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. [15] See the council of Auxerre, canon 36 (it directs women not to receive on their bare hands, but with their hand covered by a cloth). 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. St. 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. 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. 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 . [23], The great and divine Apostle Paul with loud voice calls man created in the image of God, the body and temple of Christ. This would be done especially if it is very difficult or impossible to fulfill the necessary conditions as outlined in the documents above. 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. Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. There are many devout Catholics who find this practice helpful. Phillip Schaff and Henry Wace in NPNF Second Series, 14 (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1900). Australia, 26 September 1975 [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans. The author claims that Communion in the hand could only be authorized in countries where it was an established practice but doesnt give a citation. Some scholars claim that this part of the Mystical Catechesis is not originally from St. Cyril but a later interpolation into the text. June 29, 2021 | 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. The restorers of the rite probably had the beautiful simplicity and symbolism of the medieval rite in mind but did not take the changed circumstances sufficiently into account. The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. [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. awr. 843 1; cf. 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. 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.. 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 Netherlands, 18 September 1969 A situation that, in the US certainly, was not necessarily governed by external uniformity (given the varieties of ethnic piety and cultural practices). As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable. Dear Patrick, Since Christ is really, substantially, sacramentally present but not physically, being OC over crumbs is not devotion. Per The Baltimore Catechism: In 1980 St. John Paul II wrote in the apostolic letterDominicae Cenae: In some countries, the practice of receiving Communion in the hand has been introduced. A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist: If one is left-handed this is reversed. awr. 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.". 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. Communion in the hand is no more hygienic than Communion in the mouth. Biting, tearing, casting aspersions on the faith of other Catholics: this is a damnable situation in the Church. Ireland, 4 September 1976 For the first few centuries of the Church, receiving Communion in the hand was a common practice. 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. A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all. The debate was interrupted by lunch. 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 to demonstrate reverence and. 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. When receiving in the hand, the communicant should be guided by the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem . 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. Papua and New Guinea, 28 April 1976 [10] See John Damascene, On the Orthodox Faith, 4.13. But back in the West, where most of us at PT are from, the Church is struggling. The divine coal is a common image of the Eucharist in Syrian theology. II], Chad, 18 September 1969 The practice of communion on the tongue with the use of patens in the West, and in both kinds on a spoon with a drop cloth in the East, moreover, are natural developments from the concern of the Early Church to prevent Eucharistic mishaps. What if our way of calling our fellow Christians to a higher way were based on loving example and not polemics? Over the years I have read a multitude of opinions for and against, and occasionally perceived false arguments. It is reported that a bishop shouted out, On the tongue or in the hand?. France, 6 June 1969 October 13, 2022. http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php?title=Handkommunion. It is simply reading too much into this practice, and it is not correct to support something one favors by denigrating another practice. 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. 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. Click herefor a handout that can be placed in your bulletin for your parishioner. 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. Djibouti, 6 March 1970 Nowhere in this article did I see what the CHURCH says about Holy Communion, only the writers opinion. For example, although Communion in the hand is generally permitted at the Vatican, in recent years ministers administrating Communion at large at papal Masses have been enjoined to distribute Communion only on the tongue. When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. [6] In Syria (what we now call Turkey and surrounding regions) it is witnessed by Basil the Great,[7] John Chrysostom,[8] Theodore of Mopsuestia,[9] John Damascene[10] and the Council of Constantinople in Trullo (also called the Quinisext council). The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . 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 . 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. [17] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 7.9.4. Whether to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue are liturgical disciplines, not dogmas. To unite us to Himself and to nourish our soul with His 161. 21. 6. North Africa,October 15 1969 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. Why did Christ institute the Holy Eucharist? 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. Bolivia, October 15 1969 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. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? 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. Hence, my theory is that the wide granting of the indult exceeded its initially intended scope as continued prompting from advisors and larger-than-anticipated requests from conferences overcame the popes reluctance. vehementer hortatur retention of current practice while invoking the common good of the Church. The history of the liturgy, however, makes clear that rather early on a . Thanks for this, Dennis. 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]. To commemorate the death of Christ: "This do in remembrance of me." 2. [16] Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, 4.24. 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. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. Luxembourg, October 15 1969 [23] John Chrysostom, hom. Aaron, 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. 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. 86). 3. Hard to believe that Catechesis has never been better if that fundamental is misunderstood. 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). Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. 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. I dont read any statement with canonical force saying that only those countries may apply for an indult. Indonesia, 27 March 1971 No wonder so many people there have given up on Christianity. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. 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. Japan, 27 June 1970 For this is what it is to receive unworthily: if one receives at that time when he ought to be doing penance. 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. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. 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. To be honest, I dont really belong to either camp on this, and like you, I think the polarization on this issue is doing more harm than good. 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. 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. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF. Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand? United States, 17 June 1977 . The Eucharist may not be received while a person has mortal sin in their soul. 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. 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 . It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. But to us our Lord has given both . Rather maddeningly, it is the Anglicans who in the West have retained the practice as described by St. Cyril, while contemporary Latin-rite Catholics tend to consume the Host as if it were a potato chip., 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. Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion. 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? 5. St. It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. in Eph 3, trans. At Christ's invitation, extended by the priest acting in Christ's person: "Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb," the members of the community move forward to share in the sacred meal, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ which is the sign and the source of their unity. I happen to accept the role of darkness within the Church, but it strikes me as being perpetrated all too often by those who style themselves the most faithful or loyal to God. A perception such as this is a dreadfully inaccurate and impoverished understanding of what is a significant religious action. 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 must be presumed that a priest has sufficient formation in moral principles so as to exclude an erroneous conscience in such matters. 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. 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. The new manner of giving communion must not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional practice. Wherefore, if any one wishes to be a participator of the immaculate Body in the time of the Synaxis, and to offer himself for the communion, let him draw near, arranging his hands in the form of a cross, and so let him receive the communion of grace. The wind has left our sails and many of us are adrift on uncertain seas. The Eucharist fulfills this call: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. Pray Tell here documents two statements of the Congregation for Divine Worship issued under Pope Paul VI. However, he should not refuse to administer Communion to those faithful desirous of availing themselves of a legitimate authorization.
