Pope Benedicts wishes for communicants

[triumphguy]

This is something I haven’t thought about. I receive Our Lord on the tongue but I can really see the beauty in this analogy. Thank you.

I agree that is a nice analogy.

Thanks.

I totally understand how people who receive communion reverently feel when they see lax or careless attitudes towards communion. These things drive me crazy too.

 

[AndyP2010]

I agree that is a nice analogy.

Oddly you can work the same analogy with tongue’s. I remember being an alter boy in the 70s while my old parish still had a communion rail and I used to hold the patent and I used to notice how the tongues of old men had lots of cracks in them and wondered if that came from drinking and how young kids tongues had very few. How people can pray with their mouths and confess sins as well as the creed. They can sin as well with their speech and in taking in unclean things. Reverence is in the heart and whose to say whether the person who come to communion slouching is a slob or just feels unworthy before his Lord.

 

[Christine85]

I suppose the important thing is the disposition of the person and not the ritual.
I don’t want to think highly of myself for receiving on the tongue but at this point in time it makes sense to me. But I’m glad now that I can see the validity in both ways

 

[triumphguy]

Oddly you can work the same analogy with tongue’s. I remember being an alter boy in the 70s while my old parish still had a communion rail and I used to hold the patent and I used to notice how the tongues of old men had lots of cracks in them and wondered if that came from drinking and how young kids tongues had very few. How people can pray with their mouths and confess sins as well as the creed. They can sin as well with their speech and in taking in unclean things. Reverence is in the heart and whose to say whether the person who come to communion slouching is a slob or just feels unworthy before his Lord.

It’s our mind and heart that matters when we receive communion.

 

[rben20]

Every traditional thread is somehow voted down by trolls. Reminds me of YouTube haters voting down religious videos

 

[Christine85]

Every traditional thread is somehow voted down by trolls. Reminds me of YouTube haters voting down religious videos

I was annoyed at first about this too but as we have stated the Pope does not mind either way as long as the person takes it worthily I suppose.
I think that some people , including myself, can be extreme / over zealous sometimes.
But I’m glad to know there is not disunity in regards to the 2 ways to take communion.

 

[Christine85]

Let’s just rejoice that we do have the Eucharist. Many people in the world have never even received it .

 

[EcceAgnusDei]

Yes, it is interesting how in the “Traditional Catholicism” forum there are self-appointed monitors who make sure they have something to say against traditional Catholic practices.

Sometimes it seems like they want every post on traditional Catholic spirituality to come with the fine-print disclaimers that accompany pharmaceutical ads

• PAX

 

[JReducation]

Hi thanks for reading, I have a feeling there would already be a thread somewhere about this but I couldn’t find it.
I have started receiving communion on the tongue when I heard and read that the Holy Father wishes to return to the custom of kneeling and receiving communion on the tongue.
Yes the Church allows in the hand also, but from what I have heard and read is he wants to return to the old way.
A Priest from a parish I attended last night in his homily pretty much spoke the homily about how receiving on the tongue is the "old way " and that people “don’t want to change”.
He pretty much said it’s wrong, though I was pleased that he added that however we receive Christ is good as long as we receive him.
I suppose the point is- does anyone care to join me in doing it as the Pope intends it to be done?
Does anyone have any idea why so many people aren’t accepting what the Pope had said.
I sincerely hope that this is not a sign of division in the Church between traditional customs and the newer version of the Mass… Because this is how it’s starting to seem.
What do you think ?

Who said that the Pope wants this to be a universal practice? Pope Benedict was asked this very question in Light of the World and he explained that it is not his intention to make this a universal practice in the Latin Church. It is his intent to show that the tradition is still honored in the Latin Church and that it is a legitimate way of receiving Holy Communion. The interviewer tried to get him to state his preference between COTT and CITH and Pope Benedict avoided the question completely and spoke about his intent and the importance of knowing that this option is still available and that it’s an honorable option. Just because it’s old, does not make it obsolete.

People want to put words into the Holy Father’s mouth. At times he has expressed an opinion about something and people run to us, “Brother, Father, Sister, the Pope wants us to do X.” When we read it is says, “The Pope said that he prefers X.” But it says nothing about others having to like it or do it. When popes want something done, they are very explicit about it. They issue a decree that says, “Everyone must do this.”

When popes say, “We prefer, we believe, we like” they are not commanding that others prefer, believe or like as they do. Trust me, Rome knows how to say when it wants something done. Rome can be very clear and very persuasive. This is not one of those cases.

Don’t let people tell you that the pope wants you to do something when he has said no such thing. This does not mean that you should not or may not agree with the pope. Of course you can. Anyone who tries to stop you is overstepping.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[triumphguy]

Did you notice that was your 666th post?

 

[triumphguy]

Every traditional thread is somehow voted down by trolls. Reminds me of YouTube haters voting down religious videos

Did you notice that was your 666th post?

To be fair to us “trolls” (maybe you think I’m one, or not, it’s no biggy) I only look at the posts on the left of the screen, not what forums they are in. I didn’t realise that there are some forums where angels should fear to tread.

 

[curlycool89]

Yes, it is interesting how in the “Traditional Catholicism” forum there are self-appointed monitors who make sure they have something to say against traditional Catholic practices.

Sometimes it seems like they want every post on traditional Catholic spirituality to come with the fine-print disclaimers that accompany pharmaceutical ads

Well you know, it would certainly make a lot of people’s lives easier and confuse a lot less people if certain posts would bother to mention the difference between “opinion” and “requirement”. Especially since some people (no names) seem that they sometimes want to turn their opinion into a requirement.

 

[ringil]

Thanks.

I totally understand how people who receive communion reverently feel when they see lax or careless attitudes towards communion. These things drive me crazy too.

I have never really watched how others receive, except on TV, though I have never been an EMHC. I feel that the Lord is calling me to receive on the tongue, but this in no way makes me more or less reverant than any other communicant.

 

[JReducation]

Yes, it is interesting how in the “Traditional Catholicism” forum there are self-appointed monitors who make sure they have something to say against traditional Catholic practices.

Sometimes it seems like they want every post on traditional Catholic spirituality to come with the fine-print disclaimers that accompany pharmaceutical ads

• PAX

Well you know, it would certainly make a lot of people’s lives easier and confuse a lot less people if certain posts would bother to mention the difference between “opinion” and “requirement”. Especially since some people (no names) seem that they sometimes want to turn their opinion into a requirement.

Even though the forum is Traditional Catholicism, it is important that things be clearly stated, to the best of the poster’s ability. Sometimes the poster may not know a particular detail that another poster knows and it can be an important detail. The difference between an opinion and a requirement is a very important detail.

We can’t just pretend that because we’re speaking to Traditionalists that they are bound to every tradition. There are some traditions that are not binding. They’re preferences. It’s part of good catechesis to clarify as much as possible.

We have many people who read these threads and may not post, but they’re reading. Some of them get confused. I receive about 20 PMs a week from observers. It’s always the same thing, “Brother, what does this mean?” or “Brother, do I have to do this?” or “Brother, is it a sin if I don’t do that?” It’s usually because someone is interested in a subject, but the posters left out a detail. The inquirer is uncomfortable asking for a clarification on the thread.

The fine print is helpful to many people.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[Christine85]

Yes, well I for one am very thankful for your responses to show my error. I actually did seriously think the Pope said this according to my friend and what I found on google.
I understand google is not the most reliable source but I needed to get to the bottom of this because I lost sleep over it.
I realize in the future I’ll try and trust my Spiritual Director more and try not to let myself get influenced by lay people.
I had 2 people I know put down the congregation he is from and I didn’t know what to think. This is a lesson for me … That God has provided me a Spiritual Director and I should be obedient and listen to his wisdom.
I’m sorry if this thread has caused problems. My impression from people has been that Priests don’t always listen to the Holy Father about things and I jumped to conclusions thinking this was the case. Obviously I was misinformed.

 

[ConstantineTG]

For Roman Catholics it’s definitely the most reverent way to receive Holy Communion

Actually no. The most reverent way is to go to Confession before Mass.

 

[ImmaculataFides]

For Roman Catholics it’s definitely the most reverent way to receive Holy Communion (for those who physically can). Last year I stopped receiving on the hands and then later began kneeling to receive. Sometimes it’s awkward when I go to the OF Mass with family and there’s a lay person distributing Holy Communion but I feel lowly in the presence of my Lord (not lowly enough) and I can’t imagine doing it any other way now. I’m in.

Don’t say that here! You’ll be swarmed by fanatical Communion in the Hand advocates!

 

[Christine85]

I think now, according to the Pope both ways are fine. As we have discussed it is the interior disposition. I think do what ever feels best for you. As long as you can have that special time with Jesus. Who knows maybe one day I may receive on the hand again , I don’t know.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Beautiful!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this!

From: motherteresa.org/08_info/ReceivingC.html the official website of Mother Teresa.

I receive communion on the tongue sometimes and in the hand other times.

I’m also an EMHC and on Sunday I gave out communion.

Recently I have noticed the hands of those coming for communion - probably because of conversation like this on CAF.

This Sunday I gave communion to approximately 150 people.

I placed the body of Our Lord into hands racked with arthritis and pain, hands that have washed, fed and clothed babies and children, hands that have cared for the sick and the dying, hand calloused from manual labour in harsh weather, the soft hands of the young, and the wrinkled and veined hands of the old, weak hand and strong hands, hands of sinners and hands of the prayerful and devout.

Among our faculties of reason and speech it is our hands that set us apart from animals. We have opposable thumbs which means we can grip things with great dexterity. This means we can fashion and make objects of beauty, or utility. We can write, paint, play music.

We can also use our hands to soothe a child, make love to a spouse, comfort a sick or dying person.

We can also use our hands to sin, make weapons of war, to steal, rob and kill.

Somehow placing the Body of Christ into human hands in the form of bread makes visible the vulnerability and powerlessness of Christ, but also the trust that He places in us to become what we have received and be Christ in the world.

 

[Christine85]

I actually don’t feel as “unworthy” to even touch the Host anymore. Im going to try to not be pedantic about it. After all, Christ came for sinners, he said so himself. It’s interesting to say we shouldn’t touch it because were not consecrated, but Christ came for all.