Time to end communion on the tougue

[MDK]

Indeed, as were mine:shrug:

I’d say yours were more appropriate, poignant and wise.

 

[Iamnotafraid]

Isn’t it time the church does away with the unsanitary practice of placing the communion host directly on the recipients tongue.

I don’t blame that priest for having a towel handy, if he were smart, he’d have it soaked in anti-bacterial gel.

discovermagazine.com/2005/oct/the-biology-of-saliva
“The mouth is a perfect environment for growing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It’s warm and dark, food goes in there several times a day, and there are lots of little nooks and crannies where food can get caught,” says dentist and oral microbiologist Donna Mager of the Forsyth Institute, ’

Ewwwwwwwww

 

[Iamnotafraid]

Well, since our Pope prefers that his flock use reception of Holy Communion on the tongue and since he is a very intelligent, logical and educated man (and I doubt very strongly that the germ theory got past him in all of his education), it doesn’t seem to be something I should worry about.

I wish a fundamentalist could have seen a Christian accepting germ theory, as they don’t accept the theory of evolution!

 

[LDNCatholic]

At every church I Have attended, the Eucharistic Ministers sit in the pews. They participate in the “shaking hands” ritual (contamination) with other others attending mass. The priest usually participates in shaking hands (contamination) with lectors or alter servers. There is no evidence visually or otherwise to suggest that anyone of these people who will distribute communion wash their hands before doing so.

Some current practices now employed in the liturgy of the mass are health risks. It would be interesting to have swabs taken from the fingers of the priest and Eucharistic ministers. The culture results could be interesting.

Sure why don’t we just not go to Mass at all? I mean, people are talking while praying, and no doubt expelling airborne bacteria into the environment.

Why don’t we just never leave our houses and stay locked up in sterile bubbles forever?

I remember reading in an article at university that it is exactly this reasoning that has lead to the increase in children who are allergic to everything.

 

[Iamnotafraid]

Sure why don’t we just not go to Mass at all?

Your gettin’ me all excited!

 

[Not_a_Die_Hard]

Hey, I was just trying to help instead of giving you the same lines that everyone was going to post. There are at least two of these a week. Since you were new, I thought it might help to know that you can search for all of the others.

And no, there aren’t many here that are going to agree with you.

Thank you.

I am glad there are others who observe that there are questionable liturgical practices included in the mass, that may not be in their best interest.

 

[MDK]

Thank you.

I am glad there are others who observe that there are questionable liturgical practices included in the mass, that may not be in their best interest.

There is arrogance by those who think they know more than God. If you take a look at the Book of Revelation, you will see the mass. The mass is the lamb’s supper. There are no questionable liturgical practices at mass, unless you mean the ones that are done in opposition to the proper mass, by a priest or lay person… like holding hands during Our Father, considered a liturgical abuse by adding something to the mass.

The true Catholic teachings are indeed the most helpful, and everyone who likes to call themselves a Catholic should promote these. If we don’t, then we’ve created our own Catechism, and are less of a Catholic.

One can be identified with as a certain thing in as much as he or she shares those characteristics. I could call myself a school bus, but people would quickly see that I didn’t have tires, a chassis like one, nor an engine…, and would quickly find out that this would be a false claim. With Catholicism, it takes a little more study, because these characteristics are not obviously physical. For instance, have we been baptized, had first Communion, Confirmation…, are we in communion with the Bishop of Rome… do we partake and believe in the Sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist? The more we believe, behave, and teach true Catholicism, the more we are a Catholic. The less we believe, do, and teach true Catholicism, the less we are a Catholic.

 

[nicolep]

Thank you.

I am glad there are others who observe that there are questionable liturgical practices included in the mass, that may not be in their best interest.

I was in no way agreeing with what you had to say, please don’t misunderstand. There are questionable liturgical practices that some include in Mass, but Holy Communion on the tongue is not one of them. Hand or tongue is currently allowed in the United States. Therefore, neither of them are questionable practices.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

There is arrogance by those who think they know more than God. If you take a look at the Book of Revelation, you will see the mass. The mass is the lamb’s supper. There are no questionable liturgical practices at mass, unless you mean the ones that are done in opposition to the proper mass, by a priest or lay person… like holding hands during Our Father, considered a liturgical abuse by adding something to the mass.

Actually we are not to be discussing lay gestures during Mass, but aside from that, only the priest can commit a liturgical abuse. The actions of the laity have no place in a discussion on liturgical abuse.

The true Catholic teachings are indeed the most helpful, and everyone who likes to call themselves a Catholic should promote these. If we don’t, then we’ve created our own Catechism, and are less of a Catholic

.

Catholic teaching has nothing to do with norms for the Mass or other liturgies.

One can be identified with as a certain thing in as much as he or she shares those characteristics. I could call myself a school bus, but people would quickly see that I didn’t have tires, a chassis like one, nor an engine…, and would quickly find out that this would be a false claim. With Catholicism, it takes a little more study, because these characteristics are not obviously physical. For instance, have we been baptized, had first Communion, Confirmation…, are we in communion with the Bishop of Rome… do we partake and believe in the Sacraments of reconciliation and Eucharist? The more we believe, behave, and teach true Catholicism, the more we are a Catholic. The less we believe, do, and teach true Catholicism, the less we are a Catholic.

Definitely off topic. As was said, we have the option of Communion on the tongue or in the hand. True most have a preference, and like to state their reasons for their preference, but it should be done as a charitable discussion, without swipes at those of a different opinion.

Lux

 

[Famule]

Isn’t it time the church does away with the unsanitary practice of placing the communion host directly on the recipients tongue. I have spoken with several priests and they all prefer to place the communion host in the recipients hands. One of those priests has recently begun draping a cloth over his left arm and is seen frequently wiping his fingers on the cloth during distribution of communion. This indicates one thing, his fingers have come in contact with saliva. In the health field, this would be classified as “contamination”.

From a pure health standpoint, placing the host in the hands would be prophylactic in avoiding the transfer of viruses and bacteria that may be contained in saliva.

There is a simple remedy to this very real health threat. All the church needs to do is proclaim that as of a predetermined date the communion host will be placed in the recipients hands only.

Of course another problem exists with the Eucharistic Ministers. They need to cleanse their hands before they distribute communion.

The emphasis should be on reverence for God and not on us and our comfort. Christ was not comfortable as he dragged the cross to Calvary.

 

[luminoushope]

We are only discussing about receiving the Body of Christ. What about the Blood of Christ? if we are worried about the contamination as the OP mentioned, shouldn’t the OP also be worried about drinking His Blood - out of the same chalice – or we might have to have some sort of “lunch kit” for each parishioner.

That’s pretty much how the evangelicals do it. The bread [crackers] is passed and each person picks it up. Then a tray containing teeny weeny plastic cups of grape juice is passed. Each person picks up theirs. How do we think we would like that? I was an evangelical for 27 years. I had several pastors tell me that communion made them “uncomfortable”–!!! At the church I attended before I came to the Catholic church, in 2008 communion was offered exactly twice. That’s what they thought of Our Lord’s body and blood given for us.

 

[MDK]

Actually we are not to be discussing lay gestures during Mass, but aside from that, only the priest can commit a liturgical abuse. The actions of the laity have no place in a discussion on liturgical abuse.

.

Catholic teaching has nothing to do with norms for the Mass or other liturgies.

Definitely off topic. As was said, we have the option of Communion on the tongue or in the hand. True most have a preference, and like to state their reasons for their preference, but it should be done as a charitable discussion, without swipes at those of a different opinion.

Lux

It is entirely appropriate, even if you lack the understanding, or willingness to understand what it means. Like the Protestants who dissect the whole, taking pieces out of context to fit their own misplaced notions, you have followed suit.

My post was written so that those who wanted to understand could, and those who didn’t desire to understand would not. You’ve made your position evident in dissecting instead of taking as a whole, and giving it your own meaning which is completely different than the author. In misinterpreting (badly), you have also taken it upon yourself to bear false witness against the author, which stems from acting Protestant and arrogantly interpreting as one wishes, instead of how it was meant. Please think and act as a Catholic, and please give it another try. I’ll give you a hint, you must take it as a whole, and put your thinking cap on. One must be humble to understand, as those who fancy themselves as superior will not understand.

 

[MDK]

That’s pretty much how the evangelicals do it. The bread [crackers] is passed and each person picks it up. Then a tray containing teeny weeny plastic cups of grape juice is passed. Each person picks up theirs. How do we think we would like that? I was an evangelical for 27 years. I had several pastors tell me that communion made them “uncomfortable”–!!! At the church I attended before I came to the Catholic church, in 2008 communion was offered exactly twice. That’s what they thought of Our Lord’s body and blood given for us.

As you have identified, the OP is not well thought out, is narrow in scope missing critical elements, and is a situation where the learning would have been more appropriate than presenting as high minded simply what one doesn’t know. It’s important to be humble and ask questions when needed, and approach the Catholic faith (God’s Church) with reverence, and the Magisterium with respect instead of with arrogance.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

It is entirely appropriate, even if you lack the understanding, or willingness to understand what it means. Like the Protestants who dissect and take out of context to fit their own definition, you have followed suit.

My post was written so that those who wanted to understand could, and those who didn’t desire to understand would not. You’ve made your position evident in dissecting instead of taking as a whole, and giving it your own meaning which is completely different than the author. Please think and act as a Catholic, and please give it another try. I’ll give you a hint, you must take it as a whole, and put your thinking cap on.

Actually it is not, and insults do not help the discussion. If you are willing to check the notices, there is a moratorium on discussing lay gestures.

I am VERY Catholic, and I do realize that there are options, many of which I do not choose to use, but I will not act like my opinion is law. Liturgical norms are not part of
Catholic teaching, which cannot change. They are part of the disciplines, which can change, as we have seen.

You will do well to act as a Catholic Christian, with or without your thinking cap, which needs a little expansion.

Lux

 

[MDK]

Actually it is not, and insults do not help the discussion. If you are willing to check the notices, there is a moratorium on discussing lay gestures.

I am VERY Catholic, and I do realize that there are options, many of which I do not choose to use, but I will not act like my opinion is law. Liturgical norms are not part of
Catholic teaching, which cannot change. They are part of the disciplines, which can change, as we have seen.

You will do well to act as a Catholic Christian, with or without your thinking cap, which needs a little expansion.

Lux

No one is insulting. Quite the opposite, in identifying the truth one can have an honest discussion. Unless charity is at the service of the truth, it is not charity but falsely presented with other desires. Charity must be at the service of truth. I have spoken truthfully. I believe you have been honest, but your posts have not followed the truth… Please join me.

What you call yourself, and believe yourself to be, is identified by fruits as well. You interpreted my post as a Protestant interprets the Sacred Scriptures. How is that Catholic? You may be in other areas, and I hope you are.

I still see that you didn’t then, and still don’t actually understood what my post meant.

Here is a hint, since you discuss the lay gestures as an example… this was meant to provide an example of a legitimate liturgical abuse, not to discuss this liturgical abuse. I don’t see that you understood that.

The liturgy of the mass is definitely part of Catholic teaching. The priest is not to deviate from them.

Was there a mention of them not being able to change? The truthful answer is no, there was not.

If you do find a valid criticism of me that can help, I would be grateful. Thus far, however, false accusations are no legitimate substitute for the truth. Please raise your game a little and seek the higher ground. We would appreciate it greatly.