7 rules for receiving communion in the hand

Elizabeth Klein is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. There are particles, and there are particles. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. Malaysia and Singapore, 3 October 1977, * * * * *. For Catholics: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. 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 appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 4). The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to . With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it 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. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. [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. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. When one receives from the chalice, the same proclamation is made by the person distributing Communion and the Communicant again responds, "Amen." [24] Trans. This is a fundamental misunderstanding. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). [3] Augustine, Answer to Petilian 2.23.53and Against Parmenian 2.7.13. This was the law of the Church for almost 14 centuries, and is still the general norm today. Holt Orders cannot sustain the Church, no matter how much traditionalists preach priests are of the utmost importance. Henry Percival and ed. Basil the Great considered Communion in the hand so irregular that he did not hesitate to consider it a grave fault. ODonaghues post, I note with interest that the countries in which Communion in the hand is alleged to have been most prevalent either did not apply for or at any rate receive an indult in these first 8 years of results. in Eph 3, trans. 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. [25] Origen of Alexandria, homily in Ex. 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). . [2] 2 Accept Communion in a state of grace. This helps explain why this line of thought isnt gaining much traction except on the right fringe. 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. 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. But as time passed it became the practice to receive Communion directly on the tongue in order to assure that the Host was received reverently. For example, Augustine writes, Someone might say that the Eucharist should not be received daily. France, 6 June 1969 From these documents, we can deduce the following points. 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 wind has left our sails and many of us are adrift on uncertain seas. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). 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. Ive updated the post. 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. As seen above, the U.S. bishops were not among the first to permit Communion in the hand. 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. [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. 86). Communion on the tongue is recommended and considered the most consonant way to receive the Eucharist, while Communion on the hand is permitted, provided that certain precautions are observed, such as checking to see if any fragments of the Host remain on the palm of the hand. 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. Part 4. The bishop, however, might sometimes deal with the religious priest through his superior in these matters. They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. [23], The great and divine Apostle Paul with loud voice calls man created in the image of God, the body and temple of Christ. 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. http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. (Catholic Encyclopedia: Genuflexion) 3. The guidelines recommend against serving Communion until gatherings of more than 50 people are allowed. 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. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. 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! 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. awr. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. It is simply reading too much into this practice, and it is not correct to support something one favors by denigrating another practice. I used the wordnecessarilyas an equivalent to in and of itself. There is no inherent reason why Communion in the hand is less reverent. For some, however, the experience of the Communion Procession is far more prosaic, analogous perhaps to standing in line in the supermarket or at the motor vehicle bureau. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. St. The rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Your email address will not be published. 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. [21] Theodore of Mopsuestia, catech. 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. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 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.. 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. He said that he had checked with the then Apostolic Delegation and had been assured that the pope was giving the boy a rosary. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. Im skeptical of the claim that collecting absentee ballots for bishops conference votes is unlawful. When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. This would be done especially if it is very difficult or impossible to fulfill the necessary conditions as outlined in the documents above. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says the following: 160. Finally, the fact that the Communion Procession is a profoundly religious action tells us something about the way in which we should participate in this procession. Their decisions should be sent to Rome to receive the necessary confirmation, []. The document does not have numbered paragraphs to cite, but youll find it a few paragraphs after the tabulation of votes collected from bishops. Dear Patrick, But to us our Lord has given both . Obviously, for better or worse, the NLM has an agenda. 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. 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. 13.3, trans. Not only was Communion in the hand started in disobedience, it was perpetuated by deceit. Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. The list obviously is not complete, for this article says that Germany and France both received permission from the Holy See on the same day in 1969: In 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. Others claim that in the context of the discourse St. Cyril was referring to the clergy and not to the faithful. In order to be properly disposed to . The problem is a lack of intentionality across the board, starting with the laity. Phillip Schaff and Henry Wace in NPNF Second Series, 14 (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1900). 7. Scandinavia,October 15 1969 [1] This RCIA Process is the way in which you are prepared to be formally received by the Church; this is necessary before you can take Communion. Bolivia, October 15 1969 We are the Body of Christ, moving forward to receive the Christ who makes us one with himself and with one another. For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord ( John 6:58 ). Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. 91). Mingle and flow into the palms of his disciples![22]. Upper Volta and Niger, 20 February 1970 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. [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. Todd, yes, the Church as a whole is growing thanks to the great efforts of missionaries in Africa and Asia (many are now coming back here), and yes, more people are receiving the Sacraments now than ever. The way you put it, it doesnt sound obsessive-compulsive but salutary. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. Communion should not be received on the run, as you're walking back to your place; it should be consumed before you leave the area below the altar. 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). 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. Middle Africa, 3 February 1970 These views are sometimes strongly held. Monaco, 31 October 1969 Excelling, therefore, every sensible creature, he who by the saving Passion has attained to the celestial dignity, eating and drinking Christ, is fitted in all respects for eternal life, sanctifying his soul and body by the participation of divine grace. Phillip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889). The cultural backing. Communion in the hand is allowed in the United States by decision of the American Bishops. 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. I beg to differ. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. 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. 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 . 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). The traditional and preferred method is the reception of the Host on the tongue: Step forward and kneel at the Communion rail or station (if you stand, make a sign of reverencesuch as a bow or genuflection or Sign of the Crossbefore receiving the Host and take care not to disrupt the Communion line). All our lives we who believe in Christ are moving in time toward that moment when we will be taken by death from this world and enter into the joy of the Lord in the eternal Kingdom he has prepared for us. I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. Receiving the host in one's hand has been an option in the United States since the bishops authorized this in May 1977 and the Holy See confirmed it. From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. Scotland, 7 July 1977 Now we feel our affluence threatened, and the Gospel gives no comfort on that front. [20] Cyril of Jerusalem, myst. The Holy Eucharist remits venial sins by disposing us to perform acts of love and contrition. 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. The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . My country is not on this list but holy communion is the norm. Jeffrey T. Wickes FotC 130 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2015). 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. I am from India. For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. But whatever the case, it is the Pope who decides to authorize it for countries, and it is indisputable that he did so. 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? 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. 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. All of us are only grasping a hint of it. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. The fire of mercy has become for us a living sacrifice 51 (Feb), pg 62). 5. In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. The causes are myriad and often interconnected. 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 R. E. Heine FotC 21 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 1982). Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church (330-379): "The right to receive Holy Communion in the hand is permitted only in times of persecution.".

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