Receiving The Eucharist

[Angels_Watchin]

**STATEMENTS FROM POPES, SAINTS & **
**COUNCILS **

St. Basil the Great, Doctor Church (330-379)
"The right to receive Holy Communion in the hand is permitted only in times of persecution.”
.
Pope St. Leo the Great (440-461)
Energetically defended and required faithful obedience to the practice of administering Holy Communion on the tongue of the faithful. “One receives in the mouth what one believes by faith”

**The Synod of Rouen (650) **
Condemned Communion in the hand to halt the widespread abuses that occurred from this practice, and as a safeguard against sacrilege. The Synod of Rouen says, “Do not put the Eucharist in the hands of any layman or laywomen, but ONLY in their mouths.”

The Sixth Ecumenical Council, at Constantinople (680-681)
Forbade the faithful to take the Sacred Host in their hand, threatening transgressors with excommunication.

**St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) **
“Out of reverence towards this sacrament [the Holy Eucharist], nothing touches it, but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest’s hands, for touching this sacrament.” (Summa Theologica, Part III, Q. 82, Art. 3, Rep. Obj. 8)

The Council of Trent (1545-1565)
“The fact that only the priest gives Holy Communion with his consecrated hands is an Apostolic Tradition.”

Pope Paul VI (1963-1978)
“[Communion on the tongue] rests upon a tradition of many centuries” and “is a sign of the reverence of the faithful toward the Eucharist. . . . . “In addition, this manner of communicating . . . gives more effective assurance that Holy Communion will be distributed with the appropriate reverence, decorum, and dignity; that any danger of profaning the Eucharistic species, in which the whole and entire Christ, God and man, is substantially contained and permanently present in a unique way, will be avoided; and finally that the diligent care which the Church has always commended for the very fragments of the consecrated bread will be maintained. . . .“[Communion in the hand carries with it certain dangers.] They are a lessening of reverence toward the noble sacrament of the altar, its profanation, or the adulteration of correct doctrine.”* *
**Instruction on the Manner of Administering Holy Communion, issued by the Vatican, the Congregation for Divine Worship Pope Paul VI, May 29, 1969

Pope John Paul II
To touch the sacred species and to distribute them with their own hands is a privilege of the ordained. (Dominicae Cenae, 11)

**SCRIPTURE **

"And [the Lord] said to me: …“But you, son of man, hear what I say to you;** be not rebellious like that rebellious house, open your mouth, and eat what I give you.” **
\And He said to me; “Son of man, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go speak to the house of Israel**. “ So I opened my mouth, and He gave me the scroll to eat.** (O.T. the scroll=the word; N.T.“and the word was made flesh…”) And he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.” (Ez. 2:1,8,9; 3:13, RSV)

In another place, in a psalm with prophetic, Eucharistic overtones, which is used in the Office of Corpus Christi, the Lord says to us, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it … "

The only ones to communicate always standing and with their hands outstretched were, from the beginning, the Arians, who obstinately denied the Divinity of Christ and who could not see in the Eucharist any more than a simple symbol of “union,” which can be taken and handled at will.

I receive on the tongue, for all the reasons stated above!!

Angel

 

[Mike_Olson]

In the hand; it was the way I was taught.

 

[ridesawhitehors]

Windmill:

I went to a parish that had altar rails and communion by intinction (thus, no communion in the hand). It was heavenly!

Not only that, but above the rail was a something akin to an iconostasis: it separated the sanctuary from the nave (where the pews are), and ontop of the partition was a huge, life-size crucifix. So, you were kneeling at the foot of the cross to receive Our Lord.

It was a powerful catechesis that taught volumes without saying a word.

That, versus the take-out line in many typical parishes…

Interesting that the Anglican Archbishop Cranmer fought to allow communion in the hand after the English Reformation (Anglican split from the Church) because “In one generation, they will no longer believe in Transubstatiation”.

Now stop and think, there are a ton of people going up for communion nowadays that don’t have the foggiest idea of what it is they are doing. How can I say this with confidence? People are chewing gum, talking to their buddies on the way up, leaving as soon as they receive, not going to confession but always going to communion. It’s SAD!! And I think that Communion in the Hand is partly to blame for it. Just my opinion, but I think it trivializes it all. I’m not judging these people’s souls - they are ignorant of the reality that surrounds them at Mass. Their culpability is besides the point. A generation ago, the average Catholic atleast knew what the Eucharist was all about - whether or not they participated weekly in communion.

You can’t tell me that if you were receiving at an altar rail from a priest while you were kneeling that you’d detect “Something sacred is going on here.” But in a bread line, it’s easy to miss it.

BTW, I always receive on the tongue after experiencing that parish.
http://www.atonementonline.com/images/easter_04.jpg

OH MY GOODNESS! What A BEEE-YOOOOO TEEE- FULLL Church! It is a lot like mine.

 

[marty1818]

I always receive on the tongue. That way there are no remaining fragments of the Eucharist on my hand that I have to worry about dropping.

Matt

 

[MrAzul]

I had an unusual experience while receiving communion in the hand recently. It was during a confirmation mass, and I received from the bishop. I had my hands extended, right hand supported by my left. After saying “Amen” to the bishops’ “Body of Christ”, I noticed that he wasn’t placing the sacrament in my hand. I looked down, and he was holding it just above my cupped hands. I waited a few seconds, but when it was evident that he was not going to place the sacrament in my hand, I was forced to take it using my thumb and index finger. What should I make of this? This had been bothering me since it happened (just last night).

P.S. This happened in the archdiocese of Los Angeles

 

[netmilsmom]

Angels Watchin:

WHY?

Angel

I guess that I want both my girls to know that there are other ways of doing things and God Willing we will never have to receive in the hand, I would rather they know how than skip receiving as I have done in the past.

 

[Podo2004]

starrs0:

How do you receive the Eucharist?

In the hand

 

[cheese_sdc]

In the hand.

As we have the option to receive both ways, it is foolish to think that that tongue is somehow “more pure” than the hand.

 

[Mickey]

MrAzul:

I had an unusual experience while receiving communion in the hand recently. It was during a confirmation mass, and I received from the bishop. I had my hands extended, right hand supported by my left. After saying “Amen” to the bishops’ “Body of Christ”, I noticed that he wasn’t placing the sacrament in my hand. I looked down, and he was holding it just above my cupped hands. I waited a few seconds, but when it was evident that he was not going to place the sacrament in my hand, I was forced to take it using my thumb and index finger. What should I make of this? This had been bothering me since it happened (just last night).

P.S. This happened in the archdiocese of Los Angeles

Wow! That’s not right. A bishop no less! I don’t know what to make of that.:bigyikes:

 

[Meggie]

For a while I recieved on the tounge a bit as my youth minister and other adult leaders from my youth group did, but it made me so nervous that I stopped.

 

[Exporter]

MaryRose35:

I only receive on the tongue. I am really not for receiving in the hand, but if you are going to receive in the hand, I think it important to be aware of the guidelines for receiving this way:

NOTIFICATION OF THE SACRED CONGREGATION FOR THE DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS ON COMMUNION IN THE HAND

The Holy See, since 1969, while maintaining the traditional manner of distributing communion, has granted to those Episcopal Conferences that have requested it, the faculty of distributing communion by placing the host in the hands of the faithful.

This faculty is governed by the Instructions Memoriale Domini and Immensae caritatis (29 May 1969: AAS 61, 1969, 541-546; 29 January 1973; AAS 65, 1973, 264-271) and by the Ritual De sacra Communione published 21 June 1973, n. 21. Nevertheless it would seem to be opportune to draw attention to the following points:

1. **Communion in the hand should show, as much as communion on the tongue, due respect towards the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. **For this reason emphasis should be laid, as was done by the Fathers of the Church, upon the dignity of the gesture of the communicant. Thus, the newly baptized at the end of the 4th century were directed to stretch out both hands making “the left hand a throne for the right hand, which receives the King” (Fifth mystagogical cathechesis of Jerusalem, n. 21: PG 33, col. 1125, or Sources chret., 126, p. 171; St. John Chrysostom, Homily 47: PG 63, col. 898, etc.) (In practice the opposite direction has to be given to the faithful: the left hand is to be placed upon the right hand, so that the sacred host can be conveyed to the mouth with the right hand.)
2. Again following the teaching of the Fathers, insistence is to be laid upon the importance of the Amen said in response to the formula of the minister “The Body of Christ”; this Amen is an affirmation of faith: “Cum ergo petieris, dicit tibi sacerdos ‘Corpus Christi’ et tu dicis ‘Amen’, hoc est ‘verum’; quod confitetur lingua, teneat affectus” (St. Ambrose De Sacramentis, 4, 25: SC 25 bis, p. 116).
3. The communicant who has received the Eucharist in the hand is to consume it before returning to his place, moving aside yet remaining facing the altar in order to allow the person following to approach the minister.

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1. It is from the Church that the faithful receive the holy Eucharist, which is communion in the Body of the Lord and in the Church; for this reason the communicant should not take from the paten or container, as would be done for ordinary bread, but the hands must be stretched out to receive it from the minister of communion.

5**. Out of respect for the Eucharist, cleanliness of hands is expected, children need to be reminded of this.**

1. It is necessary that the faithful receive sound catechesis in this matter, and that insistence be laid upon the sentiments of adoration and respect that are required towards this most holy sacrament (cf. Dominicae cenae, n. 11). Care must be taken that fragments of the consecrated host are not lost (cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2 May 1972: Prot. N. 89/71, in Notitiae 1972, p. 227).

7**. The faithful are not to be obliged to adopt the practice of communion in the hand, each one is free to communicate in one way or the other.**

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These norms and those indicated in the documents cited above are designed to recall the duty of respect for the Eucharist and apply independently of the way in which communion is received.

Those who have the care of souls should insist not only upon the necessary dispositions for the fruitful reception of communion, which in certain instances demands recourse to the sacrament of Reconciliation, but also upon an external attitude which conveys a sense of respect in general and expresses in particular the belief of the faithful in the Eucharist.

---

From the Congregation of Divine Worship, 3 April, 1985.

+Augustin Mayer, O.S.B.
Titular Archbishop of Satriano
Pro-Prefect

+Virgilio Noe
Titular Archbishop of Voncaria
Secretary

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As I read the above I thought of the littel kid was caught fishing in the creek after his dad had forbidden him to go near the creek ( kid cannot swim).

It seems as if the poster knows he wqas wrong in some way and chose to post a long series of reasons that he does what he does - even though there was a doubt in his mind.

The little kid tried to avout punishment by telling his dad that he was tryibng to catch a fish for the dad.

 

[nianka]

puzzleannie:

there is one Lithuanian parish who administers by intinction (priest only), that we go to when we visit that town. To me that is much the preferred way of receiving the Body and Blood of the Savior.

Dumb Question: What is intinction?
nianka

 

[InnocentIII]

nianka:

Dumb Question: What is intinction?
nianka

The Priest dips the host in the wine and then gives it to the communicant. As far as I know it is not licit in the Roman rite.

Many Eastern Catholic churches (as wellas the Orthodox churches) give communion by taking a piece of the sacramental bread on a spoon, dipping it in the wine and then placing it in the communicants mouth.

 

[wannabee]

Communion by Intinction in the Roman Church may only be administered by the Priest or presumably Deacon ] . No EHMC may give Communion this way.

No - to my knowledge Communion possibly with the exception of the Melkites - Neil prove me wrong ] in the EC Churches is always from the Chalice using the spoon, BUT the Particles are placed in the Chalice before it is given to any Laity.

 

[palmas85]

I could never receive in the hand.

 

[InnocentIII]

wannabee:

Communion by Intinction in the Roman Church may only be administered by the Priest or presumably Deacon ] . No EHMC may give Communion this way.

No - to my knowledge Communion possibly with the exception of the Melkites - Neil prove me wrong ] in the EC Churches is always from the Chalice using the spoon, BUT the Particles are placed in the Chalice before it is given to any Laity.

Thankyou wannabee … I knew something about it was not licit. Those who receive in the hand are also not allowed to intict it for themselves.

 

[AGirone]

cheese_sdc:

In the hand.

As we have the option to receive both ways, it is foolish to think that that tongue is somehow “more pure” than the hand.

And yet there is so much history behind receiving on the tongue as the post above quoting all the Popes, Saints and Councils admonish…is historical practice of thousands of years “foolish”? And since less time has passed honoring say, the rosary, is it even more “foolish”?

Our Church celebrates the lengthy history of traditions that separate us from the Protestants faith of the last 500 years.

Don’t you just LOVE the fullness of our faith…the saints, the magesterium and teaching history only we can rely on, the Blessed Mother, the REAL PRESENCE…

I especially love these quotes our friend above posted…

Pope St. Leo the Great (440-461)
Energetically defended and required faithful obedience to the practice of administering Holy Communion on the tongue of the faithful. “One receives in the mouth what one believes by faith”

Pope Paul VI (1963-1978)
“[Communion on the tongue] rests upon a tradition of many centuries” and “is a sign of the reverence of the faithful toward the Eucharist.

Perhaps it’s an uncomfortable practice for some, receiving on the tongue, but pushing through that feeling as an offering to Jesus is a little cross and I am looking for ways to signal to myself that Communion is otherworldy, the most amazing moment of any day. Receiving on the tongue is a signal for me to take a pause, humble myself and note just Who it is that I am receiving. I eat chips out of my hand. So this “signal” works for me.

 

[A.Pelliccio]

I used to receive in the hand (first communion through confirmation). Then I did some more reading and started the receive on my tounge then finally on my knees.

 

[Christus_Rex]

Windmill:

Not only that, but above the rail was a something akin to an iconostasis: it separated the sanctuary from the nave (where the pews are), and ontop of the partition was a huge, life-size crucifix. So, you were kneeling at the foot of the cross to receive Our Lord.

Its called a rood screen.
(rood is an old Anglo-Saxon word for cross)

Michael

 

[deaconswife]

I recieve in any manner that is judged acceptable by the Catholic Church. I refuse to pass judgement on those who recieve in a different manner from myself as long as it is an accepted manner of receiving Our Lord according to the Catholic Church.