7 rules for receiving communion in the hand

Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. 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. Receiving Communion - Prayer & Spiritual Life - Greek Orthodox Australia, 26 September 1975 [11] In East Syria (what we would now call the Middle East) we have evidence from Ephrem the Syrian[12] and Narsai. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. To signify, seal, and apply to believers all the benefits of the new covenant. These considerations can perhaps help balance our perspective (whether in favor or against the practice of communion in the hand), and alert us to the fact that reverence is a complex phenomenon that, of course, does involve postures of the body, but most importantly, the attitude of the heart. 51 (Feb), pg 62). Copyright PrayTellBlog.com [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better prepared groups and in favorable settings. 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). [22] Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on Faith 10, trans. [3] Augustine, Answer to Petilian 2.23.53and Against Parmenian 2.7.13. 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. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. United States, 17 June 1977 The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 His blood now flows through our veins. 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. 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. The General Instruction asks each country's Conference of Bishops to determine the posture to be used for the reception of Communion and the act of reverence to be made by each person as he or she receives Communion. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. 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. After receiving Communion our bodies become holy chalices. 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. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. 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! James Shapiro, a literature prof at Columbia, says the situation is catastrophic: One reason was the way of the world. It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. We should weigh very well the matters in which we appeal to conscience. The Eucharist may not be received while a person has mortal sin in their soul. My simple point is that the individual ways our Church evolves over history have a significant impact on its life thereafter, often in ways we dont expect. 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 think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. 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. Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. The oldest reference to the Eucharist in the New Testament occurs in chapters 11 and 12 of the First Letter to the Corinthians, which has no reference to receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. Cdl. McElroy doubles down on heresy, pushes Communion for 'sexually Others claim that in the context of the discourse St. Cyril was referring to the clergy and not to the faithful. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. For some, however, the singing of this hymn is perceived as an intrusion on their own prayer, their private thanksgiving after Communion. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 6. Never receive Holy Communion by extending only one hand. It is advisable, therefore, that the rite be introduced gradually and in the beginning within small, better-prepared groups and in favorable settings. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Catholics want to know if it is allowed for their bishops and priests to require Communion be received only on in the hand instead of on the tongue. He said that he had checked with the then Apostolic Delegation and had been assured that the pope was giving the boy a rosary. But to us our Lord has given both . Hard to believe that Catechesis has never been better if that fundamental is misunderstood. [16] Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 4.24. Uruguay,October 15 1969 Our bishops have argued that Communion in the hand is the proper way for the faithful to respond to our Lord's invitation: "All of you, take and eat this." What the bishops overlook is the fact . 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. 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. October 13, 2022. Confess it and move on. But back in the West, where most of us at PT are from, the Church is struggling. [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. From these documents, we can deduce the following points. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. 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. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). This is precisely why there are occasions when pastoral prudence can lead to suspend the permission. 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. Pakistan, 29 October 1976 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. I quite deliberately eschewed entering the historical argument as it would have digressed from the main point of that article. 1. This is the reason why you say after him: Amen.[21]. 895. And to demonstrate reverence and. South Africa, 1971 The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah 6. How to Receive the Eucharist | Catholic Answers What Everyone Should Know About How To Receive Holy Communion For real reception of the Blessed Eucharist it is required that the sacred species be received into the stomach. 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). Featured Image: Rossano Gospels, Last Supper, 6th c.; Source: Wikimedia Commons, PD-Old-100. [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. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. 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. divine life. What some call discipleship, others evangelizationnew or whatever, or some speak of discernment and application of spiritual gifts. [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans. The Church understands the Communion Procession, in fact every procession in liturgy, as a sign of the pilgrim Church, the body of those who believe in Christ, on their way to the Heavenly Jerusalem. For Catholics: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. Interestingly, during the Middle Ages, the reception of Holy Communion was restricted to "on the tongue" because of abuses. Under the moral aspect will be considered, in reference to Holy Communion: necessity; subject; dispositions. 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? Archbishop Anthony Fisher, OP, of Sydney published an excellent paper on the topic of conscience and authority which can be found at:https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7833or, in a slightly briefer form athttps://zenit.org/articles/bishop-fisher-on-conscience-and-authority/. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. 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? In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. If one is left-handed this is reversed. 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. 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. If a priest has great personal difficulty due to deeply and sincerely held views regarding this practice, he can always petition the bishop for a personal exemption or a permission to not apply this permission to his parish. 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. It seems appropriate to conclude this reflection on the Communion Procession and the reception of Communion with a quotation from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 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. Sure, Ill go along with that. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Holy Communion - New Advent II], 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. 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. St. When we receive Communion, we become members of Christ's Body, the Church. These need to be taken seriously if one wants to effectively engage in these discussions with the likes of Cardinal Sarah and others. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. Greg., Dial., I, III, c. iii). Bolivia, October 15 1969 I think youre right that, without an explicitly limiting clause, there is no canonically binding restriction to those countries, and that the subsequent granting of dispensation ultimately belied such restriction. The Church in Europe struggled mightilyand some might say in futilityagainst centuries of violence, sect on sect, nation vs nation. This is a fundamental misunderstanding. 2. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. 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. This norm is supported by an Instruction by the Holy See regarding the Eucharist: "In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that 'sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them'(Code of Canon Law, can. Communion in the hand is no more hygienic than Communion in the mouth. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it 96). 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. June 29, 2021 | How should this evidence be brought to bear on the modern conversation? While we have the option of receiving holy Communion either on the tongue or on the hand, we must always be mindful of receiving our Lord respectfully. 284-287 is to be followed.. Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 The guidelines recommend against serving Communion until gatherings of more than 50 people are allowed. The question has been asked for a long time since the Church has often allowed both methods of reception. What if we were passionate about all that? The debate was interrupted by lunch. Djibouti, 6 March 1970 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. Communion in the hand vs. Communion on the tongue | Crux These views are sometimes strongly held. 48 (Sept/Oct), pg 361. John Paul II and Mother Theresa on Communion in the Hand I think that settles it. 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.". Upper Volta and Niger, 20 February 1970 When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? It is bad if it makes us prideful/judgmental and distracts from more important things. A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all. What a Priest Might Do If He Wants to Avoid It. Middle Africa, 3 February 1970 And of course Pope Paul VI was adamant that all the reforms carried out under him were faithful to the Second Vatican Council. I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive.