St Thomas on Priest's consecrated hands?

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Hi,

Can someone help me?
St Thomas wrote
because out of reverence towards this sacrament, 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. Hence it is not lawful for anyone else to touch it except from necessity, for instance, if it were to fall upon the ground, or else in some other case of urgency.
Source This section is written in article 3

Why does the Church allow people to receive directly on their hands if nothing should touch the Host except for what’s consecrated?
 
Hi,

Can someone help me?
St Thomas wrote

Source This section is written in article 3

Why does the Church allow people to receive directly on their hands if nothing should touch the Host except for what’s consecrated?
First, the people are consecrated at baptism and confirmation/chrismation; second, the Church has determined this to be a legitimate option for the Latin Church, therefore any objection of past canonical impediments are dispensed. You don’t have to like it or do it yourself, but it’s an option for the Latin Church if the diocesan bishop doesn’t object.
 
Hi,

Can someone help me?
St Thomas wrote

Source This section is written in article 3

Why does the Church allow people to receive directly on their hands if nothing should touch the Host except for what’s consecrated?
Heck, in days past, laity could not even touch the mere vessels; one had to be a Subdeacon. If laity had to handle them (i.e. altar servers preparing them), they wore gloves.

It’s a discipline, not dogma. The Church can impose or relax as she sees fit.
 
Hi,

Can someone help me?
St Thomas wrote

Source This section is written in article 3

Why does the Church allow people to receive directly on their hands if nothing should touch the Host except for what’s consecrated?
Just because St Thomas said it, it doesn’t mean that the Church as declared his teachings as infallible.

We go by what the Church teaches, ultimately, and not what any particular saint said. His statements in and of themselves are his opinions, and not infallible
 
Just because St Thomas said it, it doesn’t mean that the Church as declared his teachings as infallible.

We go by what the Church teaches, ultimately, and not what any particular saint said. His statements in and of themselves are his opinions, and not infallible
This is true. It also is true that this saint is the most respected theologian outside the Bible. His opinions are not infallible, but very, strongly urged for our serious consideration.
 
OP if it bothers your conscious, you have the right to receive the Eucharist on the tongue. That is how we receive at my Eastern Catholic parish. Byzantine’s receive from a spoon, no handling there once the priest places it in the chalice.
 
This is true. It also is true that this saint is the most respected theologian outside the Bible. His opinions are not infallible, but very, strongly urged for our serious consideration.
No matter. The authority lies with the Church, not with St. Thomas. Where the Church has not ruled, St. Thomas’ opinions carry a LOT of weight. That’s why one I can easily say (especially in light of September 14th, just yesterday), that we worship the cross with the adoration of latria. That comes from St. Thomas, and the Church has not contradicted him on this question.

However, in the case of touching the Host, the Church trumps St. Thomas, simply because the Church sez so.
 
Hi,

Can someone help me?
St Thomas wrote

Source This section is written in article 3

Why does the Church allow people to receive directly on their hands if nothing should touch the Host except for what’s consecrated?
It seems St. Thomas is describing the discipline of the Church in his time and listing reasons for the discipline.
 
“Opinions” are not infallible, including the Pope’s. Opinions are just that, opinions. However, the Pope’s opinions should be considered with all due respect due to his office.
 
No matter. The authority lies with the Church, not with St. Thomas.
More specifically, with the bishops of one’s country. I believe there are still some countries where touching the Host by a layman isn’t allowed.

Or maybe not.

In any case, the approval was granted country by country.
 
More specifically, with the bishops of one’s country. I believe there are still some countries where touching the Host by a layman isn’t allowed.

Or maybe not.
Don’t know, don’t care.

The authority of any given Episcopal Conference comes from the Holy See. That still makes it “the Church.”
 
When my brother was ordained a priest back in the 1960’s, his chalice, a gift from the family, was on a display table at the reception. There was a sign next to it saying that no one except other priests were allowed to touch it, so please don’t touch.

At that time as well, altar boys were not allowed to touch or handle the sacred vessels.
 
This is true. It also is true that this saint is the most respected theologian outside the Bible. His opinions are not infallible, but very, strongly urged for our serious consideration.
Without going off on a tangent, and going back to the OP’s original question as to why the Church allows reception in the hand the answer remains.

Church teachings trump theologians. Any theologian.
 
No matter. The authority lies with the Church, not with St. Thomas. Where the Church has not ruled, St. Thomas’ opinions carry a LOT of weight. That’s why one I can easily say (especially in light of September 14th, just yesterday), that we worship the cross with the adoration of latria. That comes from St. Thomas, and the Church has not contradicted him on this question.

However, in the case of touching the Host, the Church trumps St. Thomas, simply because the Church sez so.
Exactly.

What the Church says trumps any theologian. Aquinas or anyone else.
 
Actually, wasn’t the Church allowing this come from a special dispensation?
 
It was an ancient tradition

Saint Cyril:

“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.” (Catechesis mystagogica V, xxi-xxii, Migne Patrologia Graeca 33)
 
So, are the priest’s hands still consecrated?
The priest’s hands are still consecrated in the Latin Rite, but they are not (and never have been) consecrated in the Byzantine Rite. I don’t know about other Eastern Rites.
 
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