Communion in the hand - Ireland/Europe.

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livingwordunity said:
If there’s been a mass abandonment of altar rails in Ireland/Europe like in America having no altar rail makes it very awkward to receive holy Communion on the tongue. I go to two different parishes, one with an altar rail and one without. When I’m at the one without an altar rail I receive holy Communion in the hand. But when I’m at the parish that has an altar rail I receive holy Communion on the tongue.
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I rather laughed at “mass abandonment” 😉

I do the same…I would prefer to receive Communion on the tongue (possible in my regular parish), but if I’m away from home then generally I think you have to be flexible and fit in with what’s practical in that building, given both are completely licit.
 
civilwar said:
As far as I am aware it is not actually permitted, in Europe, for the laity to be receiving the Eucharist in the hand at Mass. Is this correct and if so could someone provide me with a Church document stating this?

I live in Ireland and it is the norm for people to receive in the hand, which grieves me, if it is against Church teaching.
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The G.I.R.M. is the Church’s universal regulations for worship. Since you asked for a document, you can find the latest instruction for communion here dated 2011.

160. When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant.
 
civilwar said:
I don’t mean is it something that regularly happens; I know it is.
But I want to know has it actually been approved as a normal means for receiving communion in Europe? Does the Church have a teaching on this?
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From the IGMR,
  1. Si Communio sub specie tantum panis fit, sacerdos hostiam parum elevatam
    unicuique ostendit dicens: Corpus Christi. Communicandus respondet:
    Amen, et Sacramentum recipit, ore vel, ubi concessum sit, manu, pro libitu
    suo. Communicandus statim ac sacram hostiam recipit, eam ex integro consumit.
    Si vero Communio fit sub utraque specie, servetur ritus suo loco descriptus
    (cf. nn. 284-287).
Bolded translated; “and receives the Sacrament in the mouth or, where the concession has been made, in the hand…” IOW, it’s allowed in those countries where the indult is granted.

BTW, the IGMR does not apply to the EF. The formula itself is different.
 
civilwar said:
…
I live in Ireland and it is the norm for people to receive in the hand, which grieves me, if it is against Church teaching.

Thanks.
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It is a source of grief that you grieve over this, when so may truly tragic things in our world cry out for grief. Please, be at peace over the Church’s practical disciplines.
 
OP,
Please note, however, that the approval for Ireland to receive in the hand was posted by Vico earlier, and states that the approval was granted in 1976 - so you do not have any worry whatsoever. I think it is unusual for you to question this, since you mentioned that it is normal for people to receive in the hand. Do you honestly believe your priest would allow this, if it was forbidden?

Peace be with you.
 
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