7 rules for receiving communion in the hand

First, Cyril: Coming up to receive, therefore, do not approach with your wrists extended or your fingers splayed, but making your left hand a throne for the right (for it is about to receive a King) and cupping your palm, so receive the Body of Christ; and answer: "Amen." [20] Here is what Theodore says: Yet even here, the experts sometimes forgot the unrepeatable reality of original circumstances so that restoration is never quite the same. Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans. 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. Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum university. 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. 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.. [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. 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. 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. God has come to live in us. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. All the rites which use leavened bread are reverent but not obsessive. 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. 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. A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all. On this point, I will leave you with a beautiful exhortation from the Golden Tongue: Think of what you receive in your hand and never lift it to strike another and never disgrace with the sin of assault the hand that has been honored with so great a gift. A situation that, in the US certainly, was not necessarily governed by external uniformity (given the varieties of ethnic piety and cultural practices). Whether to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue are liturgical disciplines, not dogmas. 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. SACRED CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP, Letter En reponse a la demande, to presidents of those conferences of bishops petitioning the indult for communion in the hand, 29 May 1969: Acta Apostolicae Sedis 61 (1969) 546-547; Notitiae 5 (1969) 351-353. France, 6 June 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. 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. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. ), Pray Tell: An open forum on faith in South Texas. Bishops allowing introduction of the new way of receiving communion are requested to send to this Congregation after six months a report on the result of its concession.. Chad, 18 September 1969 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. IMHO no, contrary to what some real traddies may say. 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. 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. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. 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. [18] See Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.43.18. Since the question involves human attitudes, this mode of communion is bound up with the perceptiveness and preparation of the one receiving. For some, however, the singing of this hymn is perceived as an intrusion on their own prayer, their private thanksgiving after Communion. For example, Augustine writes, Someone might say that the Eucharist should not be received daily. 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. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. But back in the West, where most of us at PT are from, the Church is struggling. There is so much to Communion. His blood now flows through our veins. Has done With regard to the second, we have many early witnesses including Paul (see 1 Cor 11:27) and the Didache (seechapter 14). 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. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. So the authors claim that he is exactly Vatican II is doubtful. 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.. 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. Japan, 27 June 1970 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. They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. 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. Basil the Great considered Communion in the hand so irregular that he did not hesitate to consider it a grave fault. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. How should this evidence be brought to bear on the modern conversation? Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands. 1. The same Instruction contained a reminder that the laws of the Church and the writings of the Fathers give ample witness of a supreme reverence and utmost caution toward the Eucharist and that this must continue. The way we communicate the Gospel message is almost as important as the Gospel itself. Interestingly, during the Middle Ages, the reception of Holy Communion was restricted to "on the tongue" because of abuses. We should rejoice in that. I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive. Today, both manners of receiving Communion are worthy and licit. 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. 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. Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable.. I did an internet search about the history of communion in the hand in the U.S. and the only thing I found was an article by the NLM. Does anyone have an explanation for why France, Germany, and the Low Countries were not quickly regularized once the opportunity was available? Over and over again the prayers of the liturgy and the norms of the General Instruction emphasize this fundamental concept of the unity of the baptized, stressing that when we come together to participate in the Eucharistic celebration we come, not as individuals, but as united members of Christ's Body. Your fire, O, Our Lord we have eaten in your offering 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. 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. Since practices vary from one church to another, we hope these guidelines help you feel more at home. 3. Upper Volta and Niger, 20 February 1970 The author seems to think that liturgical reforms should consist of only what an ecumenical council prescribed. 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. 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. Another will say the opposite; he says, On the contrary, if the wound of sin and the attack of the disease is in fact so great that such medicines need to be postponed, one ought to be removed from the altar by the authority of the bishop in order to do penance, and one ought to be reconciled by the same authority. This means that Jesus has no eyes but our eyes, no feet . Scandinavia,October 15 1969 The following norms must, therefore, be respected. On the one hand, I think this evidence precludes describing communion in the hand as intrinsically irreverent. Follow-up: Objecting to Communion in the Hand (10-16-2018), Pursuant to my reflections on Communion in the hand (October 2), a reader from France claimed that It is totally justified to claim that Communion in the hand is necessarily less reverent or inevitably leads to abuses. But whatever the case, it is the Pope who decides to authorize it for countries, and it is indisputable that he did so. The elements were placed in the hands (not in the mouth) of each communicant by the clergy who were present, or, according to Justin, by the deacons alone, amid singing of psalms by the congregation (Psalm 34), with the words: The body of Christ; The blood of Christ, the cup of life; to each of which the recipient responded Amen. (eminent Church historian Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church: Ante-Nicene Christianity: A.D. 100-325 [Vol. St. Henry Percival and ed. 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. It is also difficult to ensure that the person who receives Communion effectively consumes the host. South Africa, 1971 6. To lessen our evil inclinations. Holt Orders cannot sustain the Church, no matter how much traditionalists preach priests are of the utmost importance. 2. 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. 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 We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. [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. As I read above article, I didnt found name of my country India in the list of countries which have Indult for communion in hand. For real reception of the Blessed Eucharist it is required that the sacred species be received into the stomach. These practices have wide evidence of use and in some ways never died out completely. But we doyes, verily. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from youSt. 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. Per The Baltimore Catechism: 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. 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. First, Cyril: Coming up to receive, therefore, do not approach with your wrists extended or your fingers splayed, but making your left hand a throne for the right (for it is about to receive a King) and cupping your palm, so receive the Body of Christ; and answer: Amen.[20], To receive the Sacrament which is given, a person stretches out his right hand, and under it he places the left hand. The same Instruction contained a reminder that the laws of the Church and the writings of the Fathers give ample witness of a supreme reverence and utmost caution toward the Eucharist and that this must continue. Communion received on the tongue and while kneeling. 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.