Receivng Communion on your Hand

[Ockham]

How can some of you claim that receiving Holy Communion while kneeling is factually more reverent than standing? A fact implies that the statement can not be disproven. In other words, you’re saying that every single person that is kneeling is more reverent than those that are standing.

How do you measure reverence? Is it in bytes or pounds or liters? Decibels?

An example of a fact: Jupiter is the largest known planet in the solar system.

An opinion: Those who kneel while receiving Holy Communion are more reverent than those that stand.

Kneeling doesn’t necessarily make one exercise reverence. Example, a person receiving standing may be exercising more internal reverance than another who is kneeling. However, kneeling is a more external gesture of reverance than standing. Gestures and externals are an important aspect of the Mass. To suggest otherwise indictates sitting is just as reverance as standing or kneeling. How about slouching? Why did Jesus Christ get on His knees and pray? Why does the Bible tells us to likewise?

We used to think planet Earth was flat - factually. The only absolute truth is Christ.

 

[damooster]

Well…yes…it’s in the (current) GIRM, but it wasn’t always. Why was it changed. Rather than incessantly refrain “it’s in the GIRM” it would be nice if this discussion could delve deeper into the reasons it was for centuries and suddenly removed in the “spirit of Vatican II”. Otherwise, when the GIRM is hopefully corrected, I assume none of you will object.

So, in other words, you don’t appreciate the GIRM in its current state, yet want people to “not object” if it is changed in a manner that supports your position?

 

[Layman]

So, in other words, you don’t appreciate the GIRM in its current state, yet want people to “not object” if it is changed in a manner that supports your position?

Well, let’s entertain that notion. The GIRM gets changed to ‘No CITH’. Now, complete the following sentence as briefly as possible:

“I want Communion in the hand to be restored because …” and then list some personal or spiritual benefit for needing such.

 

[Ockham]

So, in other words, you don’t appreciate the GIRM in its current state, yet want people to “not object” if it is changed in a manner that supports your position?

Let’s try this: you answer my questions then I’ll answer yours. Ok?

 

[damooster]

Well, let’s entertain that notion. The GIRM gets changed to ‘No CITH’. Now, complete the following sentence as briefly as possible:

“I want Communion in the hand to be restored because …” and then list some personal or spiritual benefit for needing such.

Hey, I personally receive Holy Communion on the tongue. But I also recognize that Catholics (in countries where it’s allowed) are allowed to receive in the hand. My whole point is that if these Catholics want to use an option that is available to them, you, me, nor anyone else should challenge or question their wanting to do so.

 

[damooster]

Let’s try this: you answer my questions then I’ll answer yours. Ok?

I don’t remember seeing a question in the post I quoted. Usually questions end in a question mark.

 

[CradleCath]

Well, that’s only his personal opinion. It’s not what the Church as a whole teaches. Perhaps he holds this opinion because of teaching in his childhood, perhaps in reaction to a particular problem he’s seen in his diocese. But it still remains only his opinion.

Actually it is!! We receive the Eucharist by our own hand, because we were given an indult to do so. Indult:
**Indults are general faculties, granted by the Holy See to bishops and others, of doing something not permitted by the common law. **

Oddly enough, this Sunday notices were up in our church with a directive from OUR Archbishop,headed ‘Update on Swine Flu’, saying that communion on the tongue ‘is to be strongly discouraged’.

 

[VivienneJ]

Read “Communion in the Hand” and “Communion Posture.”
I know Mother Teresa said: “Wherever I go in the whole world, the thing that makes me the saddest is watching people receive Communion in the hand.” Others have made similar statements.

I have seen this quote before, given as a reason why everyone should receive on their tongues, regardless of indults granted, local custom, or any other reason.

Did Mother Teresa really say that?

It has always seemed to me a strange thing that this was the thing that made her the saddest out of all the sad, sad sights she saw.

I looked up this quote the other day, here
motherteresa.org/08_info/ReceivingC.html

 

[Layman]

Hey, I personally receive Holy Communion on the tongue. But I also recognize that Catholics (in countries where it’s allowed) are allowed to receive in the hand. My whole point is that if these Catholics want to use an option that is available to them, you, me, nor anyone else should challenge or question their wanting to do so.

Sure I can.

Changing a Roman Catholic diocese over to this practice for reasons of fashion(?) makes no sense. It robs people of a chance to express humility and reverence before the Real Presence and facilitates sacrilege.

Tell me how, if you were in a diocese that used COTT, kneeling, from a priest, one could justify switching to CITH, standing, from a laywoman?

 

[estesbob]

Sure I can.

Changing a Roman Catholic diocese over to this practice for reasons of fashion(?) makes no sense. It robs people of a chance to express humility and reverence before the Real Presence and facilitates sacrilege.

Tell me how, if you were in a diocese that used COTT, kneeling, from a priest, one could justify switching to CITH, standing, from a laywoman?

They can easily jusify it becuase the Church allows it.

 

[tweetymom]

Br. JR.You are always so right and gracious. I appreciate your posts. I am a Minister of Communion at my Church and 97% of the people take Communion on their hand. I personally have never seen anyone grab the Host from me. Everyone does it respectful. I for one do not like giving the Host on the tongue, I do not because most people are not careful with their salivia and I do not like that.

What I see here is a fine job of splitting hairs. Take Communion the way you want and don’t worry how others do. In Christs love

 

[diggerdomer]

Which insults me because I only receive the Host and I know that I am fully receiving the Body and Blood in the Host… and I would rather not allow the Precious Blood of my Lord to fall from my lip onto the ground (which happened to me quite often when I used to receive from the Chalice)…

to say that receiving from the Chalice is a “more full experience” is like saying that I do not have as full of an experience… what about those who are allergic to the wine? are they doomed to never have a “more full experience”?

The Church does not of course intend to insult you. You misunderstand if you think She does.Read the GIRM para 281 ff.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html

 

[VivienneJ]

Br. JR.You are always so right and gracious. I appreciate your posts. I am a Minister of Communion at my Church and 97% of the people take Communion on their hand. I personally have never seen anyone grab the Host from me. Everyone does it respectful. I for one do not like giving the Host on the tongue, I do not because most people are not careful with their salivia and I do not like that.

What I see here is a fine job of splitting hairs. Take Communion the way you want and don’t worry how others do. In Christs love

I must second your praise of Br. JR, Tweetymom. You are right too, as in any other thrread that I have read on receiving Communion, it ends up with the same splitting of hairs. I receive in my hand, I find that form of reception more respectful for me, at my church I am in the minority. I have received on the tongue, *I did not feel *properly respectful when I did. However, I do not see any difference in respect shown by those receiving on the tongue or in the hand. (Should the indult be revoked I would have to work on my respect issue, but since I have the option, I can work on my many other failings instead.)

It is very rare that someone receives Communion on the palm without grabbing the Host. Our Lord is placed onto their left hand, and they grab Him with their right hand. They take the Lord and place Him in their own mouths… this is opposed to how some will extend their tongue to RECEIVE the Lord. The Lord will come to them through the hand of the priest offering the Host in place of Christ on earth (more fully through Christ working through the priest), and they will accept Him by allowing Christ to come to them and to enter unto their tongue that He may enter under the roof… of their mouth. Others will merely grab the Host and place the Host into their own mouth (as if, by some merit of their own, they deserve to receive Christ, they have a right to taking our Lord and placing Him into their own bodies.

Truevaticanii, I find your words most insulting. In all my years of receiving Our Lord, I have never grabbed Him. But rather done as you say in your next sentence, I place Him in my mouth, with great reverence and gratitude.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

One thing I want to point out about reception of the Eucharist by the hand.

I know some people like to point out the Eastern Catholic Churches, particularly the Byzantine Churches, that reception of the Eucharist is on the tongue only. This is due to the fact that the Eucharist is administered by intinction.

The Deacon, who in the Byzantine Churches is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, receives the Eucharist by the hand.

 

[estesbob]

It is very rare that someone receives Communion on the palm without grabbing the Host. Our Lord is placed onto their left hand, and they grab Him with their right hand. They take the Lord and place Him in their own mouths… this is opposed to how some will extend their tongue to RECEIVE the Lord. The Lord will come to them through the hand of the priest offering the Host in place of Christ on earth (more fully through Christ working through the priest), and they will accept Him by allowing Christ to come to them and to enter unto their tongue that He may enter under the roof… of their mouth. Others will merely grab the Host and place the Host into their own mouth (as if, by some merit of their own, they deserve to receive Christ, they have a right to taking our Lord and placing Him into their own bodies.

And, I never endorsed someone biting down on the host or something… I endorsed reception on the tongue to protect the sacred body of Our Lord.

I will have to admit that I am not enough of a thologian to figure out how I should do many things. I depend on my Church for guidance. My Church says it is proper for me to either recieve communion on the tongue or in the hand. For the life of me i can not understand why there is any dispute.

I have not, BTW, ever grabbed the host or ever seen anyone do so. If one dos that it is a liturgical abuse(we are not allowed to self commionicate) and they should be instructed on the proper way to recieve.

 

[truevaticanii]

You must also remember that there are concordats between the Holy See and the Uniat Churches. Some of these concordats maintain a policy of non intervention on the part of Rome in matters of tradition and discipline. The Holy See is not about to violate those concordats. We cannot instigate such a breech.

You and I cannot run the Church. We have to step back and let the Holy See do what it thinks is best. Thus far, every document and every law that comes out of Rome regarding the Eastern Catholics and the Uniat Churches is on of non intervention on these matters. We promised to respect their autonomy when these concordats were signed.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I didn’t say that we should force this upon them… I’m not recommending anything like when the West shoved Westernism down the throats of the East during the East-West Schism resulting in much anger from the East… we don’t need anything like that to occur.

And, what I was suggesting is that the Pope sit down with the Eastern Rites and discuss the possibility of them changing the way they receive Holy Communion… And I said that I would be shocked if any Metropalitan Archeparch, Archeparch, Eparch, etc. would object to that. Many Eastern Rites have already changed their rubrics to be “aligned more with Vatican II” and others to be “more traditional”, so it’s not like they cannot ever change them. I was saying that if the Pope presented the case for Communion on thetongue and ho it would protect the Hosts (from particles falling to the ground), their heirarchy would not oppose such a thing because they love Jesus and His presense in the Eucharist. And, they would not want to allow His Sacred Body to fall all over the ground. No, I cannot force the Pope to do that or something… but I am just saying that if that did happen one day… what a joyous day that would be… to protect the Holy Eucharist, which I adore so much… the Eucharist is the path to reconversion every day… just read from Blessed Imelda Lambertini, St. John Bosco, St. John Chrysostom, St. Justin the Martyr, St. Pius X, etc.

Pax Domini tecum.

 

[truevaticanii]

It amazes me that you can refer to the GIRM to prove your point, yet ignore the fact that the GIRM also says that Holy Communion can be received by either on the hand or on the tongue, and that the proper posture for receiving is standing.

I am not really relying on the GIRM as a great source of proof… the GIRM will be changed probably by 2011 as far as translations go… the GIRM is not infallible, it is merely a Discipline that can be changed as the Church sees it suitable. But, as it is not fallible, they could have us burn he pews in the GIRM if the system was corrupt enough. But, luckily I don’t think tha will ever happen…

I am more concerned with the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue than with EMHCs at this time (though, I must detest to the constant abuses… EMHCs are not supposed to be used at every Mass for whatever reason… they are only to be used when there are not enough priests and such… this is according to the GIRM so to do it any other way would be a liturgical abuse)… and I am not stating that to further discuss it here… I am only stating that because my opinion of this seems to be the minority in the church amongst the layity.

 

[truevaticanii]

Kneeling doesn’t necessarily make one exercise reverence. Example, a person receiving standing may be exercising more internal reverance than another who is kneeling. However, kneeling is a more external gesture of reverance than standing. Gestures and externals are an important aspect of the Mass. To suggest otherwise indictates sitting is just as reverance as standing or kneeling. How about slouching? Why did Jesus Christ get on His knees and pray? Why does the Bible tells us to likewise?

We used to think planet Earth was flat - factually. The only absolute truth is Christ.

And perhaps if people did kneel for Communion… a Protestant might walk into the Church and see these people on their knees to receive this “piece of bread” and wonder what is going on… they would later discover why they were on their knees… because that was NOT bread… that IS JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD, AND OUR GOD! If Jesus Christ came before you right now would you not fall to your face? would you not at least kneel? would you not crawl to Him and kiss His Holy feet? If you would not, then perhaps you should read about St. Mary Magdalene.

Pax Domini tecum.

 

[truevaticanii]

Br. JR.You are always so right and gracious. I appreciate your posts. I am a Minister of Communion at my Church and 97% of the people take Communion on their hand. I personally have never seen anyone grab the Host from me. Everyone does it respectful. I for one do not like giving the Host on the tongue, I do not because most people are not careful with their salivia and I do not like that.

What I see here is a fine job of splitting hairs. Take Communion the way you want and don’t worry how others do. In Christs love

My friend, the question is not “would Jesus really care if I receive on tha hand or on the tongue?” just as it is not “would Jesus really care if I went to Mass wearing overalls and a t-shirt or the clothes of a king?”

The question is, “What is the greatest way for my to glorify my Lord? What greater things can I wear in His presense? What greater way can I reverence Him?” No, some peoplecannot afford the fanciest clothing, but when possible… they wear the nicest clothes that they have whether that be a Walmart uniform or some rags they sewed together out on the street.

I don’t *think * you fully understand what I mean about the reception of Holy Communion on the hand…

when you receive on the hand, you take the Lord into your own hands and choose whether to place Him in your mouth, on the ground, put Him in your pocket to receive when you feel like it, etc. But, when you receive on the tongue, Jesus offers Himself to you, you accept, and He comes and enters under your roof… you do not force Him to enter under your roof by bringing Him under the roof… of your mouth with your hands, you merely accept His offer, reach out with your tongue and allow Him to come to you… as He wants it to be… we cannot reach out and grab grace, we can only accept grace when it is offered to us, and Jesus will bring us that grace… the Eucharist does bring grace, so we receive on the tongue to demonstrait what cannot be seen (just as we use water in baptism, oil in confirmation (to be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, a.k.a. Holy Ghost). By receiving on the tongue, we show how we receive grace from Communion… we receive grace by the grace of God, we do not receive grace because we got out of the pews. We do what we do at Mass to demonstrate what is going on in the Mystery of the Mass… that which we cannot see. This is why I would really like to have more people receive on the tongue because it is a very CATHOLIC thing to do (to use “stuff” to represent what is going on in the Mystery that we cannot see with our eyes).

Pax Domini tecum.

 

[truevaticanii]

I must second your praise of Br. JR, Tweetymom. You are right too, as in any other thrread that I have read on receiving Communion, it ends up with the same splitting of hairs. I receive in my hand, I find that form of reception more respectful for me, at my church I am in the minority. I have received on the tongue, *I did not feel *properly respectful when I did. However, I do not see any difference in respect shown by those receiving on the tongue or in the hand. (Should the indult be revoked I would have to work on my respect issue, but since I have the option, I can work on my many other failings instead.)

Truevaticanii, I find your words most insulting. In all my years of receiving Our Lord, I have never grabbed Him. But rather done as you say in your next sentence, I place Him in my mouth, with great reverence and gratitude.

Again, I dont THINK you understood what I mean… read my reply to tweetymom.