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. 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. Your fire, O, Our Lord we have eaten in your offering 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. The history of the liturgy, however, makes clear that rather early on a . 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. Germany, 6 June 1969 We should rejoice in that. My overarching point in all this (as someone who receives comfortably in both manners) is that I dont think common concerns with reception in the hand have been treated with adequate seriousness by many its defenders. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand? The divine coal is a common image of the Eucharist in Syrian theology. The problem of lack of reverence stems not from the manner of receiving Communion but from the lack of faith, awe, and gratitude before this great mystery. When we receive Communion, we become members of Christ's Body, the Church. 96). What if our way of calling our fellow Christians to a higher way were based on loving example and not polemics? In fact, each time we move forward together to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord, we join the countless ranks of all the baptized who have gone before us, our loved ones, the canonized and uncanonized saints down through the ages, who at their time in history formed a part of this mighty stream of believers. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. Jamaica, 12 March 1970 [23] John Chrysostom, hom. 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. The guidelines recommend against serving Communion until gatherings of more than 50 people are allowed. Space doesn't allow all the details, but the propaganda in the 1970s that was used to sell Communion in the hand to a trusting, vulnerable people was a campaign of calculated half-truths that didn't tell the whole story. Many of us would treat your claims skeptically as unsupported rumor and gossip. A perception such as this is a dreadfully inaccurate and impoverished understanding of what is a significant religious action. [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. 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. 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? 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. Luxembourg, October 15 1969 21. This was the law of the Church for almost 14 centuries, and is still the general norm today. Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. 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. We should weigh very well the matters in which we appeal to conscience. As for decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments, it seems more likely that catechesis has never been better, more Scripture-based, and more soundly theological. Because, he says, one should choose the days on which one lives with more purity and self-control in order to approach so great a sacrament worthily. We are the Body of Christ, moving forward to receive the Christ who makes us one with himself and with one another. Paul W. Harkins ACW 31 (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1963). Maybe this is due to its similarity to practices in most Protestant churches, many of which (Anglicans and Lutherans notwithstanding) fundamentally dont believe in a sacramental Communion substance. Aaron, this describes what the countries are to do where Communion in the hand was being practiced. Does anyone have an explanation for why France, Germany, and the Low Countries were not quickly regularized once the opportunity was available? Phillip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889). 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]. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. This means that Jesus has no eyes but our eyes, no feet . The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. Copyright PrayTellBlog.com 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. There are particles, and there are particles. It is clear that this mode of reception was considered reverent and was to be carried out in a reverent manner. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to . It was designed: 1. United States, 17 June 1977 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. However, it was a brief exchange with ones immediate neighbors and at a time when men and women occupied separate aisles in the church. [9] Theodore of Mopsuestia, Catechetical Homilies 6. Jesus wants to use our hands, which have now become His hands, to help those in need. Malaysia and Singapore, 3 October 1977, * * * * *. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. I dont mean how did it come about. Among Catholics, there is a sincere difference of opinion with respect to the opportunity of this practice, as to its possible spiritual benefits or detriments. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says the following: 160. http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion. Can you direct me to where you obtained this list? From these documents, we can deduce the following points. 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. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. These need to be taken seriously if one wants to effectively engage in these discussions with the likes of Cardinal Sarah and others. [25] Origen of Alexandria, homily in Ex. [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. 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. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. 7. Phillip Schaff and Henry Wace in NPNF Second Series, 14 (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1900). Look how military inspectors demand very high standards of care when inspecting barracks for cleanliness. 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. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. To fit our bodies for a glorious resurrection. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. Never receive Holy Communion by extending only one hand. But to us our Lord has given both . What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? 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. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. 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. Click herefor a handout that can be placed in your bulletin for your parishioner. 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. The showing of tooth and claw by some traditional-leaning Catholics is a scandal that discourages neighbors, and puts a very ugly face on the Body for others to view. If Your Hand/Hands are Impeded . Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from youSt. Fire and Spirit, contrary to nature A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist: It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. And some who do have lost their strength or nerve. In each of the Eucharistic Prayers, though the petition is worded in slightly different ways, God is asked to send his Holy Spirit to make us one body, one spirit in Christ; the General Instruction admonishes the faithful that "they are to form one body, whether in hearing the Word of God, or in taking part in the prayers and in the singing" (no. 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. 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. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. 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. 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. 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. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. 4. The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. 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. 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. It is a matter of particular seriousness that in places where the new practice is lawfully permitted every one of the faithful has the option of receiving communion on the tongue and even when other persons are receiving communion in the hand. 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. Or is there more context that is missing? 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? 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. awr. Liturgical Press | School of Theology Seminary | Saint John's Abbey | Comments Policy | Contact Us However, he should not refuse to administer Communion to those faithful desirous of availing themselves of a legitimate authorization. The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed, in the hand, the choice lying with the communicant. 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. Your email address will not be published. In the context of the reception of Communion, this means a cognizance of both Church history and contemporary cultural nuances. 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. 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. From this brief historical survey, however, we know that this need not be the case, and we can look to the Fathers for a pious example as we seek to foster reverence towards the Eucharist in the liturgy today. Reverence can be good if it opens us to God & neighbor and makes us more loving. The following norms must therefore be respected. For Catholics: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 Mingle and flow into the palms of his disciples![22]. [11] Council of Constantinople in Trullo, canon 101. I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. By this symbolic action, their denial would be clear to all. God has come to live in us. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). 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. ), Pray Tell: An open forum on faith in South Texas. 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. 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. Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) TOP Scotland, 7 July 1977 It should be noted that it is never permissible for a person to dip the host he or she has received into the chalice. Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. 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. When receiving in the hand, the communicant should be guided by the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem . Jeffrey T. Wickes FotC 130 (Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2015). Please remember that there is no "right" way to receive.

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