Pope Benedict prefers communion on the tongue?

[slyboots]

Already answered on another thread

 

[benedictgal]

This is what Pope Benedict XVI has noted, through his Master of Ceremonies, Msgr. Guido Marini:

As for communion placed by the pope on the tongues of the faithful, kneeling – during his recent visit to Santa Maria di Leuca and Brindisi – Marini affirms that this will become “a regular practice at papal celebrations.” And he continues:

«In this regard, it must not be forgotten that the distribution of communion in the hand remains, from the juridical point of view, a dispensation from the universal law, conceded by the Holy See to the bishops’ conferences that have asked for it. The practice adopted by Benedict XVI tends to emphasize the continued validity of the norm for the whole Church. In addition, one might also note a preference for the use of this manner of distribution which, without taking anything away from the other, better highlights the truth of the real presence in the Eucharist, aids the devotion of the faithful, and makes it easier to enter into the sense of mystery. In our time, pastorally speaking, it is urgent to recover and emphasize these aspects.»

This quote comes from the online magazine, Chiesa, which featured an article about this same subject. Here is the link to the entire story:

chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/205488?eng=y

The quote from the new Prefect for the CDWDS, which the OP noted, is also consistent with this line of thinking. In fact, the revival of this practice began last year with the Mass marking the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. At every Papal Mass since, the norm has been that those who are receiving Holy Communion from the Holy Father must do so on the tongue while they kneel.

 

[DevotedCatholic]

I wonder if this will be instituted in all the Catholic Churches? I see it on EWTN when they air masses, but most of the churches put in your hand.

 

[diggerdomer]

I wonder if this will be instituted in all the Catholic Churches? I see it on EWTN when they air masses, but most of the churches put in your hand.

Maybe, maybe not. We don’t know. Benedict XVI is of course free to celebrate Mass however he wants to in accordance with Church Law. His personal preferences are important yet of course not binding on the Church.

Follow Church law. No need to worry about whether such and such will be instituted.

 

[DevotedCatholic]

Thanks for that tidbit, something that does not hurt to think about

 

[Lmora]

Recieving Communion on the tongue is and always will, be the right way.I look at it this way, by recieving Communion in the hand, aren’t we putting God in our hands? We should be in God’s hands. The reason the Priest’s keep on handing the wafers to the people is because people hold their hands out. When I go up to recieve Communion, I open my mouth and the Priest places the wafer on my tongue. I also do not recieve from a lay person, (which is what they are doing in the Churches now and I think it is wrong) I go up to the Priest to recieve. Many Priest’s have fallen to the ways of satan and do just about anything that is modern, today. One thing we must remember is that God never changes His ways.

Lmora

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Recieving Communion on the tongue is and always will, be the right way.

This is strictly your opinion, and certainly not backed by Liturgical norms.

from The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass

The new edition of the General Instruction asks the Conference of Bishops in each country to determine the posture to be used for the reception of Communion and the act of reverence to be made by each person as he or she receives Communion. The Conference of Bishops of the United States has determined that in this country Communion will be received standing and that a bow will be the act of reverence made by those receiving. These norms may require some adjustment on the part of those who have been used to other practices, however the significance of unity in posture and gesture as a symbol of our unity as members of the one body of Christ should be the governing factor in our own actions.

Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing.

Lux

 

[surritter]

I also do not receive from a lay person, (which is what they are doing in the Churches now and I think it is wrong) I go up to the Priest to receive.

Lmora

To receive Holy Communion from someone who is not a priest is not wrong! You are confusing the ability to confect the Eucharist (priest only) with the ability to distribute it. To say that we should only receive from a priest actually downplays the Real Presence because it falsely ties the substance of the host with the person holding it.

That being said, there are way too many cases of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion being overused at parishes…

 

[LilyM]

Lmora, we no more are ‘holding God in our hands’ in an improper fashion than the priest is when HE holds the Eucharist to give it to us - and if you think that’s what HE’s doing then you need to brush up on your sacramental theology.

For me I feel more like the woman who touched the hem of His robe and was cured - the externals of the Eucharistic species are the ‘robe’ (if you like) through which we come into contact with His presence.

And if my understanding is correct deacons have always also been able to distribute communion. If that is the case there is no reason to restrict yourself to the priest only.

 

[Diaconia]

The most ancient records of the Mass indicate that the deacons distributed Holy Communion to the people, as well as took the Eucharist to those who were not there.

The bishop (or priest’s) main function is to offer the holy sacrifice, not to distribute the Eucharist.

Those interested in additional details should read St. Justin Martyr.

Priests hands are not consecrated to distribute Holy Communion, they are consecrated to offer the holy sacrifice. Misplaced piety and scrupulosity confuses these elements regularly.

God bless,

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I wonder if this will be instituted in all the Catholic Churches? I see it on EWTN when they air masses, but most of the churches put in your hand.

They only do that if you approach with your hands out to receive. You can always receive on your tongue (unless the bishop has forbidden it as some have for heath reasons). Simply approach with your hands down, say “amen” and open your mouth. Best to do this when you are in the priest’s line for communion.

In my parish, all the children are prepared in CCD to receive on the tongue and all EMHCs, when used, are trained to give communion on the tongue. Because of this, the majority of people receive on the tongue.

 

[Lepanto]

Communion on the tongue is the universal norm, and the lay faithful may never be denied this method of reception.

Communion in the hand, by contrast, is an option currently allowed in certain parts of the word via indult. Indults can always be rescinded.