Preferred Method of Receiving

[otjm]

If I may be so bold to suggest while handling the eucharist with one’s hands isn’t inherently “less” than receiving it on the tongue, it leads to a natural inclination to less awe and less reverence. I hand my friend a cookie, but I am not worthy to hold the Lord in my hand.

To bring some Syriac theology into this, did Isaiah grab the coal from the seraphim? Or was it receive on his lips? Why, then, should be actively hold what is being sent down from heaven to purify us. It is a hold statement to say that we should or rightfully can hold it. It is in the physical consumption that we are made worthy to bear it.

That being said, in theory if one can remain absolutely reverent and mindful when receiving the eucharist in the hand and it is out of some kind of inherent discomfort from receiving it in the mouth that disrupts their prayer then it is of equal validity. But there is a certain inclination to equate things with equal piety too quickly based on not wanting to upset preference, which I don’t think is very sound or valid.

I don’t know that there is a natural inclination to less awe and reverence; having been an altar boy prior to Vatican 2 and seeing the faces of those receiving kneeling and on the tongue and observing their demeanor, and having been an EMHC and seeing communicants faces and observing their demeanor, I have not observed a difference. I think it has a lot to do with how people are catechized, and how they respond to it. People are people, and they range from very reverent to irreverent. Not a lot new under the sun. I am aware that others feel differently; but my observations are what they are.

Oh - and Abuna Decker is an awesome gift to Oregon.

 

[otjm]

Is there any evidence of a pope distributing communion in the hand?

Yes; there is a picture on a recent thread - not sure if the thread got pulled or not. And on another there is a quote from Benedict 16, I believe from one of his books, indicating he did not have a problem with it as long as it was done with reverence.

 

[cheezey]

Yes; there is a picture on a recent thread - not sure if the thread got pulled or not. And on another there is a quote from Benedict 16, I believe from one of his books, indicating he did not have a problem with it as long as it was done with reverence.

 

[Brendan]

Perhaps because they read the Gospel accounts where Christ says “Take and eat…” instead of “Open your mouth and I will feed you…” (my emphasis)?

He also said " Do this, in memory of me", as an instruction for the Apostles to confect the Eucharist.

Not all that was said at the Last Supper applies to the laity, as the Apostles were had received Episcopal Holy Orders.

Bishops through out all of Church history have taken the Eucharist and consumed it themselves. We laity do not take it at all, but receive it.

The method of reception (as opposed to taking) is rightly determined by the Church

 

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by GangGreen View Post
I believe it is preferred that people receive on the tongue at a global level. If you watched the past two popes, they did not allow anyone to receive from them on the hands. That says a lot.

Actually, it does not say anything as it is not factually correct. .

Sort of.

The method of reception on the tongue is universal. The reception of Holy Communion is allowed at the request of the local Bishop’s Conference within the Latin Church.

So there is no Catholic parish in the world ( really of any Rite) where Communion on the tongue is prohibited. But there whole Churches and some Latin dioceses where Communion in the hand is prohibited.

 

[otjm]

Sort of.

The method of reception on the tongue is universal. The reception of Holy Communion is allowed at the request of the local Bishop’s Conference within the Latin Church.

So there is no Catholic parish in the world ( really of any Rite) where Communion on the tongue is prohibited. But there whole Churches and some Latin dioceses where Communion in the hand is prohibited.

Not only am I aware of the universal norm; I also have taught it for the 15 years or so in which I have taught RCIA. It is not my job to tell those joining the Church how they are to receive; so they are taught both ways; the universal norm and the particular norm are both taught, any questions are answered, and I assure them they are completely free to determine how they will receive.

My comment which you noted was to another comment, which indicated that neither of the last two Popes would allow CITH. I can’t speak to JP 2’s practice, but that is simply not correct in reference to Benedict 16; he distributed Communion both ways, and there was photographic evidence of the matter in another recent thread.

I have no problem whatsoever with someone who wishes to receive on the tongue (and I am an EMHC at my parish). I have a significant problem with someone who denigrates either method (and that certainly is not directed at you!).