7 rules for receiving communion in the handnicole alexander bio
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. 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. Not only was Communion in the hand started in disobedience, it was perpetuated by deceit. 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. They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. 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.. Q. In defending his push to give Communion to grave sinners, McElroy reiterated his belief that conscience has the "privileged place" over doctrine in decision-making and suggested that it can . The Netherlands, 18 September 1969 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. When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. Later that year approval was given to Luxembourg, Scandinavia (Scandia), North Africa, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Monaco (see Notitiae v. 7 (1970), no. 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. 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. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? The large numbers of faithful and the general hustle and bustle at the moment of communion make it quite easy for a host to fall to the ground. But we doyes, verily. Pope Paul Vl approved this Instruction, confirmed it with his authority, and ordered its publication, setting the day of publication as its effective date. 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. My three hypotheses were less well researched opinions on my part, theyre not (that last one was a joke on Cdl Sarahs comments, sorry if that wasnt clear), but simply launchpoints in an honest discussion on the impact of Pope Pauls Indult, and the circumstances surrounding it, whether or not they hold any real merit. 6. [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. 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. The two ways of receiving communion can without question take place during the same liturgical service. I think that settles it. I am just wondering what the reason or reasons were for allowing reception of Communion in the hand to begin with? Since Christ is really, substantially, sacramentally present but not physically, being OC over crumbs is not devotion. The [Seraph] did not hold it, and [Isaiah] did not eat it 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). Scotland, 7 July 1977 I mean WHAT SPECIFIC REASONS were given for requesting it in the first place? We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. . If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the Priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. Required fields are marked *. Nor did the Vatican interpret it that way, near as I can tell. 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. in Eph 3, trans. I used the wordnecessarilyas an equivalent to in and of itself. There is no inherent reason why Communion in the hand is less reverent. Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. The liturgical assembly of the baptized that comes together for the celebration of the Eucharist is a witness to, a manifestation of, the pilgrim Church. So they reintroduced the practice of Communion in the hand (it had been originally introduced as a widespread practice by the Arian heretics of the Fourth Century to deny that Jesus is God). In the context of the reception of Communion, this means a cognizance of both Church history and contemporary cultural nuances. It is simply reading too much into this practice, and it is not correct to support something one favors by denigrating another practice. A passage from St. Cyril of Jerusalem is used to persuade Catholics that Communion in the hand is an ancient practice legitimately restored after Vatican II. St. 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. Malaysia and Singapore, 3 October 1977, * * * * *. By this symbolic action, their denial would be clear to all. Has done 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 left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to . 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. Whatever procedure is adopted, care must be taken not to allow particles of the eucharistic bread to fall or be scattered. Sacrilege is at an all-time high, yet use of the Sacrament of Confession is at an all-time low. Your email address will not be published. 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. Interestingly, during the Middle Ages, the reception of Holy Communion was restricted to "on the tongue" because of abuses. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. Madagascar 2 March 1970 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. Zambia, 11 March 1974 October 13, 2022. 284-287 is to be followed.. Hard to believe that Catechesis has never been better if that fundamental is misunderstood. Has the Holy Eucharist any other effect? 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. 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. Papua and New Guinea, 28 April 1976 Ireland, 4 September 1976 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. James Shapiro, a literature prof at Columbia, says the situation is catastrophic: One reason was the way of the world. 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. At the same time he has taken into account the reasons given to support your request and the outcome of the vote taken on this matter. The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of Communion. The life of Christ, the Holy Spirit, animates each of us individually, and all of us corporately and guides us together in our efforts to become one in Christ. divine life. 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 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. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. If one is receiving in the hand the following is normative: upon approaching the minister of the Host extend the hands in the middle of the chest. Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. To lessen our evil inclinations. Aaron, 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. If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. [13] In the far-flung regions of the empireGaul (modern-day France and Spain) we have the witness of Caesarius of Arles[14] and the council of Auxerre,[15] and in England, we have the Venerable Bede. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. From the point of view of liturgical law, the relevant documents are the following. Ever since the InstructionMemoriale Dominithree years ago, some of the conferences of bishops have been requesting the Apostolic See for the faculty to allow ministers distributing communion to place the eucharistic bread in the hand of the faithful. From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. 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. 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. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. 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. 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. O Solomon, the thing which the Lord of your father (or: Which Heresy Will You Give Up for Lent? 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. For one who eats unworthily eats and drinks to his own condemnation (1 Cor 11:29). However, it was a brief exchange with ones immediate neighbors and at a time when men and women occupied separate aisles in the church. There is so much to Communion. But as time passed it became the practice to receive Communion directly on the tongue in order to assure that the Host was received reverently. Ive updated the post. 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. Im not aware of that limitation and would like to see proper documentation. 6. [27] John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instruction, 12.15-16, trans. Father, as to the limitation on what regions might request this indult, Memoriale Domini stipulated that Where a contrary usage, that of placing holy communion on the hand, prevails, the Holy See [] lays on those conferences the task of weighing carefully whatever special circumstances may exist there []. The option offered to the faithful of receiving the Eucharistic bread in their hand and putting it into their own mouth must not turn out to be the occasion for regarding it as ordinary bread or as just another religious article. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (Jn 17:21). 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. St. I honestly get sick of it too. 6, trans. Obviously, for better or worse, the NLM has an agenda. 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. Some scholars claim that this part of the Mystical Catechesis is not originally from St. Cyril but a later interpolation into the text. [5] In Jerusalem, we have the mystagogical catecheses of Cyril of Jerusalem (or perhaps of his successor, John). A parish priest, or the rector of a sanctuary, might have objective reasons for not applying the permission if there is any danger of profanation or lack of respect. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans. 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. Communion in the hand is no more hygienic than Communion in the mouth. Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), 2 October 1971 Yugoslavia, 1971 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.
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