More people have received Communion in the past century. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 4). Pope Paul Vl approved this Instruction, confirmed it with his authority, and ordered its publication, setting the day of publication as its effective date. If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. Paraguay, 27 September 1971 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. 13.3, trans. 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. [23] John Chrysostom, hom. Other way round, it was in the hand and changed to the tongue circa 900 in the west. What a Priest Might Do If He Wants to Avoid It. It must be presumed that a priest has sufficient formation in moral principles so as to exclude an erroneous conscience in such matters. awr. 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. Canada, 12 February 1970 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. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another. Do we have faith in the efficacy of the sacraments or not? However, when they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that the faithful make appropriate reverence, according to the norms established, before receiving the Sacrament. 3. However, it was a brief exchange with ones immediate neighbors and at a time when men and women occupied separate aisles in the church. Pray Tell here documents two statements of the Congregation for Divine Worship issued under Pope Paul VI. This article has been selected from the ZENIT Daily Dispatch Innovative Media, Inc. ZENIT International News Agency Via della Stazione di Ottavia, 95 00165 Rome, Italywww.zenit.org, To subscribe http://www.zenit.org/english/subscribe.html or email: english-request@zenit.org with SUBSCRIBE in the "subject" field, Provided Courtesy of: Eternal Word Television Network 5817 Old Leeds Road Irondale, AL 35210www.ewtn.com, HOME - EWTNews - FAITH - TELEVISION - RADIO - LIBRARY - MULTIMEDIAWHAT'S NEW - GENERAL - RELIGIOUS CATALOGUE - PILGRIMAGES - ESPAOL, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. My simple point is that the individual ways our Church evolves over history have a significant impact on its life thereafter, often in ways we dont expect. Their attitude of reverence must measure up to what they are doing. 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 . Whether to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue are liturgical disciplines, not dogmas. The debate was interrupted by lunch. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 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). To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. Think of what you receive in your hand and keep it clean of all greed and theft. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. July 2, 2020 ( LifeSiteNews) Many bishops around the world are attempting to compel Catholics, who are in the right dispositions to approach the Holy Eucharist, to receive Our Lord in the. 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. St. The condition is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist. A. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist: 5.21, trans. 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. During the debate by the conference in the 1970s, a bishop said that he had seen a recent photo of Paul VI giving Communion in the hand to a little boy. Aaron, this describes what the countries are to do where Communion in the hand was being practiced. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. [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. 6. The list obviously is not complete, for this article says that Germany and France both received permission from the Holy See on the same day in 1969: The cultural backing. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. 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. Your email address will not be published. Jamaica, 12 March 1970 It should be noted that it is never permissible for a person to dip the host he or she has received into the chalice. 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. 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. Who holds the wind in the palm of his hand? Pakistan, 29 October 1976 Biting, tearing, casting aspersions on the faith of other Catholics: this is a damnable situation in the Church. In this way, the practice of Communion in the hand is different from other liturgical elements restored after centuries of disuse, such as the prayer of the faithful and the exchange of peace. 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. The rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. [24] Trans. Leo P. McCauley FotC 64 (Catholic University of America Press: Washington, DC, 2000 [1970]). Since Christ is really, substantially, sacramentally present but not physically, being OC over crumbs is not devotion. 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.. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. It is reported that a bishop shouted out, On the tongue or in the hand?. 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. As seen above, the U.S. bishops were not among the first to permit Communion in the hand. This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. 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. This is precisely why there are occasions when pastoral prudence can lead to suspend the permission. And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. are on the side of Lucifer. 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.". 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. On the part of both the minister and the recipient, whenever the host is placed in the hand of a communicant there must be careful concern and caution, especially about particles that might fall from the hosts. 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. [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. 160). 2. Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum university. What if we were passionate about all that? [11] Council of Constantinople in Trullo, canon 101. Uruguay,October 15 1969 When permitted, the choice as to the form of reception falls upon the communicant and not upon the priest. This reply aged like Milk (currently January 2022). 284-287 is to be followed.. Cyril of Jerusalem [c. 313-386], Catechetical Lectures, 23:21-22) Several more but no room here. I think the Holy Spirit was nudging people closer to the problem, which was already in evidence decades before the Council. Permission for administering Communion in the hand was granted by the Holy See to the following countries and regions under Pope Paul VI:[UPDATED 3-2-18], Belgium, 31 May 1969 A situation that, in the US certainly, was not necessarily governed by external uniformity (given the varieties of ethnic piety and cultural practices). To lessen our evil inclinations. Fire came down and consumed the sacrifices of Elijah Scotland, 7 July 1977 [10] See John Damascene, On the Orthodox Faith, 4.13. The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . 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. Confess it and move on. 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. After stipulating the historical practice of Communion in the hand, Memoriale Domini: defends the development of discipline that led to Communion on the tongue [26] Augustine, Letter 54.3.4, trans.
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