Coronavirus Mass Changes - Communion in Hand?

[pnewton]

The Bishops have the authority over the implementation of the liturgy. The one thing that bothers is me is that St. John Paul spoke on this and said communicants that want to receive on the tongue were to be permitted. However, that was then. There is no indication as to whether a serious risk to life might not be considered. At this point, the bishops have the right to make this adjustment, just as the Pope has the right to demand people still receive on tongue. I would hope if that happens, those who are insistent on this will be the ones to step up and serve as EMHC for this purpose. I have no respect for those that demand others take risks they are not willing to take themselves. It is completely contrary to the Golden Rule.

 

[peter26]

These changes are very concerning and are likely to negatively affect the spiritual life of a lot of people. Many people are likely to feel isolated and uncomfortable. There is no evidence that recieving on the tongue is more likely to spread disease and banning it is a reaction based more on instinct than science. I am very glad this is not happening in England at least at present, it would cause me real issues.

 

[Katsuobushi]

As far as I know, almost everyone received Eucharist on hand in several churches that I went to in last 10 years in Japan. But I am one of a few ones who like to receive on tongue and so have been practicing it. Corona Virus is making an exception to this practice now because it is spreading in Japan and making everyone worried. I don’t want anyone’s finger in my mouth, but sadly that often happens when I ask the priest to place It on my tongue. So, if he is infected, I will also be infected. From two weeks ago, I am receiving Eucharist on hand. (From the last week public Mass is canceled and remotely viewed, so I did Spiritual Eucharist.)

Some to many priests in Japan, I am guessing, are not so used to placing Eucharist on the tongue. I always receive on hand when this particular old priest is saying Mass. He probably cannot see the near distance. He once dropped Host on the floor after he awkwardly tried to put It on my tongue. So whenever his turn came to say Mass, I use my hand. This is another exception that I have made.

After reading a great deal of discussion on Western Internet about Eucharist on hand, I became scared. One day I went up to my priest and asked him about those Particles on my hand. He said Pope approved the practice by hand so I should not worry about it. They no longer are food and told me not to shove my head in such discussion. So, I am more at ease now about receiving on hand. You know, like 98% of people I see here in Church in Japan receive on hand. Even sisters are doing this way. I try not to think it is causing a grave sin. But after receiving Eucharist on hand, I make sure no Particles are left there after putting It in my mouth.

 

[paperwight]

. I am very glad this is not happening in England at least at present, it would cause me real issues.

In my Archdiocese here in the UK. official guidance came over the weekend. No Sign of Peace, no chalices for the people and ‘the faithful are to be encouraged to consider receiving on the hand’.

 

[peter26]

Which Archdiocese if you don’t mind saying? The Catholic Conference of Bishops of England and Wales guidance says nothing about this and I checked only this morning.

 

[paperwight]

Which Archdiocese if you don’t mind saying? The Catholic Conference of Bishops of England and Wales guidance says nothing about this and I checked only this morning.

Liverpool. It’s strange you haven’t found anything because some days ago I was on the cbew site and there was a note from the person responsible for ‘community health policy’ or some such title and he said that we should be encouraging CITH every year in flu season.

I’ll check it myself.

 

[paperwight]

peter26:

Which Archdiocese if you don’t mind saying? The Catholic Conference of Bishops of England and Wales guidance says nothing about this and I checked only this morning.

Liverpool. It’s strange you haven’t found anything because some days ago I was on the cbew site and there was a note from the person responsible for ‘community health policy’ or some such title and he said that we should be encouraging CITH every year in flu season.

I’ll check it myself.

It’s actually quite easy to find on the cbcew site… It has the title ‘guidance to Catholics on coronavirus’ dated Feb. 27th and is a PDF.

 

[peter26]

This is the guidance I was reading earlier. Only people are ill and discouraged from recieving on the tongue - stage 1 (current status).

 

[TheLittleLady]

I’m with you. I humbly submit to my Bishop as he is making a just, prudential decision.

 

[Camehome4john6]

As a revert I’m kinda shocked with the lack of submission (not that I believe we always have to check our brains at the vestibule as it were but still…) to the hierarchy that are trying to do the best for the people in a difficult situation. I’m willing to go along with their suggestions of Communion in the hand because 1. it seems prudent, 2. it has been permissible for some time, and 3. the last time I thought I knew better than they I ended up Presbyterian for 20 years.

 

[peter26]

To anyone shocked at the aversion of some of us who always recieve on the tongue to recieving in the hand, imagine the shoe was on the other foot. Recieving on the hand has been banned, you must recieve on the tongue. How would you feel?

 

[steph03]

To anyone shocked at the aversion of some of us who always recieve on the tongue to recieving in the hand, imagine the shoe was on the other foot. Recieving on the hand has been banned, you must recieve on the tongue. How would you feel?

It Would not matter to me … It Would not be my first pick, but with all the graces and forgiveness available during the Eucharist, how I get it is so secondary. I feel the same way with the Orthodox who say we MUST use leavened bread. I will take either.

 

[peter26]

To some people it will not matter. For others, it represents an important part of your spiritual practice. For some of us, if affected by such decrees, this will really matter. That might not be easy for everyone to understand, but it will matter.

 

[Emeraldlady]

As a revert I’m kinda shocked with the lack of submission (not that I believe we always have to check our brains at the vestibule as it were but still…) to the hierarchy that are trying to do the best for the people in a difficult situation. I’m willing to go along with their suggestions of Communion in the hand because 1. it seems prudent, 2. it has been permissible for some time, and 3. the last time I thought I knew better than they I ended up Presbyterian for 20 years.

I don’t know if its just me but it seems that people fighting against these prudent, common sense temporary measures which are for the sake of the vulnerable among us, have checked their reason and common sense and even compassion, at the vestibule.

 

[Camehome4john6]

To anyone shocked at the aversion of some of us who always recieve on the tongue to recieving in the hand, imagine the shoe was on the other foot. Recieving on the hand has been banned, you must recieve on the tongue. How would you feel?

I’d probably feel that the hierarchy and Magesterium, who have a lot more training and knowledge in such areas, had a really good reason and I’d think twice about second guessing.

 

[puer.dei]

To anyone shocked at the aversion of some of us who always recieve on the tongue to recieving in the hand, imagine the shoe was on the other foot. Recieving on the hand has been banned, you must recieve on the tongue. How would you feel?

I wouldn’t see a problem. Receiving Jesus means far more to me than my personal preferences. Also, obedience to my bishop means more than my personal preferences. I am always astonished at those who say “well, then, I just won’t receive.” Don’t understand it at all.

 

[Thom18]

To anyone shocked at the aversion of some of us who always recieve on the tongue to recieving in the hand, imagine the shoe was on the other foot. Recieving on the hand has been banned, you must recieve on the tongue. How would you feel?

Easy. I submit to the authority of my bishop.

Of course, communion in the hand wouldn’t be banned for disease prevention, but for some other reason.

 

[otjm]

I feel the same way with the Orthodox who say we MUST use leavened bread. I will take either.

As a side note, at least some of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches have the same practice, and they are in union with the Pope.

 

[Peeps]

To some people it will not matter. For others, it represents an important part of your spiritual practice. For some of us, if affected by such decrees, this will really matter. That might not be easy for everyone to understand, but it will matter.

After spending the first 46 years of my life as an Evangelical Protestant before coming home to the Catholic Church, I can testify that congregational singing and hymns are “an important part of my spiritual practice” that I no longer experience in most Catholic parishes, including my own.

I miss the wonderful singing and hymns, and I’m glad that I play for several Protestant congregations, although many Protestant churches do more P and W than hymns.

I hope and pray that the Catholic Church in the U.S. will find a way to encourage hearty singing of good hymns, if not in Mass, than in other settings and times and occasions.

But…“my spiritual practice” isn’t as important as being a member of the Church that Jesus Himself started, and submitting to the apostles that are currently in charge by the will of God Himself.

 

[JohnLilburne]

I wonder if it too dangerous to receive Communion on the tongue at Mass whether it is too dangerous to be at the Mass.

Statistics at COVID Live Update: 188,084,379 Cases and 4,055,939 Deaths from the Coronavirus - Worldometer have China with new deaths zero, new cases 12. Italy has new cases 587, new deaths 28.

How did China achieve this? Entire country cancelling sporting events and closing theatres, extending school breaks that began in mid-January, many businesses closing shop, anyone who went outdoors had to wear a mask, using mobile phone apps Alipay and WeChat to track people’s movements and stop those with infections from travelling. (From what I read at https://www.sciencemag.org/news/202...coronavirus-they-may-not-work-other-countries ).

Singapore’s methods also seem effective. Deaths zero, new cases zero, no public Masses.