Receiving the Eucharist

[Thomas_Casey]

Please do not refer to Traditionalist Catholics as rad trads, trads or some other label that is rude. Never ridicule the faith and position of another person. I’ve deleted some posts for that reason and have issued infractions.

Thomas Casey
Moderator

 

[At_Trent]

St. Cyril of Jerusalem is SUCH an antiquarian.
“When thou goest to receive communion go not with thy wrists extended, nor with thy fingers separated, but placing thy left hand as a throne for thy right, which is to receive so great a King, and in the hollow of the palm receive the body of Christ, saying, Amen.”
St. Cyril of Jerusalem: “Fifth Mystagogical Catechesis”, 21: PG 33. col 1125 (c. 350 AD) as cited by the *Quintsext Synod of Trullo Canon 101 *(c. 692 AD)

Ok, if those words be your argument, what is the argument for the current norm of receiving CITH ? Read St Cyril’s words carefully.

 

[At_Trent]

Good Morning,
When I was growing up in the 50’s and early 60’s, everyone received communion on the tongue at the altar, on our knees. I believe this is the correct way to receive communion. God is our King and Lord,we need to be humble and respectful. Kathleen

Welcome Kathleen

Agreed !

 

[baltobetsy]

How would they know? I mean, if Fr. Rutler says this was told him by Mother Teresa, and we know they knew each other, it’s very possibly true. Were the Missionaries of Charity in question there at that very moment?

What if I, now, deny that the Missionaries of Charity ever denied that Mother Teresa maid the statement in question? I wasn’t there during the supposed denial, so what would I know?

Also the poster who mentioned Mother Teresa’s statement gave a source (Fr. Rutler, even a specific time and place, and it was a public homily, and a report of a personal encounter). Can you tell us who in the Missionaries denied Mother Teresa’s statement, when, and how they knew?

Here you go.

Then there’s the clarification from Fr. Rutler:

Dear Mr.

“In reply to your question, Mother Teresa did indeed say to me that she was saddened by how some people receive communion in the hand - without reverence. But she also was upset that people interpreted this to mean that she opposed communion in the hand altogether. Her point was the attitude of the communicant. She always received on the tongue as do the sisters in her order, but she told me that if the bishops gave permission for communion in the hand, she obeyed and wanted this made clear. The issue is the disposition of the individual receiving communion, not whether it is in the hand or on the tongue.

I have explained this countless times and some have ignored this clarification, which would have hurt Mother. This is why I do not like to refer to it anymore, because there are those who distort her words. I think communion on the tongue is preferable, but one can receive worthily either way.

Sincerely,

George Rutler 4 March 2008

 

[mytruepower2]

I was raised in a climate that encouraged reception in the hand, though I would never want to do it now, and it didn’t really feel right back then. Somehow, the idea of being able to take something in my hands, and through my own effort, put it in my mouth, always made me doubt the real presence of God in the Eucharist. It just felt too tangible and physical to be worthy of much respect.

Keep in mind that this was before my close encounter with agnosticism, and my subsequent return to the faith. It wasn’t until much later that I learned the truth about it; that people touching the Eucharist in that manner tended to lose faith in their priests, and in God, because it seemed to diminish the importance of the priesthood.

This is more psychological than doctrinal, but at this point, the church in Europe and North America is in a great deal of chaos, due largely to the loss of faith on the part of so many thousands, who only really attend Holy Mass at Christmas and Easter.

Having returned to the faith, and learning why the sacraments exist, I’ve come to conclude that while reception in the hand may not be forbidden, exactly, reception on the tongue is a form of extraordinary respect for the priest and for God, and if I hesitate to show him extraordinary respect, I need to question the strength of my faith.

 

[Happy_B]

That’s why we use patens and that’s why we train servers on how to use them.

Exactly, very correct!

 

[Happy_B]

I was raised in a climate that encouraged reception in the hand, though I would never want to do it now, and it didn’t really feel right back then. Somehow, the idea of being able to take something in my hands, and through my own effort, put it in my mouth, always made me doubt the real presence of God in the Eucharist. It just felt too tangible and physical to be worthy of much respect.

Keep in mind that this was before my close encounter with agnosticism, and my subsequent return to the faith. It wasn’t until much later that I learned the truth about it; that people touching the Eucharist in that manner tended to lose faith in their priests, and in God, because it seemed to diminish the importance of the priesthood.

This is more psychological than doctrinal, but at this point, the church in Europe and North America is in a great deal of chaos, due largely to the loss of faith on the part of so many thousands, who only really attend Holy Mass at Christmas and Easter.

Having returned to the faith, and learning why the sacraments exist, I’ve come to conclude that while reception in the hand may not be forbidden, exactly, reception on the tongue is a form of extraordinary respect for the priest and for God, and if I hesitate to show him extraordinary respect, I need to question the strength of my faith.

How beautifully said! In central and eastern Europe it’s not even permitted to receive in the hand and people would even not think about it. People would not dare touch it with their hands, we would feel unworthy to take the real Jesus’ body into our hands…I also noticed, as mentioned by mytuepower in the previous post, that there is a chaos in the church in England and I have been told by many people that many people don’t even go for confession anymore yet they still go forward to receive the Eucharist! I was and still am incredibly shocked over this…

In 1980 Pope John Paul II wrote a letter to all the bishops of the church on the mystery and worship of the eucharist (Dominicae Cenae), it says:

*’'In some countries the practice of receiving Communion in the hand has been introduced. This practice has been requested by individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. However, cases of a deplorable lack of respect towards the eucharistic species have been reported, cases which are imputable not only to the individuals guilty of such behavior but also to the pastors of the church who have not been vigilant enough regarding the attitude of the faithful towards the Eucharist.

It also happens, on occasion, that the free choice of those who prefer to continue the practice of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue is not taken into account in those places where the distribution of Communion in the hand has been authorized. It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. This is in no way meant to refer to those who, receiving the Lord Jesus in the hand, do so with profound reverence and devotion, in those countries where this practice has been authorized.

But one must not forget the primary office of priests, who have been consecrated by their ordination to represent Christ the Priest: for this reason their hands, like their words and their will, have become the direct instruments of Christ. Through this fact, that is, as ministers of the Holy Eucharist, they have a primary responsibility for the sacred species, because it is a total responsibility: they offer the bread and wine, they consecrate it, and then distribute the sacred species to the participants in the assembly who wish to receive them.’’*

 

[mytruepower2]

Thank you very much, Happy B. I’ve actually been looking for those quotes, so you did me quite a favor just now.

 

[Happy_B]

Thank you very much, Happy B. I’ve actually been looking for those quotes, so you did me quite a favor just now.

My pleasure

 

[johnthebaptist1]

I to, beleive that when receiveing Holy Communion,it should be on the tongue,and not
in your hand,s for it is now the Body and Blood of our Lord.And I shall receive on my
tongue always.
There was a time when a women who was helping out the priest, tripped and the Host fell out,they pick them up and remove them,because once they hit the floor no one can
receive them.I ,am happy to here some else,that beleives that the Host should only
be receive on the tongue only. GOD BLESS YOU.

 

[FirstCalled]

I agree with you OP. In my parish the only people I saw growing up were those carrying a couple kids and had no hands free to receive in the hand and so would receive on the tongue. After I finally found my way to the tridentine a couple months ago I now faithfully receive on the tongue every time now.

 

[God_sent]

I agree, in the need (for parishners), absolute reverance for our Lords true presence, and was myself adiment about my reception on the tongue, there are always dangers and one could (if) oneself to death, with regards to others reception, The Chruch had spoken, and I will stand always upon the Rock, and therefore no one is doing wrong, except for sacrilegious behaviors, that seem rampant today, with that said, St. John Chrysostom, writings during the 4/5th Century, (Doctor of the Church), has stated this, that the reception on the hands was in fact an early norm…with that said…I myself revere our Lord, and within the understanding that my once vile tongue, could recieve the Lord, then why not my hands of prayer, (which were also used to sin), but now live for Grace and Truth, could they (hands) not then receive Our Lord with the reverance due Him!+++.as I believe my entire body to be unworlthy, though today Grace grants me the hope of his friendship …therefore I am honored to place a throne(my hands) before Him, so as to embrace Him is true Love…It’s the heart at the moment of ones reception that God truly sees?, I"m personnally to busy giving “Thanks” to pay attention to others. On one other note I have seen the opposite of what you speak (our Lord being lost or falling) due to ones reception on the tongue, or the ministers mistake…I myself would ultimately choose to follow the asian girl Bishop Fulten Sheen, often said inspired him to 1 hour a day adoration, the Priest was removed, the Church close and the Tabernacle thrown to the ground with 33 consecrated host, she came by every night, snuck into the Church and recieved our Lord on her knees and tongue, the last night she made a slight nose and the guard heard her , he chased her down and with the butt of his weapon killed her…praise be the soul of my sister… and Praise be the God I serve…+++"Praise be Jesus