Pope's Approval for Communion in the Hand?

[INAdoration]

I recently read that there has never been a Pope who has encouraged Communion in the Hand, is that true? I then heard that the current Pope allows it in Italy, the U.S. and some other countries as an indult (?) but only because the bishops insisted.

In Maria Simma’s book Get Us Out of Here she relates that many souls of priests have come to her from Purgatory because they encouraged Communion in the Hand which is offensive to Our Lord. (She also stated that the laity are not held responsible, but their leaders are.)

I have started receiving on the tongue again after hearing this. Many of the people I know frown on my decision. I know that I am not to be refused Communion on the tongue however (Redemptionis Sacramentum).

 

[system]

I try to always receive on the tongue, and I sure wish they would bring back the altar rails. I doubt any Pope was ever seriously “for” receiving by the hand.

 

[Faithful_2_Rome]

I have never read of any of the KNOWN blesseds, venerables, or saints who have had souls visit them from purgatory state either way that communion in the hand is wrong…in fact…whenever such a person has visions contradicting church teaching, is when one needs to be leary of the devil creeping in to cause interior division… The church leaves the matter of taking communion in the hand up to the individual.

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

Pope Paul VI, in the 1969 document Memoriale Domini, outlined all the reasons why communion in the hand was inadvisable and why the traditional method was to be preferred and maintained. But he allowed a “loophole” for countries which had begun the practice illicitly to petition the Holy See for permission. In 1977 a bare majority of bishops in the United States - going against the local tradition - voted for communion in the hand and received permission to introduce the practice.

Maria Simma is a cook, not approved by the Church. Go here for a brief critique of the premises upon which her visions are based, from Catholic Answers

 

[INAdoration]

Maria Simma is a cook? What does that have to do with anything? Anyway, she died in March of this year so I doubt if anyone has to wonder about asking her questions. Whether you believe in HER or not, apparently Pope Paul VI was NOT in favor of Communion in the hand. At least in this area she was correct.

I too, miss the Communion rails. They were covered with a cloth and the laity kept their hands beneath it. Apparently there WAS a reason for this. I remember reading about St. Therese the Little Flower finding a tiny piece of the Host on the floor. She knelt in adoration and sent another Sister for the priest. He came a long time later and she knelt before the Host to adore and protect it until the priest got there. She did not pick it up and toss it into her mouth.

Does anyone have documention or know of any where a Pope encouraged or suggested Communion in the Hand?

When I first heard about this, I too, felt irritated, so I understand the initial response in questioning Communion in the Hand. However, just because it is more convenient (and expedient to move the line along) does not necessarity make it right.

 

[Karl_Keating]

DominvsVobiscvm:

Maria Simma is a cook, not approved by the Church.

DV, I presume you are distinguishing the late Maria Simma from those cooks who ARE approved by the Church. :ehh:

(I once had dinner with Archbishop Justin Rigali in a nice little restaurant around from the Vatican. I wonder whether the cook there was on the approved list? I suppose so, given that the Archbishop was a regular patron.)

 

[rfk]

INAdoration:

In Maria Simma’s book Get Us Out of Here

Alleged private revelations are required to be submitted first to the diocesan bishop, and, in particular cases, to the judgment of the episcopal conference and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Publication prior to receiving permission goes directly against Canon law 824.1 and 824.2.

There are many instances of canonized saints who demonstrated the virtue of obediance to their bishop, and maintained complete silence about their visions until given permission to reveal them. St. Pio is just one example of someone who spent a great deal of time under his Bishop’s discipline.

It is fitting and proper that this discipline be maintained. That is how we avoid the heretical schisms that are currently underway in the Church, where well-meaning and sincere people gullibly follow all these false Marian apparitions. Great damage to the Church has been done by the many people profiting from the false apparations at Bayside, Garabandal, Medjugorje, and others. All such damage would be avoided if the people seeking to profit had simply submitted to the authority of their local Bishop. But no, we’ve widespread disobediance – even violence – instead.

There is no imprimatur in that book. The very fact it is being promoted at the heretical medjugorje.org website tells me everything I need to know. There are enough genuine works written by confirmed saints to keep me busy with a lifetime of reading.

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

DV, I presume you are distinguishing the late Maria Simma from those cooks who ARE approved by the Church.

LOLOL!



I meant to say that she was a “kook” (i.e. cuckoo)!

:whacky:

Does anyone have documention or know of any where a Pope encouraged or suggested Communion in the Hand?

As I already noted, Paul VI himself made it a possibility in his Memoriale Domini. In it, he wrote:

Therefore, taking into account the remarks and the advice of those whom “the Holy Spirit has placed to rule over” the Churches (Acts 20:28), in view of the gravity of the matter and the force of the arguments put forward, the Holy Father has decided not to change the existing way of administering holy communion to the faithful.

The Apostolic See therefore emphatically urges bishops, priests and laity to obey carefully the law which is still valid and which has again been confirmed. It urges them to take account of the judgment given by the majority of Catholic bishops, of the rite now in use in the liturgy, of the common good of the Church.

**Where a contrary usage, that of placing holy communion on the hand, prevails, the Holy See-wishing to help them fulfill their task, often difficult as it is nowadays-lays on those conferences the task of weighing carefully whatever special circumstances may exist there, taking care to avoid any risk of lack of respect or of false opinions with regard to the Blessed Eucharist, and to avoid any other ill effects that may follow.

In such cases, episcopal conferences should examine matters carefully and should make whatever decisions, by a secret vote and with a two-thirds majority, are needed to regulate matters. Their decisions should be sent to Rome to receive the necessary confirmation, accompanied with a detailed account of the reasons which led them to take those decisions. The Holy See will examine each case carefully, taking into account the links between the different local churches and between each of them and the Universal Church, in order to promote the common good and the edification of all, and that mutual good example may increase faith and piety.**

Paul VI gave the United States the indult in 1977. For more information, go here.

 

[yves]

I read that Mother Theresa stated that nothing made her sadder than to see people receiving the Eucharist by hand. For my part, I’m also a little uncomfortable when I receive from a lay person’s hands, although I understand that they received first from consecrated hands. If I’m in a church where this is the norm, I don’t march over to the priest’s line. I know the person from whom I will receive Communion is humble and sincere. But for all my reading, I wish I understood these practices better. Dominus Vobiscum? Anybody?

God bless.

 

[CathAnFanatical]

DominvsVobiscvm:

Pope Paul VI, in the 1969 document Memoriale Domini, outlined all the reasons why communion in the hand was inadvisable and why the traditional method was to be preferred and maintained. But he allowed a “loophole” for countries which had begun the practice illicitly to petition the Holy See for permission. In 1977 a bare majority of bishops in the United States - going against the local tradition - voted for communion in the hand and received permission to introduce the practice.

Things like this is exactly why I wished the Holy Father would lay the Iron Rod down on the US.

Why are we so special that we get to do things other dont?? What does ‘Universal’ really mean to these Bishops?

Im truely, truely sick of the US Bishops asking for certain 'indults' due to our society...its our society that stinks and should be changed by the CHURCH, not the Church be changed by society.

Our Bishops and Priests are too scared to stand up to Political leaders but they can go before God and ask for a special 'favor' because our society might require it?? 

I say if everyone else has to fast on Fridays, then we should too. If everyone else genuflects before Recieving Christ, then we should too. If everyone else Recieves on the Tongue then We should too.

I wish I was apart of the layity board that is apart of the US Bishops now.


ok, im done ranting. God love ya!

 

[Katholikos]

From Catholic Answers:

(Please excuse the underscore. It does not appear in the original text from CA. My computer added it for reasons unbeknown to me!)

[ 23:22).

The Congregation of the Sacraments and Divine Worship permitted the U.S. Bishops’ Conference to authorize reception of Communion in the hand on July 25, 1977, provided the local bishop implements the practice in his diocese. Once implemented, the option to receive Communion either in the hand or on the tongue always remains with the communicant. No priest, deacon, acolyte, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may refuse a communicant Communion on the tongue. Likewise, once the local bishop has introduced Communion in the hand, none may refuse a communicant Communion in the hand (except when Communion is being given by intinction, in which case it must be given on the tongue). Communion may be received either in the hand or on the tongue. Around the year A.D. 390, Cyril of Jerusalem indicated that the early Church practiced Communion in the hand when he instructed his audience: “Approaching, therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or thy fingers open; but make thy left hand as if a throne for thy right, which is on the eve of receiving the King. And having hallowed thy palm, receive the body of Christ, saying after it, ‘Amen.’ Then after thou hast with carefulness hallowed thine eyes by the touch of the holy body, partake thereof; giving heed lest thou lose any of it; for what thou losest is a loss to thee as it were from one of thine own members. For tell me, if anyone gave thee gold dust, wouldst thou not with all precaution keep it fast, being on thy guard against losing any of it, and suffering loss?” (Catechetical Lectures](http://www.catholic.com/library/Who_Can_Receive_Communion.asp)

http://www.catholic.com/library/Who_Can_Receive_Communion.asp

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

yves:

I read that Mother Theresa stated that nothing made her sadder than to see people receiving the Eucharist by hand. For my part, I’m also a little uncomfortable when I receive from a lay person’s hands, although I understand that they received first from consecrated hands. If I’m in a church where this is the norm, I don’t march over to the priest’s line. I know the person from whom I will receive Communion is humble and sincere. But for all my reading, I wish I understood these practices better. Dominus Vobiscum? Anybody?

God bless.

I wouldn’t worry about it. I myself never receive in the hand, no matter who I receive the Eucharist from.

I don’t know quite how to explain the change in practice. Parishes were doing it long before it was allowed; I think the Holy See granted the indult so many Catholics would not be acting in a state of disobedience, and thus sin. A concession to human weakness/egoism. If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em.

Not that I agree with this approach, but its the only “logic” I can think of.

 

[kman025]

Two minor points:

Brother Lawrence of the Resurection, author of The Practice of the Presence of God --a highly celebrated work of Carmelite sprituality-- was a tremendously respectable cook.

St. Pio is said to have had at least one discussion with a soul who was being purged.

 

[mptc]

Both Communion in the hand and the Tridentine Mass are granted by indult. Meaning, the pope does not encourage it, nor does he forbid it.

In Christ,
mptc

 

[gomer_tree]

Communion was originally taken in the hand. I guess those first-century types were irreverent?

If you wish to receive communion on the tongue, please do. I personally usually receive it in the hand. I consider myself reverent. If I were to ever receive an indication from my Bishop or Pope that doing it is irreverent, I will cease. Until then, I find this to be just another issue where people take an opportunity to judge the holiness of others - Church leaders and other laity.

 

[onaquest]

DominvsVobiscvm:

I wouldn’t worry about it. I myself never receive in the hand, no matter who I receive the Eucharist from.

I don’t know quite how to explain the change in practice. Parishes were doing it long before it was allowed; I think the Holy See granted the indult so many Catholics would not be acting in a state of disobedience, and thus sin. A concession to human weakness/egoism. If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em.

Not that I agree with this approach, but its the only “logic” I can think of.

Can someone please address this? Is our Church history filled with concessions to human weakness/egoism. Something about that quote just dosen’t settle right within me.

 

[Carrie_Andrews]

While listening to EWTN on the radio recently I heard someone say the receiving in the hand was taken up by the non catholics to underscore the fact that it is only bread we are receiving and not the true Body and Blood of Christ. I’ve been receiving by mouth only since then. I have to admit I like receiving by hand best, because I had done it that way for years. I think the most important thing is where your heart is not your hands.

 

[gomer_tree]

onaquest:

Can someone please address this? Is our Church history filled with concessions to human weakness/egoism. Something about that quote just dosen’t settle right within me.

Like I said, the original practice was not to pplace it directly in the mouth. They broke bread and handed it out.

This is a matterof discipline, not doctrine. Too many people elevate it to the doctrinal level.

Quite honestly, I am not sure of the reasons for a change back to the option to receive it in the hand. And to be honest, it is not relevant to me. The Church states it is OK.

I see irony in the objections. Faithful Catholics would agree that we need to follow the Church’s teachings and guidance. There is a grouop that thinks they can pick and choose. Many of the same people who care that some do not take the Church’s teachings seriously are the same people who lambast the Church for allowing certain things, declaring that the Church is wrong, and assigning all sorts of motivations to this abhorrent practice!

I realize there are legitimate concerns, but if we truly hold the Church to be our guide, then it seems to me that questioning too much why certain things are allowed - if allowed appropriately, of course - has issues of its own. I prefer to trust the Church on these issues. I may prefer one way over another - and in most cases the Church allows me to exercise this preference. What bothers me is this a certain apparent self-righteousness that occurs with some. Sheesh - we have people on an actuarial bulletin board basically accusing the Pope of being too lazy to fight with the Americans. Come on… if this were really an issue of grave importance, no such indult would ever be granted.

 

[INAdoration]

It is not a matter of questioning the holiness of others, but rather preventing yet another abuse of the Body of Christ. I read about receiving in the hand in the early Church, but the hands were covered with a cloth. I also have heard that since Communion in the hand, there is much more opportunity to pocket hosts (sometimes for Satanic cult use). This was evidenced to me by a very innocent young boy who attended Mass with us. I didn’t realize he went up to Communion as we ended up not sitting together at Mass. He was not a Catholic nor did he know what Communion was about. I discovered later he had the host in his pocket and was taking nibbles from it like a cracker! Of course, he had no idea. There was a purpose to taking Communion in the mouth at a railing with hands under the cloth. I know both ways have been approved, so people can choose. Let me just say that as an adult who works daily with children, it is hard to get them to understand it is not just like eating a potato chip.

 

[Kielbasi]

I recently read that there has never been a Pope who has encouraged Communion in the Hand, is that true?

The magesterium has definitely approved the practice of communion in the hand. But they have left it open to the various bishops as to whether it should be allowed or encouraged in each country.

In the United States the bishops as a whole definitely encourage it with the full knowledge of the magesterium, so in a roundabout way, the recent popes definitely do approve of it, at least in the US.

In RCIA as well as in Catholic schools , communion in the hand is how receiving communion is currently taught in the US.