Holy Communion

[Bakitha]

Hi
I have already experienced a couple of times, that discussions about whether hand- or moth-communion is better or right.

My statement what I gave to others was the following: Jesus is present in both forms and we should receive Him therefore as worthily as possible in both forms. mouth-communion has never been abolished (please note, that in German-speaking countries practicing hand-communion is usual) but also, that hand-communion is accepted by the Church. Therefore, I mentioned, it is necessary to pay respect to both ways of communion.
Someone though mentioned, that hand-communion is (in a way) forbidden and that there was never such a law to allow it.
Whom shall I listen to?
Although I would appreciate more mouth-communion, it is just a fact, that hand-communion is being practised and it is not easy for a single person to behave different. Churches also don’t seem arranged so well for mouth-communion. Didn’t there used to be special benches for kneeling, which would make it easier for the priest to give the kneeling people the communion?

Yours sincerely,
Bernice

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Someone though mentioned, that hand-communion is (in a way) forbidden and that there was never such a law to allow it.
Whom shall I listen to?

The current pope.

As seen during his visit to NY he not only allows it he will give communion on the tongue for those with that preference and in the hand for those who prefer that HIMSELF (rather than allowing it everywhere except masses he offers).

 

[thistle]

Hi
I have already experienced a couple of times, that discussions about whether hand- or moth-communion is better or right.

My statement what I gave to others was the following: Jesus is present in both forms and we should receive Him therefore as worthily as possible in both forms. mouth-communion has never been abolished (please note, that in German-speaking countries practicing hand-communion is usual) but also, that hand-communion is accepted by the Church. Therefore, I mentioned, it is necessary to pay respect to both ways of communion.
Someone though mentioned, that hand-communion is (in a way) forbidden and that there was never such a law to allow it.
Whom shall I listen to?
Although I would appreciate more mouth-communion, it is just a fact, that hand-communion is being practised and it is not easy for a single person to behave different. Churches also don’t seem arranged so well for mouth-communion. Didn’t there used to be special benches for kneeling, which would make it easier for the priest to give the kneeling people the communion?

Yours sincerely,
Bernice

BOTH are allowed.
The Church states that you may receive Communion on the tongue or in the hand and that choice is yours and not the priest’s.
I choose to receive on the tongue but my daughter receives in the hand.

 

[Bakitha]

Thank you for your answers. I would have thought so too. I just got a bit irritated, because that person mentioned, that it was forbidden (handcom.). But whilst saying so, he was referring to Marian apparitions of San Damiano. And I have just found out, that these “apparitions” have *not *been approved by the Church - which makes things clearer for me.

 

[IrishAm]

Thank you for your answers. I would have thought so too. I just got a bit irritated, because that person mentioned, that it was forbidden (handcom.). But whilst saying so, he was referring to Marian apparitions of San Damiano. And I have just found out, that these “apparitions” have *not *been approved by the Church - which makes things clearer for me.

Even if the apparitions were approved, private revelations would not be binding on anyone except those to whom they were directly given.

 

[Andruschak]

Didn’t there used to be special benches for kneeling, which would make it easier for the priest to give the kneeling people the communion?

Yours sincerely,
Bernice

Yes, the communion rail. In my area, only SS. Peter & Paul still uses the communion rail, and most people receive on the tongue. All other churches in my area give communion with participents standing in line. And most receive in hand.

I receive on the tongue from habit…that is the way we did it in the Lutheran Church when I was a teenager.