7 rules for receiving communion in the hand 7 rules for receiving communion in the hand

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 . [11] Council of Constantinople in Trullo, canon 101. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. 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. 13.3, trans. 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. However, it was a brief exchange with ones immediate neighbors and at a time when men and women occupied separate aisles in the church. 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. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. However, since it is a permission, it does not generate an absolute right, and the pastors can rescind the permission, either generally or in particular circumstances if objective motives exist for doing so. From these documents, we can deduce the following points. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. 6, trans. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. There is also evidence that this was a contested subject (i.e., about what sins prevent someone from receiving), as it would continue to be throughout the history of the Church. Jamaica, 12 March 1970 Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 (or: Which Heresy Will You Give Up for Lent? 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. Liturgical Press | School of Theology Seminary | Saint John's Abbey | Comments Policy | Contact Us 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? 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. My country is not on this list but holy communion is the norm. 1. Was changing the mode reception of Communion one of them? New Zealand, 24 April 1974 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. 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. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. 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. Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands. 2. 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. 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. To signify, seal, and apply to believers all the benefits of the new covenant. 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. 6. In order to be properly disposed to . 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. 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. Sacrilege is at an all-time high, yet use of the Sacrament of Confession is at an all-time low. On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. I suspect that Christ can cope with particles that get dropped but the care we show, or the lack of care, is what counts. enough bread and wine are made ready for the communication of the faithful at each Mass.45 As a general rule, Holy Communion is given from hosts . 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. Per The Baltimore Catechism: The following norms must therefore be respected. 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.. 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. Paul W. Harkins ACW 31 (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1963). The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. We owe the Lord as much attention to detail. It was proved that belief in the Real Presence is abysmal. 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. Why? The person distributing Communion says audibly to each person approaching, "The Body of Christ." [17] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 7.9.4. Whatever one thinks about the practice today and its reemergence after Vatican II, it is important that our conversation be grounded in an accurate picture of the history of this practice. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable.. 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. But we doyes, verily. 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. Thanks for this, Dennis. OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF. [11] In East Syria (what we would now call the Middle East) we have evidence from Ephrem the Syrian[12] and Narsai. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. 915). England and Wales, 6 March 1976 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 communicant should audibly respond, "Amen," indicating by that response his or her belief that this small wafer of bread, the wine in this chalice are in reality the body and blood of Christ the Lord. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. [9] Theodore of Mopsuestia, Catechetical Homilies 6. When the bishops reassembled, Cardinal John Carberry of St. Louis, a determined opponent of Communion in the hand, was quick to get up to set things straight. However, this is likely to lead to many embarrassing instances for the faithful who approach communion unaware of the situation. [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans. 96). 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. Biting, tearing, casting aspersions on the faith of other Catholics: this is a damnable situation in the Church. Do we have faith in the efficacy of the sacraments or not? Some scholars claim that this part of the Mystical Catechesis is not originally from St. Cyril but a later interpolation into the text. Its just BREAD!!. [23], The great and divine Apostle Paul with loud voice calls man created in the image of God, the body and temple of Christ. The legitimacy of Communion in the hand is not in question. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. 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. 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 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. It describes one of the purposes of the opening song of the Mass as to "foster the unity of those who have been gathered" (no. As a scholar of the early Church, I was surprised to learn that the practice of communion in the hand is such a hotly debated topic; it came to my attention during the early days of the pandemic, when many dioceses required communicants to receive in this way. The Holy See has made it abundantly clear that both manners of reception of Communion - on the tongue and in the hand - are permitted, that Communion should be received reverently, and that the manner of reception should not become an occasion of division in the church. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. 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. I mean WHAT SPECIFIC REASONS were given for requesting it in the first place? With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer 'Amen'. The way we communicate the Gospel message is almost as important as the Gospel itself. To that which you are you respond Amen (yes, it is true!) and by responding to it you assent to it. 51 (Feb), pg 62). The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. This would be done especially if it is very difficult or impossible to fulfill the necessary conditions as outlined in the documents above. 161. If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. 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. 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. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) TOP When we receive Communion, we become members of Christ's Body, the Church. 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. Others claim that in the context of the discourse St. Cyril was referring to the clergy and not to the faithful. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. 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. 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. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to . Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. 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.. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? 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. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. Maybe this is part of a grand conspiracy by Satan to destroy the Church (ok, probably not that). 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. Q. 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. Papua and New Guinea, 28 April 1976 Instead of receiving in my hand, thinking "the other way is better," and quickly gobbling up the Eucharist, I took the "popular way," as a gift: I put my left hand on top of my right . 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. [20] Cyril of Jerusalem, myst. 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. So the authors claim that he is exactly Vatican II is doubtful. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. Catholics use birth control, get divorced and fornicate at the same rate as society in general, with the sin of using birth control rarely confessed. After stipulating the historical practice of Communion in the hand, Memoriale Domini: defends the development of discipline that led to Communion on the tongue If he is a religious priest, what actions can a legitimate superior take as regards the member who denies Communion in the hand? 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. 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! This means that Jesus has no eyes but our eyes, no feet . Australia, 26 September 1975 Pray Tell here documents two statements of the Congregation for Divine Worship issued under Pope Paul VI. 895. 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. On the one hand, I think this evidence precludes describing communion in the hand as intrinsically irreverent. Since Christ is really, substantially, sacramentally present but not physically, being OC over crumbs is not devotion. Scotland, 7 July 1977 With regard to the second, we have many early witnesses including Paul (see 1 Cor 11:27) and the Didache (seechapter 14). 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). A letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship to presidents of bishops conferences on May 29, 1969: AAS 61 (1969) 546-547; Notitiae 5 (1969) 351-353: In reply to the request of your conference of bishops regarding permission to give communion by placing the host on the hand of the faithful, I wish to communicate the following. Eccl., VII, ix). Ive updated the post. 4. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. Now we feel our affluence threatened, and the Gospel gives no comfort on that front. Theres no simple solution to this issue. 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. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah So Indian Bishop conference have not got any Indult for communion in hand? 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. Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. 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. For example, there is ample evidence that the exchange of peace between the people was practiced well into the Middle Ages in several European countries. If you are the body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord; it is your sacrament that you receive. Madagascar 2 March 1970 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. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. The communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. To be a pledge of everlasting life. [2] 2 Accept Communion in a state of grace. 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. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. This is the reason why you say after him: Amen.[21]. 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. Paul VI had a measure of it in 1974, and we hav emostly missed the wisdom of Evangelii Nuntiandi. 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: 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. For you hear the words, the Body of Christ and respond Amen. Be then a member of the Body of Christ that your Amen may be true (St. Augustine, Sermon 272: PL 38, 1247). 48 (Sept/Oct), pg 361. 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. 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. 2. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. [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. In the United States, the body of Bishops has determined that "[t]he norm is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling"and that a bow is the act of reverence made by those receiving (no. Canada, 12 February 1970 A Journal of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, by Elizabeth Klein Aaron, this describes what the countries are to do where Communion in the hand was being practiced. For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). If our reader had said that he believed that Communion in the hand was more prone to dangers of accidents and profanation, I would accept the argument. 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.". 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. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. 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 . [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. 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.. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. 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). We should rejoice in that. There are particles, and there are particles. St. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. James Shapiro, a literature prof at Columbia, says the situation is catastrophic: One reason was the way of the world. 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).