Communion in the Hand?

[nsper7]

No disrespect is intended and I certainly do not intend to insult or offend anyone, especially among the very Traditional, but why is the Communion in the Hand issue so big? Having been an Anglican/Episcopalian for a little while before becoming Catholic (or being in the process of becoming Catholic), maybe my views are clouded in Communion in the Hand is the norm in most Anglican parishes (or at least the ones I have been in).

I understand the need for respect obviously, but how is Communion in the Hand disrespectful? In terms of avoiding dropping the Blessed Sacrament, it would seem Communion in the Hand is the better way.

I know Mother Theresa and others have commented strongly on it, but it seems that today, it is a valid way to receive the Blessed Sacrament, regardless of how the custom may have started. To me, it seems like the issue of Communion in the Hand versus on the Tongue is just a way to promote unnecessary (and apparently vicious) division.

 

[Shin]

Well, there is a lot people will say but I can point out four things:

First it was a general part of the destruction of piety that occured in the past few decades, and so people see it in bad company and implemented illicitly at first and so clear evidence of it for bad motivations and misunderstood Church teachings.

Communion in the hand we can regard as something exceptional, i.e. to only be implemented for exceptional reasons and not as a good standard itself, and in this time exceptions have been made into standards to destroy standards – this is bad practice, very bad.

Second, all things being equal, receiving on the tongue is superior for a number of reasons and we are in need of superior reverence and legislation that way.

Third, it conflicts with Western tradition of reverence regarding the Eucharist and the priesthood, it conflicts with ‘the sacred’. The more you understand the concept of ‘the sacred’ and reservation from the profane and emphasis of the sacred the more you have troubles with Communion in the Hand as a -standard-.

Fourth, of course there is the problem of theft, dropping of particles, etc. this is a very very real problem, extremely real and the potential for hideous sacrilege regarding this should make one tremble to hold the Lord in one’s hand.

Now, all this being out there but even setting aside in thought only for a moment, if I as a Christian brother ask you as my friend to only receive on the tongue, because many people will be very happy (and no good reason not to), why not oblige?

So I ask please my Christian brothers and sisters, as a favor to your other brothers and sisters, to receive on the tongue and make a commitment only to do so.

[edit]

P.S. I will add that in terms of dropping, holding in the hand is -clearly- more dangerous so I don’t understand your statement at all. Also, we do not find Protestant practices generally as good sources of examples for us to follow.

 

[nsper7]

Well, there is a lot people will say but I can point out four things:

First it was a general part of the destruction of piety that occured in the past few decades, and so people see it in bad company and implemented illicitly at first and so clear evidence of it for bad motivations and misunderstood Church teachings.

Communion in the hand we can regard as something exceptional, i.e. to only be implemented for exceptional reasons and not as a good standard itself, and in this time exceptions have been made into standards to destroy standards – this is bad practice, very bad.

Second, all things being equal, receiving on the tongue is superior for a number of reasons and we are in need of superior reverence and legislation that way.

Third, it conflicts with Western tradition of reverence regarding the Eucharist and the priesthood, it conflicts with ‘the sacred’. The more you understand the concept of ‘the sacred’ and reservation from the profane and emphsis of the sacred the more you have troubles with Communion in the Hand as a -standard-.

Fourth, of course there is the problem of theft, dropping of particles, etc. this is a very very real problem, extremely real and the potential for hideous sacrilege regarding this should make one tremble to hold the Lord in one’s hand.

Now, all this being out there but even setting aside in thought only for a moment, if I as a Christian brother ask you as my friend to only receive on the tongue, because many people will be very happy (and no good reason not to), why not oblige?

So I ask please my Christian brothers and sisters, as a favor to your other brothers and sisters, to receive on the tongue and make a commitment only to do so.

Personally, one of my reservations with receiving Communion on the Tongue would be that I and/or the Priest might drop it or I might gag or something (and thus, the Blessed Sacrament ends up on the floor or something…bad). I understand the connections and questionable implementation of Communion in the Hand, but I do think it is better to avoid dropping it or gagging.

Still, I am interested in hearing everyone’s opinion and I am not personally opposed to it (on the Tongue I mean) or anything, nor do I want to purposely offend Christian brothers and sisters.

 

[Shin]

Personally, one of my reservations with receiving Communion on the Tongue would be that I and/or the Priest might drop it or I might gag or something (and thus, the Blessed Sacrament ends up on the floor or something…bad). I understand the connections and questionable implementation of Communion in the Hand, but I do think it is better to avoid dropping it or gagging.

Still, I am interested in hearing everyone’s opinion and I am not personally opposed to it (on the Tongue I mean) or anything, nor do I want to purposely offend Christian brothers and sisters.

I can hardly imagine that happening. I myself find it uneasy at times to open my mouth a bit and let someone place something in it, it is an unfamiliar thing to someone like me who did not grow up as a church-going Catholic.

But people in love feed each other all the time, parents feed babies… And here shepherds feed their sheep…

In practice there is no such problem of it being easier to drop when received on the tongue. To be detailed – the Host will stay on your tongue the minute it is placed there. You need worry not in the slightest. In the East, the spoon works just fine too.

In truth I sometimes would prefer to receive in the hand from a point of human preference – not from logic, just the ‘preference’ that I feed myself – but, but, but, I would be a fool to let a human preference affect the way I approach God. I regard it as a flaw.

I will never receive in the hand – I was asked not to and I have made my commitment and do not consider such feelings as of any weight, rather I consider it part of my conversion to set them aside and a good small thing to offer up.

And in practice I rarely ever notice it because receiving Communion involves far more important thoughts than such. One does not focus on such petty details instead one puts such thoughts aside suggested by our human flaws and distracting flies, and concentrates on the Lord and receiving Him in the soul.

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

I have no particular problem with Communion in the hand, or on the tongue kneeling. What sometimes troubles me is the absence of choice.

When parishes ripped out their altar rails, they took away that choice. At the rail, I could stand or kneel, take Communion in my hand or on my tongue. With nothing close to railings in many churches, and only lieu-ups single file, no choice remains.

That, I submit, should change.

Blessings,

Gerry

 

[RainDown]

Fourth, of course there is the problem of theft, dropping of particles, etc. this is a very very real problem, extremely real and the potential for hideous sacrilege regarding this should make one tremble to hold the Lord in one’s hand.

I always thought that this debate was pointless, but I never thought of this reason. Every time I hear of someone stealing the Eucharist for the sole reason of desecration, I just sigh. I don’t get angry—the Lord will repay.

 

[passus]

I never receive Communion in the hand and I very earnestly wish that the law would be change to permit reception only on the tongue.

In addition to obviously demanding more respect, it deters individuals from absconding with the host without consuming it as well as, I think, preventing the risk of dropping(I found it surprising that someone above said that it makes the chance of dropping more likely). The less movement from ciborium to hand and from hand to mouth means means less chance for the host to go from ciborium to floor or hand to floor.

God bless.

 

[Stromboli]

No disrespect is intended and I certainly do not intend to insult or offend anyone, especially among the very Traditional, but why is the Communion in the Hand issue so big? Having been an Anglican/Episcopalian for a little while before becoming Catholic (or being in the process of becoming Catholic), maybe my views are clouded in Communion in the Hand is the norm in most Anglican parishes (or at least the ones I have been in).

I understand the need for respect obviously, but how is Communion in the Hand disrespectful? In terms of avoiding dropping the Blessed Sacrament, it would seem Communion in the Hand is the better way.

I know Mother Theresa and others have commented strongly on it, but it seems that today, it is a valid way to receive the Blessed Sacrament, regardless of how the custom may have started. To me, it seems like the issue of Communion in the Hand versus on the Tongue is just a way to promote unnecessary (and apparently vicious) division.

First that “quote” from Mother Theresa that many like to comment on was something she never said. It’s been widely misquoted.

You’re right – all the arguments for receiving only on the tongue are pretty ridiculous. My mouth is no more worthy than my hands to receive the Blessed Sacrament. I could steal a host just as easily if I received on the tongue or in my hands. And yes, it does appear that dropped hosts are most common with those who receive on the tongue. Particles? In maybe 1 of 50 times receiving there is a particle left in the palm of my hand. I simply lick my palm. Disaster solved. In the end I think some don’t stop and think about the situation – they just react.

You comment about “division” is extremely important. Some seem intent on causing problems where there are no problems and that is tragic. Call it the ravages of Original Sin…

All that said, if the Holy See limited Holy Communion to either only on the tongue or only in hand I would immediately comply. I think there are plenty who would DEMAND to receive one way or the other – they would ignore the Holy See.

 

[elts1956]

No disrespect is intended and I certainly do not intend to insult or offend anyone, especially among the very Traditional, but why is the Communion in the Hand issue so big? Having been an Anglican/Episcopalian for a little while before becoming Catholic (or being in the process of becoming Catholic), maybe my views are clouded in Communion in the Hand is the norm in most Anglican parishes (or at least the ones I have been in).

I understand the need for respect obviously, but how is Communion in the Hand disrespectful? In terms of avoiding dropping the Blessed Sacrament, it would seem Communion in the Hand is the better way.

I know Mother Theresa and others have commented strongly on it, but it seems that today, it is a valid way to receive the Blessed Sacrament, regardless of how the custom may have started. To me, it seems like the issue of Communion in the Hand versus on the Tongue is just a way to promote unnecessary (and apparently vicious) division.

If I am not mistaken, I think it has to do with the fact the hands of the priest are Blessed while ours are not. So receiving in the hand means taking the host from the Blessed hands of the priest into ours which are not.

 

[Stromboli]

If I am not mistaken, I think it has to do with the fact the hands of the priest are Blessed while ours are not. So receiving in the hand means taking the host from the Blessed hands of the priest into ours which are not.

Is your mouth somehow different than your hands?

 

[Stromboli]

Well, there is a lot people will say but I can point out four things:

First it was a general part of the destruction of piety that occured in the past few decades, and so people see it in bad company and implemented illicitly at first and so clear evidence of it for bad motivations and misunderstood Church teachings.

Communion in the hand we can regard as something exceptional, i.e. to only be implemented for exceptional reasons and not as a good standard itself, and in this time exceptions have been made into standards to destroy standards – this is bad practice, very bad.

Second, all things being equal, receiving on the tongue is superior for a number of reasons and we are in need of superior reverence and legislation that way.

Third, it conflicts with Western tradition of reverence regarding the Eucharist and the priesthood, it conflicts with ‘the sacred’. The more you understand the concept of ‘the sacred’ and reservation from the profane and emphasis of the sacred the more you have troubles with Communion in the Hand as a -standard-.

Fourth, of course there is the problem of theft, dropping of particles, etc. this is a very very real problem, extremely real and the potential for hideous sacrilege regarding this should make one tremble to hold the Lord in one’s hand.

Now, all this being out there but even setting aside in thought only for a moment, if I as a Christian brother ask you as my friend to only receive on the tongue, because many people will be very happy (and no good reason not to), why not oblige?

So I ask please my Christian brothers and sisters, as a favor to your other brothers and sisters, to receive on the tongue and make a commitment only to do so.

[edit]

P.S. I will add that in terms of dropping, holding in the hand is -clearly- more dangerous so I don’t understand your statement at all. Also, we do not find Protestant practices generally as good sources of examples for us to follow.

You list your personal beliefs (nothing wrong with that) as if they are foot-noted facts (not cool.)

 

[BrendanD]

First that “quote” from Mother Theresa that many like to comment on was something she never said. It’s been widely misquoted.

According to…?

 

[nsper7]

Is your mouth somehow different than your hands?

Good point.

As I said, I am not real strong either way. From the Anglican/Episcopalian tradition, I am used to receiving in the hand, although from so-called ‘cradle Episcopalians’, I have heard stories of some Episcopal parishes that prefer/require reception on the tongue, although that is from way back when (you know, back before the gay Bishop scandal and one had to be both Baptized and Confirmed in the Episcopal Church to receive Communion there).

My greatest concern in this case is avoiding dropping the Blessed Sacrament. In terms of people stealing/desecrating it, well, that is for God to deal with and people will figure out ways to pervert and mistreat God’s blessings (i.e. the Blessed Sacrament).

 

[palmas85]

Personally, one of my reservations with receiving Communion on the Tongue would be that I and/or the Priest might drop it or I might gag or something (and thus, the Blessed Sacrament ends up on the floor or something…bad). I understand the connections and questionable implementation of Communion in the Hand, but I do think it is better to avoid dropping it or gagging.

Still, I am interested in hearing everyone’s opinion and I am not personally opposed to it (on the Tongue I mean) or anything, nor do I want to purposely offend Christian brothers and sisters.

I served at the Altar for many years for many a Priest and an occasional Bishop or two and only saw one Host dropped, and that from an elderly priest with an 8th grade communicant who thought it would be funny to close his mouth just as Father tried to place the Host on his tongue. Fortunately I was there with my trusty paten and saved the day:thumbsup:

I have never ever seen anyone even come close to gagging and really don’t think anyone ever would to tell the truth. The Priests hands don’t actually go inside your mouth you know.

Those who prefer receiving on the tongue see it as a more reverent way. So does the Holy Father as did Pope John Paul II before him. Maybe they are right and maybe not. But at least they have a reason that makes sense. Those who receive in the hand do not from what I have seen usually try to justify the practice in several ways.

1. they approach the Eucharist as an adult Christian, whatever that means. These people sometimes throw up the argument that Jesus certainly would not have placed the Host in the mouths of the Apostles, which completely ignores the fact that in small familial and communal Passover Meals that is exactly what would have happened with the first small portion of each of the prescribed foods. The presider of the meal typically would place a small morsel in the mouths of those attending in imitation of God feeding the Israelites in Old Testament times. It expressed their complete devotion to and total dependence upon God. for their sustenance A concept that we have somehow lost in these enlightened times.
2. it was done that way in the early Church. These people love to bring up old St Cyril of Jerusalem as the acknowledged expert. These people ignore the fact that in the early Church what was received was actually a substantial sized loaf that the communicants themselves had brought from home. A small portion would be consumed at Mass and the rest taken home for consumption during the week. A good and reasonable reason for receiving in the hand that no longer exists. The practice was stopped incidentally because people came to lose reverence for the Host and for the Mass, and abuses started to creep in and grew larger and larger. Kind of like today.
3. they are capable of feeding themselves While that is obviously true it also smacks of pride, which is in and of itself a sin. Why would someone object to the Priest, acting in persona Christe placing the Host in your mouth? Honestly? Would you object to Christ placing the Host in your mouth? Well in the Mass, the Priest acts in persona Christe. So the answer is pretty obvious actually.

Many people today no longer see the Priest in that way. To them, he is really nothing special, just an exalted member of the community who gets to preside at the meal. They don’t see him in persona Christe in the Mass. Not at all. So since we are all equal, we should treat each other as equals and kneeling in front of an equal is not right.

Which is what I really think it is all about. It is a deliberate attempt to blur the lines between the clergy and the laity. Place us all on the same page and level so to speak.

Hey if you can come up with a good reason to receive in the hand I’ll listen. I’ve just never heard one that even came close to making any sense at all.

And for good measure, the Orthodox by and large don’t receive in the hand either although I have heard that one or two of their Churches do receive in the hand. I don’t know that to be true however…

 

[Frosty]

I have never ever seen anyone even come close to gagging and really don’t think anyone ever would to tell the truth. The Priests hands don’t actually go inside your mouth you know.

Those who prefer receiving on the tongue see it as a more reverent way. So does the Holy Father as did Pope John Paul II before him. Maybe they are right and maybe not. …

Actually I have seen many people gag when receiving Communion on the tongue. Not recently but many years ago. I myself used to gag so violently that I threw the Host up three times when I was young. It wasn’t from the priest’s hand going inside my mouth either! For years, I was terrified of even receiving Communion because I feared that the same thing would happen.

To say that Pope Benedict sees receiving on the tongue as more reverent isn’t quite true. Granted, since the Feast of Corpus Christi in 2008, all those who receive from him have done so kneeling and on the tongue, that was not the case for the first three years of his pontificate. Why it is so now is a topic of much speculation. When asked in 2000 by Peter Seewald, “Communion in the hand or directly in the mouth”, Cardinal Ratzinger replied:

I wouldn’t want to be fussy about that. It was done in the early Church. A reverent manner of receiving Communion in the hand is in itself a perfectly reasonable way to receive Communion

.

• God and the World* p.410

 

[elts1956]

Is your mouth somehow different than your hands?

I knew someone would ask that. The only answer I have and you will note my previous answer was not a definitive one, is that from the Priest’s hands to my mouth is the shortest route to consume the Body of Christ.

 

[Like]

I knew someone would ask that. The only answer I have and you will note my previous answer was not a definitive one, is that from the Priest’s hands to my mouth is the shortest route to consume the Body of Christ.

[SIGN]AMEN![/SIGN]

 

[palmas85]

Actually I have seen many people gag when receiving Communion on the tongue. Not recently but many years ago. I myself used to gag so violently that I threw the Host up three times when I was young. It wasn’t from the priest’s hand going inside my mouth either! For years, I was terrified of even receiving Communion because I feared that the same thing would happen.

To say that Pope Benedict sees receiving on the tongue as more reverent isn’t quite true. Granted, since the Feast of Corpus Christi in 2008, all those who receive from him have done so kneeling and on the tongue, that was not the case for the first three years of his pontificate. Why it is so now is a topic of much speculation. When asked in 2000 by Peter Seewald, “Communion in the hand or directly in the mouth”, Cardinal Ratzinger replied:
.

• God and the World* p.410

If he did not consider it a more reverent way and perhaps a better way or maybe a way to foster a deeper sense of reverence then why institute the practice in the first place.? It really doesn’t make a lot of sense if he sees them both as being the same thing. In 2000, perhaps he did see them as being equal. Apparently he has changed his mind. I can’t thing of another reason for it.

No, I think that the Holy Father has seen what receiving in the hand has done to the attitude of many of those who do so and he is taking steps, small incremental steps to change that. Hey if you can come up with another reason why he instituted the practice let me know. I’ll listen:thumbsup:

I’m sorry that you violently gagged. You must be extremely sensitive because I never saw anyone do anything react like that or even come close to such a reaction, and I served for probably several hundred thousand people. So I feel pretty confident in my observation.

 

[kermitz06]

Is your mouth somehow different than your hands?

Maybe… consider why you would never extend your left hand in an Arabic country.

 

[SourGrape]

I’ll just share a personal story. After once receiving Holy Communion (at a NO Mass) in his hand, my husband noticed there were little crumbs left on his palms and, thus, he had to lick them off. Since then, he makes a point to receive our Lord on his tongue.