The wind has left our sails and many of us are adrift on uncertain seas. [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. Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA. Was changing the mode reception of Communion one of them? It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. Biting, tearing, casting aspersions on the faith of other Catholics: this is a damnable situation in the Church. There is so much to Communion. 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. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable.. In comparing the indult list provided in this post with the brief history of Fr. The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. Catechesis has been virtually non-existent or flat-out heretical for the last 50 years. Q. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. Fire and Spirit, contrary to nature
It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. They partake not of Him that is in them, they perceive Him not. Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. 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. To increase sanctifying grace and all virtues in our soul. Just look at what making donating money an indulgence-eligible corporal work of mercy resulted in during the Renaissance. 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. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 3). For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord ( John 6:58 ). 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 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. Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 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. It must also increase their faith in the sublime reality of the Lords body and blood, which they touch with their hand. 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.. 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? Timothy O'Malley, Copyright 2023 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: 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 []. Devotion and reverence toward the Eucharist in the case of communion in the hand. As to the way to carry out the new rite: one possible model is the traditional usage, which expresses the ministerial functions, by having the priest or deacon place the host in the hand of the communicant . With regard to the first precept, Origen of Alexandria cautions, You who are accustomed to take part in divine mysteries know, when you receive the body of the Lord, how you protect it with all caution and veneration lest any small part fall from it, lest anything of the consecrated gift be lost. Scandinavia,October 15 1969 COVID-19 Additional Questions for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 Finance FAQ for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 Personnel FAQ for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 Remote Learning FAQ for Catholic Schools, COVID-19 International Students FAQ for Catholic Schools, Forming a New Prayer and Intercessory Team at Your Parish, Resources for Existing Intercessory Prayer Teams, Mooney Real Estate Holding Company and Parish Incorporations, Stewards for Tomorrow/Archdiocese of Detroit Endowment Foundation. Eccl., VII, ix). 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. It is now August 2020 and I can say that you have been proven wrong. Bishop Athanasius Schneider argued along the same lines at the end of February. [8] John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Baptismal Instruction 12.1516, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God 6.36, and On the Priesthood 3.4. June 29, 2021 |
Some may choose to receive the Lord on the tongue while others choose to receive in the hand. However, while this text is undoubtedly ancient evidence of the existence of Communion in the hand, it is, like many patristic texts, fraught with interpretative conundrums. All the rites which use leavened bread are reverent but not obsessive. Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion. What's at Stake in the Debates Swirling Around Eucharistic Coherence. The rite of communion in the hand must not be put into practice indiscriminately. Leo P. McCauley FotC 64 (Catholic University of America Press: Washington, DC, 2000 [1970]). 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. However, this is likely to lead to many embarrassing instances for the faithful who approach communion unaware of the situation. I guess my point is that regardless of our internal reverence (or lack thereof), the way we verbally and literally communicate our faith to others, especially our children, is still very important. Catholics use birth control, get divorced and fornicate at the same rate as society in general, with the sin of using birth control rarely confessed. Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. But there is more to the story. Communion in the hand is legitimate only where permitted, and it remains in the realm of a permission. We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment on another thread that this ongoing discussion is frivolous and is only causing needless division. A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all. The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. Under the moral aspect will be considered, in reference to Holy Communion: necessity; subject; dispositions. After receiving Communion our bodies become holy chalices. Sacrilege is at an all-time high, yet use of the Sacrament of Confession is at an all-time low. So Indian Bishop conference have not got any Indult for communion in hand? Ive updated the post. United States, 17 June 1977 I dont read any statement with canonical force saying that only those countries may apply for an indult. Required fields are marked *. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. [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). 895. This formula should not be altered, as it is a proclamation which calls for a response of faith on the part of the one who receives. 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. 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. 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]. 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. Nor did the Vatican interpret it that way, near as I can tell. Australia, 26 September 1975 Personally, I think that when a priest with the care of souls holds the view that Communion on the tongue is preferable to the alternative practice, then the best thing he can do is inform the faithful of the bishops permission. I have celebrated Mass in places where there is no Communion in the hand and yet have observed some people approach the Eucharist in a slovenly and distracted manner with nary a trace of reverence in sight. I dont think reception in the hand is destroying the Church like what some prominent leaders in the Church have implied, but this practice has still had wide ranging [and not entirely positive] ramifications in the Church over the last half century, far beyond the obvious choice of the individual communicant. 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. 2. 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. 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. Maybe this is due to decades of poor or heterodox catechesis on the Sacraments. Our bishops have argued that Communion in the hand is the proper way for the faithful to respond to our Lord's invitation: "All of you, take and eat this." What the bishops overlook is the fact . As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of 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.