Pope Paul Vl calls attention to the purpose of the InstructionMemoriale Dominiof 29 May 1969, on retaining the traditional practice in use. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 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). Copyright PrayTellBlog.com I would like to remind people to indicate clearly how they wish to receive. 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. 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. Yugoslavia, 1971 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. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer 'Amen'. A Journal of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, by Elizabeth Klein PDF Instructions on Receiving Holy Communion with Proper Reverence 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. St. 2. The rationale for Communion on the hands being an ancient practice is from St. Cyril of Jerusalem. [2] 2 Accept Communion in a state of grace. 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. Particularly in regard to this way of receiving communion, experience suggests certain matters requiring careful attention. This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. 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). It is standard procedure so I wonder what the basis of this accusation is. Our souls ought to be purer than they, more holy, more brilliant. Cdl. McElroy doubles down on heresy, pushes Communion for 'sexually If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. II], Yet even here, the experts sometimes forgot the unrepeatable reality of original circumstances so that restoration is never quite the same. 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: 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. I mean WHAT SPECIFIC REASONS were given for requesting it in the first place? [6] Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.13. 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. Pope Paul Vl approved this Instruction, confirmed it with his authority, and ordered its publication, setting the day of publication as its effective date. 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. http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/truth-about-communion-in-hand-while.html#.Wpa2wdIUnGg. For this alone is the eating referred to by our Lord ( John 6:58 ). They probably never foresaw its subsequent, and occasionally chaotic, development in some parts of the Church. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Thanks for this, Dennis. It is not clear as to how widespread it was or if it was a regular practice. The Council of Saragossa (380): Excommunicated anyone who dared continue . 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. 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. The legitimacy of Communion in the hand is not in question. When we receive Communion, we become members of Christ's Body, the Church. 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]. Church Life Journal Dear Patrick, The symptoms are myriadI certainly would assent to much of what you cite. 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). Never receive Holy Communion in the hand when your hands are impeded; e.g., carrying a cane or some other walking-assistance device, carrying a child in your arms, carrying a purse, have a tissue or handkerchief in your hand, have a cast on your hand, etc. Then he saw that it was futile. In this ordinance Christ ratifies his promises to his people, and they on their part solemnly consecrate themselves to him and to his entire service. All of us should receive with great reverence and respect. "You're talking to someone who has only owned a smartphone for a yearI resisted," he said. In order to be properly disposed to . I am just wondering what the reason or reasons were for allowing reception of Communion in the hand to begin with? Do we accept an experience of the Real Presence only when the externals and the lingo of 1950 are seen and heard? 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. Papua and New Guinea, 28 April 1976 How to Receive the Eucharist | Catholic Answers Library : Holy Communion in the Hand? | Catholic Culture Paul VI had a measure of it in 1974, and we hav emostly missed the wisdom of Evangelii Nuntiandi. 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. 843 1; cf. So Indian Bishop conference have not got any Indult for communion in hand? I suspect that Christ can cope with particles that get dropped but the care we show, or the lack of care, is what counts. Pandemic will affect Communion rituals for U.S. Christians A quick example will be found . Leo P. McCauley FotC 64 (Catholic University of America Press: Washington, DC, 2000 [1970]). The way you put it, it doesnt sound obsessive-compulsive but salutary. 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. Canada, 12 February 1970 Indeed, it can be dangerous for contagion. As with all historical practices, one must examine the context and circumstances which are usually not repeatable.. 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. 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 []. Several readers pointed out that I made no mention of a text of St. Cyril when mentioning the historical foundations of the practice. 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. Whether to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue are liturgical disciplines, not dogmas. And why so? From these documents, we can deduce the following points. 1396: In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. 4. 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. We are the Body of Christ, moving forward to receive the Christ who makes us one with himself and with one another. 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. Others claim that in the context of the discourse St. Cyril was referring to the clergy and not to the faithful. Japan, 27 June 1970 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. 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. England and Wales, 6 March 1976 The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to . 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.