Why communion rails matter

[PaulinVA]

Cat:

Quote:

I absolutely do not believe this. Our bishops are among the most conservative and orthodox in the nation, and we don’t have abuses in our parishes. Our parishes routinely receive under both species.

I am in a very conservative diocese as well, and we always receive under both species.

However, i agree with all of the reasons in the linked Bishop’s letter. We use at least ten EMHC every Mass. We have three priests and two deacons - if they showed up for each Mass and we received only the Host we would not need the EMHC.

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[Aran_Houlihan]

The communion rail was a sign of the sacredness of the sanctuary–no one was permitted in the sanctuary except for the priest and servers.The communion on the tongue predisposes the nature of it and its sacredness. However, communion nin the hand should be cautioned if the priest is not watching the person consume it as he could put it in his pant pocket and bring it home, and the blessed Sacrament wont fall on the floor

 

[Diana_Catherine]

I stumbled across this excellent article about why communion rails and receiving on the tongue need to come back. (into the OF)…they are clearly still in the EF Mass…

Communion Rails

Excellent article. Thank you for sharing this. I would love to see the return of communion rails.

Your Bishop is allowed to set when this is allowed in his Diocese. If you want to see a good explanation of this, Bishop Morlino of the Diocese of Madison sent a good letter to his Priest’s which you may read here: madisondiocese.org/Portals/0/Communications/Press%20Releases/Liturgy%20follow-up%20from%20Pres.%20Assembly%20-%202%20.pdf

What an awesome bishop and his letter demonstrating his concern for his parishioners. He apparently is moving in ways to help them understand just what is happening when they take the host and just who they are receiving.

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

I like the white marble alter rails

 

[Cat]

I am in a very conservative diocese as well, and we always receive under both species.

However, i agree with all of the reasons in the linked Bishop’s letter. We use at least ten EMHC every Mass. We have three priests and two deacons - if they showed up for each Mass and we received only the Host we would not need the EMHC.

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We have three priests and three deacons, too. But we also have 9 Masses (2 Sat vigil, 7 Sunday, including 6 back-to-back on Sunday morning). I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect all the priests and deacons to show up at every Mass. They need to rest a little between Masses. Two of our deacons are quite elderly and wouldn’t be able to physically handle being at so many Masses.

I sometimes play piano at two Masses in a row, and I find that tiring, and I don’t have to stand up or say anything. I think it must be hard on the priests to do so many Masses, and stand, bow, kneel, genuflect, and of course, talk out loud, plus greet the congregation after the Masses.

 

[PaulinVA]

Cat:

Quote:

We have three priests and three deacons, too. But we also have 9 Masses (2 Sat vigil, 7 Sunday, including 6 back-to-back on Sunday morning). I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect all the priests and deacons to show up at every Mass. They need to rest a little between Masses. Two of our deacons are quite elderly and wouldn’t be able to physically handle being at so many Masses.

I remember as a child that all of the priests would walk over from the rectory to distribute Holy Communion at every Mass. What has changed?

I think the altar railings facilitated two or three priests efficiently distributing Communion to a large number of people.

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[Cat]

I remember as a child that all of the priests would walk over from the rectory to distribute Holy Communion at every Mass. What has changed?

I think the altar railings facilitated two or three priests efficiently distributing Communion to a large number of people.

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There’s no rectory. The priests live in an apartment, and it’s not really within walking distance, especially in the winter.

Honestly, shouldn’t we trust the priests and bishops on this issue? If we don’t think they have the wisdom to know and honor their own limits when it comes to Masses, then why do we think they have the wisdom to instruct us on how to get to heaven or tell us how to conduct our sex lives?

One bishop has written a paper expressing his opinion about communion rails. All the other bishops have not joined in and written their own papers supporting what this bishop has written. So are we all willing to jump on one bishop’s bandwagon and think poorly of all the other bishops?

I realize that sometimes, one lone voice is the “correct” voice. But in this case, the bishops who allow EMsHC and Holy Communion without an altar rail are not doing anything “incorrect.” They are operating within the practical guidelines of Holy Mother Church.

 

[PaulinVA]

I realize that sometimes, one lone voice is the “correct” voice. But in this case, the bishops who allow EMsHC and Holy Communion without an altar rail are not doing anything “incorrect.” They are operating within the practical guidelines of Holy Mother Church.

Actually, that’s the point of the Bishop’s letter to his priests. They *are not *following the guidelines of the Church. The guidelines state that EMHC should be used sparingly and only when ordinary ministers are not available. Sitting at home resting does not render one “not available” on a Sunday, the Church’s day of celebration.

The practical guidelines (the GIRM) state that Communion under both species should not occur every Sunday. Yet, in my parish it does.

So, every Sunday, we have a dozen EMHC walk up to the altar and perform the “Ritual of the Purell” as they all squirt hand sanitizer on their hands and rub them together, and then later fan out to distribute Communion at a breakneck speed so we can get it done quickly.

This is only my parish, but I am so sick of it. I have to follow every rule, every burden they lay on my back., and they do not follow their own rules.

(Wow, got a little personal there. Sorry )

 

[maryjk]

I remember as a child that all of the priests would walk over from the rectory to distribute Holy Communion at every Mass. What has changed?

I think the altar railings facilitated two or three priests efficiently distributing Communion to a large number of people.

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Until recently, there weren’t priests at the rectory, when our pastor was at the church. We only had one priest. He held 4 Masses on Sunday.

We recently were assigned an associate pastor. Three priests would be a dream.

(We have 1,000 families and 2,000 students that are members of our parish.)

 

[Megan7]

I stumbled across this excellent article about why communion rails and receiving on the tongue need to come back. (into the OF)…they are clearly still in the EF Mass…

Communion Rails

 

[Megan7]

The reason it is only offered under ONE species is most places is due to an error that cropped up during the protestant reformation. This was the belief that you were not receiving as much “jesus” or the whole sacrament unless you received under both species. To counter this error the precious blood was not routinely given unless a person had a physical ailment that precluded them from receiving the precious body.

The indult to distribute under both kinds in the United States expired over a decade ago. It is still done in many places in defiance or ignorance of the expiration of the indult. Today the precious blood is only to be distributed under rare and unique circumstances. You should NOT see it at every Sunday Mass. If you do see it every week, then know that it is an abuse and not the norm.

Your Bishop is allowed to set when this is allowed in his Diocese. If you want to see a good explanation of this, Bishop Morlino of the Diocese of Madison sent a good letter to his Priest’s which you may read here: madisondiocese.org/Portals/0/Communications/Press%20Releases/Liturgy%20follow-up%20from%20Pres.%20Assembly%20-%202%20.pdf

Fr. Z. further expanded on this topic on his blog here: wdtprs.com/blog/2011/10/communion-under-both-kinds-bp-morlino-explains-the-situation-to-his-priests/

Thanks

 

[andrewstx]

I am struck by the conformity displayed in this thread. If one showed up at a mass said by the Holy Father and was unable to kneel would they be deinied Holy Communion?

We are not all the same, and many cannot kneel. I personally am unable to kneel genuflect, or make prostrations.

I really don’t mean to complain, but please folks, have a bit of mercy for the infirm.

 

[YoungTradCath]

I am struck by the conformity displayed in this thread. If one showed up at a mass said by the Holy Father and was unable to kneel would they be deinied Holy Communion?

We are not all the same, and many cannot kneel. I personally am unable to kneel genuflect, or make prostrations.

I really don’t mean to complain, but please folks, have a bit of mercy for the infirm.

…

It is always understood that for people who can’t kneel, they don’t have to.

 

[Faithdancer]

Yes indeed, bring back the rails everywhere! Priests quickly become efficient at working with them, it eliminates the abuse of underdressed EMHC’s, and as Cardinal Arinze says, if we believe we are in the presence of God, why wouldn’t we kneel? Why wouldn’t we crawl??!

 

[maryjk]

Yes indeed, bring back the rails everywhere! Priests quickly become efficient at working with them, it eliminates the abuse of underdressed EMHC’s, and as Cardinal Arinze says, if we believe we are in the presence of God, why wouldn’t we kneel? Why wouldn’t we crawl??!

So you crawl?

Because from what you said, if you don’t crawl, you don’t believe. Right?

(Another one that would need 4 strong men to get me back up And no, I am not elderly, nor old, nor do I look sickly.)

 

[PaulinVA]

Y… and as Cardinal Arinze says, if we believe we are in the presence of God, why wouldn’t we kneel? Why wouldn’t we crawl??!

Well, some can’t kneel or crawl, BUT, I’m not sure that a break-neck speed procession up to the EMHC, slowing slightly to receive and then taking five steps while consuming the Host is proper, either.

For those who remember the railing, one would process up to the front, and then wait for a space to become free at the railing. One would kneel, and then have several minutes to praqy/prepare before the priest would come by and you would receive. Then, you could pause for a few seconds (or however long) and slowly get up and return to your pew.

It was reverent, it was efficient, and it was much more conducive to realizing exactly who we were receiving.

 

[TimothyH]

Yes indeed, bring back the rails everywhere! Priests quickly become efficient at working with them, it eliminates the abuse of underdressed EMHC’s, and as Cardinal Arinze says, if we believe we are in the presence of God, why wouldn’t we kneel? Why wouldn’t we crawl??!

I don’t crawl because I was made in the image of God and that gives me infinite dignity.

I don’t crawl because God became like me to die for me - me personally - and that gives me infinite value.

I kneel in the presence of my King but there are times when I stand erect with great pride, knowing that I am an adopted son of the Father, a brother of Christ who came so that I could be incorporated into his body and share in his divine life.

I have been confirmed, and my confirmation was my personal participation in Pentacost. Before Pentacost the disciples were locked in the upper room out of fear. After Pentacost the disciples were not afraid to speak out boldly, not even afraid of dying. In my anointing at Confirmation, I have recieved that same spirt of boldness and courage. That’s why I stand erect.

***You are so conscious of your misery that you acknowledge yourself unworthy to be heard by God. But, what about the merits of Mary? And the wounds of your Lord? And… are you not a son of God?

Besides, he listens to you quoniam bonus… because he is good, because his mercy endures for ever.**

• St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way 93*

The perception of the Catholic Church as a Church of rules and pennance and self flagelation is probably the single thing which keeps people away from the Catholic Church more than anything else. There is supposed to be great joy in being a Christian!

I try to always keep in mind that God is not a tyrant. I leave that for the Islamists. God is my Father, and he loves me, and as long as I try my best, frequent the sacraments and pray, and as long as I am faithful in small matters, he will slowly sanctify me, slowly draw me into the divine life of his son, and will take care of the big stuff according to his plan which is to lead me to heaven to be eternally happy with him.

Whether or not a Church has commion rails won’t chage that in the slightest.

-Tim-

 

[TimothyH]

I don’t crawl because I was made in the image of God and that gives me infinite dignity.

I don’t crawl because God became like me to die for me - me personally - and that gives me infinite value.

I kneel in the presence of my King but there are times when I stand erect with great pride, knowing that I am an adopted son of the Father, a brother of Christ who came so that I could be incorporated into his body and share in his divine life.

I have been confirmed, and my confirmation was my personal participation in Pentacost. Before Pentacost the disciples were locked in the upper room out of fear. After Pentacost the disciples were not afraid to speak out boldly, not even afraid of dying. In my anointing at Confirmation, I have recieved that same spirt of boldness and courage. That’s why I stand erect.

***You are so conscious of your misery that you acknowledge yourself unworthy to be heard by God. But, what about the merits of Mary? And the wounds of your Lord? And… are you not a son of God?

Besides, he listens to you quoniam bonus… because he is good, because his mercy endures for ever.***

• St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way 93

The perception of the Catholic Church as a Church of rules and pennance and self flagelation is probably the single thing which keeps people away more than anything else. There is supposed to be great joy in being a Christian!

I try to always keep in mind that God is not a tyrant. I leave that for the Islamists. God is my Father, and he loves me, and as long as I try my best, frequent the sacraments and pray, and as long as I am faithful in small matters, he will slowly sanctify me, slowly draw me into the divine life of his son, and will take care of the big stuff according to his plan which is to lead me to heaven to be eternally happy with him.

Whether or not a Church has commion rails won’t chage that in the slightest.

-Tim-

 

[Windmill]

I don’t crawl because I was made in the image of God and that gives me infinite dignity.

I don’t crawl because God became like me to die for me - me personally - and that gives me infinite value.

I kneel in the presence of my King but there are times when I stand erect with great pride, knowing that I am an adopted son of the Father, a brother of Christ who came so that I could be incorporated into his body and share in his divine life.
-Tim-

What Church document states that we have infinite dignity as men? Being created “in the image of God” is not the same thing as being created “in the nature of God.” As far as penance, Our Lord himself said that we would do penance after he ascended into Heaven, because we still sin. We need penance to help conform us more closely to Christ precisely because we are not yet completed in our transformation into Christlike persons. We are not God. Therefore, we do penance. We are not infinitely dignified - only God is. We are reflections of that perfection, and we draw our limited dignity from his infinite dignity, but it is pride to say that we do not bow before the all-holy God because we are so dignified.

WRT the OP’s topic, if God can utterly humble Himself to assume the form of Bread and Wine for me to consume, then this poor sinner can kneel to receive Him. It’s the absolute *least *thing I could do to return the gesture.

 

[maryjk]

Well, some can’t kneel or crawl, BUT, I’m not sure that a break-neck speed procession up to the EMHC, slowing slightly to receive and then taking five steps while consuming the Host is proper, either.

For those who remember the railing, one would process up to the front, and then wait for a space to become free at the railing. One would kneel, and then have several minutes to praqy/prepare before the priest would come by and you would receive. Then, you could pause for a few seconds (or however long) and slowly get up and return to your pew.

It was reverent, it was efficient, and it was much more conducive to realizing exactly who we were receiving.

That may have been how it was, but is that how it would be?

I am too young to remember kneeling to receive. But I have received kneeling at a couple of different churches, including the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament near EWTN. Not one of those places received as you posted. At all of them, we got up by pews and knelt next to the person that had been sitting next to, Although some paused for a second or two, most got right back up and went back to their pew.

When I went, I didn’t see anywhere to stand to receive while standing. So I knelt. And although I am sure it looked like I was pausing, I was really trying to get myself back up.