Communion in the Hand during COVID pandemic

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vin_dedvukaj

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I made a topic before about this. But through much pray and discernment I have decided to receive our Lord in the hand during this COVID pandemic. It really hurts my heart that I have to do it, but it seems like that right move in time. Has anybody else made the switch due to the same reasons would
Love to hear what other people have to say.
 
Switched long ago. Jesus said “take this and eat”.
To me that means use your hands!
 
vin_dedvukaj said:
It really hurts my heart that I have to do it
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Perhaps God is giving you the opportunity to know that Eucharistic grace is something greater than a method of receiving. To understand these things can be very freeing to our spirits. Then when you return to communion on the tongue, your heart will be doubly filled with joy. :pray:t2:
 
I swapped over at the beginning of the pandemic. It felt like a lesson in obedience and humility. It also helped me confront my scruples and feelings of unworthiness.

Now I just have to deal with the people who do not follow the guidance of our parish and bishop. Houston is still sort of a hotspot. The very first communicant at Mass a few weeks ago disregarded all the directions and recieved on the tongue. I pretty much pregnantly hormonally wept all the way home wondering if it is even safe for me to attend Mass and recieve Him if that’s going to happen. I could see if she positioned herself to recieve last, but first! And we all recieved after her!

Now my family sits near the front on the deacon side which seems not to be her preference, and I watch the people who go ahead of me, resolving to only recieve spiritually if I see something that doesn’t feel safe.
 
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LisaB said:
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DisorientingSneeze:
Now I just have to deal with the people who do not follow the guidance of our parish and bishop.
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I’m curious- does this mean they recommend, but don’t require, to receive in the hand? What’s the guidance?
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Paraphrase of what our deacons have been announcing before Mass: We ask that you keep your mask on, recieve Our Lord in your hands, step to the side, lift or remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, then replace it and return to your seat.

The instructions do not mention recieving on the tongue, just what they ask us to do. After I’ve seen this happen again and again with the woman who sits up front, I really wish they would address recieving on the tongue and allow those people who insist to recieve last. I have heard other parishes do that, but for some reason not mine.
 
Because a Priest may not refuse a communicant the Eucharist. While most Diocese directives do ask that all receive in the hand but we are not forced to do so.
 
Which is why they should be last to recieve, but making no provisions for it results in what I keep seeing.
 
It’s recommended not required. If you saw my other post I mention how I got some looks and comments by clergy when I did receive on tongue. One time the priest dropped our Lord on the floor when I came up I guess he panicked when he saw me stick my tongue out
 
We have many in our parish who receive on the tongue including myself. Maybe you should sit in front to receive first so any anxiety you have would be relieved.
 
DisorientingSneeze said:
After I’ve seen this happen again and again with the woman who sits up front, I really wish they would address recieving on the tongue and allow those people who insist to recieve last.
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I wish that also, very much. Right after my parish reopened, before Communion the priest asked for all people receiving on the tongue to be last in line. That request ended. In the last couple of months I’ve received only once. If someone ahead of me receives on the tongue, I bow to the Eucharistic Lord, turn, and go back to the pew. It has made me feel less connected to my parish.
 
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I considered that, but my family doesn’t fit in the first few pews (they start short and lengthen a bit each row) I even considered that maybe my anxiety shouldn’t be other people’s problem and maybe I’m supposed to stay home but I was so tired of weeping through TV mass and missing Jesus.

It’s so hard to have spent months trying to stay home and follow all the suggestions and then other people don’t. Other people won’t change their behavior so this can get better. It’s just this awful timeless wasteland. I’m mentally and emotionally maxed out from being home with all the kids since the spring break that never ended and now we’ve got this one on the way that doesn’t help me regulate my emotions much. 😥
 
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Perhaps you can talk to the pastor about your concerns, and they can address this issue, maybe create a separate line or have them go last, etc.

Keep in mind that those who receive on the tongue have the right to do so, and since there haven’t been instructions about the logistics, they aren’t doing anything wrong. It’s not like they must follow the recommendations provided.

Finally, there are many people who receive on the tongue all the time, even now. In our parish only tongue is allowed, and so far there hasn’t been any outbreaks, even though every single person receives on the tongue, many multiple times a week. You getting covid from one or two people who received on the tongue before you are really quite slim. Don’t worry.
 
vin_dedvukaj said:
I got some looks and comments by clergy when I did receive on tongue.
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That’s just sad. I don’t know what else to say. I guess it’s good they at least know they can’t refuse communion on the tongue to people.
 
In our diocese we currently have no choice…it is CitH or Spiritual Communion only for now. With no anticipated end to the pandemic and out of obedience to the Bishop I have begun receiving in the hand but, once the choice is restored, I will revert to on the tongue as I had always received since my reception into the church in 2017.
 
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