(or: Which Heresy Will You Give Up for Lent? Unless there is a sense of discipleship rooted in baptism. Look how military inspectors demand very high standards of care when inspecting barracks for cleanliness. 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. Eccl., VII, ix). 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 Was changing the mode reception of Communion one of them? With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. awr. 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? If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. But we doyes, verily. 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. St. There are many devout Catholics who find this practice helpful. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord ( John 6:58 ). 3. Uruguay,October 15 1969 So whats missing? Greg., Dial., I, III, c. iii). Im skeptical of the claim that collecting absentee ballots for bishops conference votes is unlawful. 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. We have no nets to cast deeply. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. 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. Most often when speaking of reverence, however, the Fathers emphasize two main things: 1) that every precaution should be taken lest the Eucharist fall to the ground and 2) that communicants should be from serious sin and quarrels with other Christians. Scandinavia,October 15 1969 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. 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. Alternatively, it is permissible to adopt a simpler procedure, namely, allowing the faithful themselves to take the host from the ciborium or paten. 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. [4] Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John 6.1 and 12.1. The communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. When receiving in the hand, the communicant should be guided by the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem . This is precisely why there are occasions when pastoral prudence can lead to suspend the permission. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? The legitimacy of Communion in the hand is not in question. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. W.R., Goa, India. The faithful should consume the host before returning to their place; the ministers part will be brought out by use of the usual formulary, The body of Christ, to which the communicant replies: Amen. Whether to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue are liturgical disciplines, not dogmas. 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. I think proponents of tongue/kneeling will get a better hearing if they uphold all aspects of Communion. As seen above, the U.S. bishops were not among the first to permit Communion in the hand. Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. 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). Today, both manners of receiving Communion are worthy and licit. All the rites which use leavened bread are reverent but not obsessive. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. The debate was interrupted by lunch. Many of us would treat your claims skeptically as unsupported rumor and gossip. 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. 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. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. 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. awr. Communion in the hand is no more hygienic than Communion in the mouth. Surveys from CARA and Pew reflect this, though I admittedly doubted them until I attended mass with a fellow Catholic at church that predominantly received on the tongue and my friend jeering remarked, why dont they receive in the hand like normal people? In the light of the above, we can come to the heart of the matter as to whether a priest may invoke the question of conscience in order to refuse to distribute Communion in the hand. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. 4. 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 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. But whatever the case, it is the Pope who decides to authorize it for countries, and it is indisputable that he did so. 6. St. 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. The Holy Eucharist remits venial sins by disposing us to perform acts of love and contrition. The congregation returned to this issue in the instructionImmensae Caritatis,January 29, 1973: AAS 65 (1973) 264-271; Notitiae 9 (1973) 157-164: Part 4. New Zealand, 24 April 1974 The following norms must, therefore, be respected. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. The rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. 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. Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. 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. What a Priest Might Do If He Wants to Avoid It. So it is not just tiresome traditionalists who worry about particles. But to us our Lord has given both . Paul W. Harkins ACW 31 (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1963). First, Chrysostom in one of his Homilies on Ephesians: What, do you not see the holy vessels so thoroughly cleansed all over, so resplendent? Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. [12] Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on Faith 10 and Hymns on Virginity 33.7. 13.3, trans. 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. It is simply reading too much into this practice, and it is not correct to support something one favors by denigrating another practice. 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. 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. The following norms must therefore be respected. United States, 17 June 1977 Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 However, cases of a deplorable lack of respect towards the Eucharistic species have been reported, cases which are imputable not only to the individuals guilty of such behavior but also to the pastors of the church who have not been vigilant enough regarding the attitude of the faithful towards the Eucharist. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive. Yet even here, the experts sometimes forgot the unrepeatable reality of original circumstances so that restoration is never quite the same. [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. 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. North Africa,October 15 1969 Q. However, it was a brief exchange with ones immediate neighbors and at a time when men and women occupied separate aisles in the church. 5. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. 7. A Journal of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, by Elizabeth Klein 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). A: The answer to this question is somewhat complex. It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. No wonder so many people there have given up on Christianity. 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. 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. We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. 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. It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. Paraguay, 27 September 1971 The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. Pope Paul Vl approved this Instruction, confirmed it with his authority, and ordered its publication, setting the day of publication as its effective date. 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). 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. 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. Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand? The way you put it, it doesnt sound obsessive-compulsive but salutary. [20] Cyril of Jerusalem, myst. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. This means that Jesus has no eyes but our eyes, no feet . The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to . That rhetorical flow and its further implicit objections (i.e., take care lest XYZ) *could* be a setup for a generous grant of indults, but given the overall negative tone I dont think it accidental or inconsequential that the prospect of permission is only mentioned in these cases where contrary practice already prevails. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. And of course Pope Paul VI was adamant that all the reforms carried out under him were faithful to the Second Vatican Council. 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. Back issue of Notitiae are accessible via the new website of the Congregation for Divine Worship at: http://www.cultodivino.va/content/cultodivino/it/rivista-notitiae/indici-annate.html. It is always helpful to review instructions for receiving Communion. St. . [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. It is reported that a bishop shouted out, On the tongue or in the hand?. . 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. Still, while not the direction eventually taken, I believe restriction to be the more natural reading of the Vaticans intent at that moment in time. Our worship ought to create common unity under Christ, not destroy it. A quick example will be found . 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.