. 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. The Church in Europe struggled mightilyand some might say in futilityagainst centuries of violence, sect on sect, nation vs nation. Can you direct me to where you obtained this list? Scotland, 7 July 1977 The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. 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. Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand? The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. Click herefor a handout that can be placed in your bulletin for your parishioner. How should this evidence be brought to bear on the modern conversation? 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. [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. June 29, 2021 | Jamaica, 12 March 1970 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. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? 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. 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. 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. 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: So the authors claim that he is exactly Vatican II is doubtful. cites vote tallies to defend a claim that a large majority (longe plurimos) of bishops not only oppose introducing Communion in the hand but consider it tum sensui tum spirituali cultui [] offensioni I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. [10] See John Damascene, On the Orthodox Faith, 4.13. Leo P. McCauley FotC 64 (Catholic University of America Press: Washington, DC, 2000 [1970]). The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. The problem is a lack of intentionality across the board, starting with the laity. If he is a religious priest, what actions can a legitimate superior take as regards the member who denies Communion in the hand? Pakistan, 29 October 1976 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: Gross Alexander NPNF 13, ed. Therefore I stand by what I wrote in the original: In this context I think it is fair to say that the present practice of Communion in the hand is not a simple restoration of a historical custom but rather introduced a new practice in new circumstances which, while it has some historical justification, is essentially motivated by current pastoral concerns in some parts of the world.. Paraguay, 27 September 1971 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 liturgical renewal of St. Pius X which promoted the frequent reception of Communion were still quite young. 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 The wind has left our sails and many of us are adrift on uncertain seas. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. In approaching therefore, come not with your wrists extended, or your fingers spread; but make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. All rights reserved. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. 2. There is a twofold purpose here: that none will find in the new rite anything disturbing to personal devotion toward the Eucharist; that this sacrament, the source and cause of unity by its very nature, will not become an occasion of discord between members of the faithful. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. [16] Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 4.24. Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. A quick example will be found . Maybe this is due to decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments. 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. The rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. 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? Indonesia, 27 March 1971 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). At Christ's invitation, extended by the priest acting in Christ's person: "Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb," the members of the community move forward to share in the sacred meal, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ which is the sign and the source of their unity. The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. Or is there more context that is missing? On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. 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 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. 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. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? A: The answer to this question is somewhat complex. [16] Liturgical evidence from Rome is always sparser than one would like, but Eusebius preserves a mention of communion in the hand in a letter written from Dionysius of Alexandria to Sixtus I, bishop of Rome,[17] and in a letter of Cornelius, bishop of Rome. I suspect that Christ can cope with particles that get dropped but the care we show, or the lack of care, is what counts. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. 7. 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. Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. Cardinals Thorne (Peru) and Caffarra (Bologna) have banned Communion in the hand, citing reasons of abuse and disrespect. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal takes this hymn very seriously, mandating that it should begin at the Communion of the priest and extend until the last person has received Communion. When we move in procession, particularly the procession to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion, we are a sign, a symbol of that pilgrim Church "on the way.". 5. France, 6 June 1969 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. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. 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. 6. Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. 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. The legitimacy of Communion in the hand is not in question. England and Wales, 6 March 1976 Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. 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. 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. And of course Pope Paul VI was adamant that all the reforms carried out under him were faithful to the Second Vatican Council. 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. It may well be the case that the sudden change in practice after Vatican II decreased devotion towards the Eucharist and belief in the true presence, and it may well be the case that there were bad actors who in fact desired this result. 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]. II], The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 The way we communicate the Gospel message is almost as important as the Gospel itself. This is in no way meant to refer to those who, receiving the Lord Jesus in the hand, do so with profound reverence and devotion, in those countries where this practice has been authorized.. 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). Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. 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. 895. For tell me, if any one gave you grains of gold, would you not hold them with all carefulness, being on your guard against losing any of them, and suffering loss? Part 4. 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. Under the moral aspect will be considered, in reference to Holy Communion: necessity; subject; dispositions. I think that settles it. [11] Council of Constantinople in Trullo, canon 101. 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. With regard to the second, we have many early witnesses including Paul (see 1 Cor 11:27) and the Didache (seechapter 14). In the early Church, the faithful stood when receiving into their hands the consecrated particle can hardly be questioned. St. Dionysius of Alexandria [d. 265], writing to one of the popes of his time, speaks emphatically of one who has stood by the table and has extended his hand to receive the Holy Food (Eusebius [263-339], Hist. [21] Theodore of Mopsuestia, catech. And to demonstrate reverence and. [4] Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John 6.1 and 12.1. Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. W.R., Goa, India. 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 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. 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.. North Africa,October 15 1969 As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. In this context, I think it is fair to say that the present practice of Communion in the hand is not a simple restoration of a historical custom but rather introduced a new practice in new circumstances which, while it has some historical justification, is essentially motivated by current pastoral concerns in some parts of the world. The Council of Saragossa, 380, excommunicated anyone who dared continue to receive Holy Communion in the hand. From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). A Journal of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, by Elizabeth Klein These need to be taken seriously if one wants to effectively engage in these discussions with the likes of Cardinal Sarah and others. [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. Never receive Holy Communion by extending only one hand. New Zealand, 24 April 1974 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. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah But we doyes, verily. 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. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. The following norms must, therefore, be respected. 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. It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. vehementer hortatur retention of current practice while invoking the common good of the Church. The divine coal is a common image of the Eucharist in Syrian theology. Bolivia, October 15 1969 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. A passage from St. Cyril of Jerusalem is used to persuade Catholics that Communion in the hand is an ancient practice legitimately restored after Vatican II. I dont read any statement with canonical force saying that only those countries may apply for an indult. 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. Per The Baltimore Catechism: We should rejoice in that. http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/truth-about-communion-in-hand-while.html#.Wpa2wdIUnGg. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). [12] Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on Faith 10 and Hymns on Virginity 33.7. 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 most ancient practice of distributing Holy Communion was, with all probability, to give Communion to the faithful in the palm of the hand. 160-161; English translation here) And some who do have lost their strength or nerve. . [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. The Council was a start, but we have allowed ourselves to get sidetracked in silly and divisive banter.
