Why Is CITH So Popular?

[John_oxios]

I’m just curious as to why it’s so popular.

Yes you have provided reasons why people receive CITH. But I still really don’t know why CITH is overwhelmingly chosen over COTT in most locations.

Hi Hotchkiss,
What the Latin Mass? or Communion on the tongue? If you ever sat back in a Latin Mass, and heard the hymns sung in the Latin is awesome. I was an altar boy in the Latin rite, and miss it, because I was taught what the Latin expressions and meaning are… today people who try the Latin Mass, don’t prepare to understand and grasp the latin before they go and it just seems foreign to them,

God bless,
John

 

[Cat]

Hi Cat,
Sorry can’t buy this either… At every wedding they sing the bride cuts the cake… and she then gives a piece to her spouse who is waiting with his mouth wide open and then he does the same to her.
hmmm. nobody complaining about ill manners,rudeness or anything else in fact it is celebrated.

Comparing hands folded head tilted back in reverence to a posture in a doctors office? I dunno. The Doctor is paid for his services… which if you don’t cooperate well he gets paid anyway… Sirach says, 38:1- 7 , “Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you and God has established his profession… from God the Doctor has his wisdom…his knowledge makes him distinguished…”
We do as the doctor says to maintain health and get better.

Jesus paid a debt for us he didn’t owe, he paid a debt for us we couldn’t possibly pay… **I think we could swallow our pride, and modestly receive by the tongue kneeling **without all the comparison to uncouth and inappropriate practice… because after all, Communion is a marriage, each and every time we receive we say ‘Yes’ to Jesus,

That is the major theme in the Bible, 'Nuptials, God and Man, Man and Woman.

and then again the Bible says,
Phl 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

We all (Catholics) bow our at the mention of his name, So when the minister/ Priest stands before us and offers us the Body and Blood of Christ which they hold in their hands before us Kneeling, bowing before we put our hand out or tongue before we say ‘amen’ (Let it be so) ought not feel demeaning in front of the Christ, priest, ministers or the congregation.

Besides since when has kissing been considered inappropriate between a married couple?

God bless, :highprayer:
    john

Now you’ve added kneeling.

You’re creating burdens that the Church does not ask of us here in the U.S.

I can’t kneel because of my feet and knees. The Church has always allowed people who can’t kneel to opt out of this.

I thought I made it clear that there are exceptions in the U.S. to the open mouth rule, but I guess my writing was vague. I’ll repeat, there are times when it’s appropriate to open the mouth wide and stick out the tongue. But for the most part, opening your mouth wide in front of someone else is not considered couth.

The kissing example is an interesting one. Yes, couples kiss in public, but usually discreetly, with closed mouths and no tongues. The type of kissing involving an open mouth or the tongue is usually reserved for more intimate moments only when a couple is alone. So it’s no wonder that we feel uncomfortable opening our mouth wide and “kissing” Jesus at Holy Communion. I’m sorry, but no way.

BTW, not at EVERY wedding does this cake-eating tradition happen. It didn’t happen at our wedding 30 years ago, and it didn’t happen at my daughters wedding in 2008.

And one more thing–I usually receive Holy Communion on my tongue, but I am considering going back to receiving on the hand. The more I get involved with these CAF discussions on Holy Communion, the more I realize that the main reason I receive Holy Communion on my tongue (since I’m not using crutches anymore) is because I fear the criticism and harsh judgment of traditionalist Catholics who might be sitting near enough to the front and who might be watching me. As an ex-Protestant, I am overly-aware of the need to avoid placing stumbling blocks in the way of others, and so I think my motives are partially good–I don’t want to offend traditionalist Catholics. But the motive of not wanting to be judged “irreverent” or “Protestant-acting” by them is not a good one. I really need to think about this more.

 

[Hotchkiss]

Hi Hotchkiss,
What the Latin Mass? or Communion on the tongue? If you ever sat back in a Latin Mass, and heard the hymns sung in the Latin is awesome. I was an altar boy in the Latin rite, and miss it, because I was taught what the Latin expressions and meaning are… today people who try the Latin Mass, don’t prepare to understand and grasp the latin before they go and it just seems foreign to them,

God bless,
John

The title of this thread is “Why Is CITH So Popular?” and I still wonder about that.

I attend the EF Mass on a regular basis. Sadly based on the (worldwide) numbers it’s not very popular at all…

 

[John_oxios]

Funny you should mention “kissing”. Pope Benedict XVI told the youngsters at World Youth Day that Jesus wishes “to kiss you” as they receive Holy Communion. It was quite an eyebrow-raiser.

Benedictal,
thanks for that note,
Christ, being human as well as Divine, knows us… and as a human knows our needs… Christ gives of Himself not only spiritually but physically, because as human he knows our need to touch and be touched, to hold and be held, to be one to be intimate.
Marriage is when two people become one flesh… in communion Jesus becomes one with us in an intimacy that is still and always be a mystery to us on this plain. Communion is nothing less or greater than we’ll ever know as Human.

God bless,
John

 

[benedictgal]

The title of this thread is “Why Is CITH So Popular?” and I still wonder about that.

I attend the EF Mass on a regular basis. Sadly based on the (worldwide) numbers it’s not very popular at all…

and your sources for this are?

It would be most helpful for us if you were to base your opinion on quantifiable and qualititative data other than making a blanket statement. If it were not “very popular” at all, why would Pope Benedict XVI have issued his MP on the matter?

 

[John_oxios]

Cat;6040898]
Now you’ve added kneeling.
You’re creating burdens that the Church does not ask of us here in the U.S.

I can’t kneel because of my feet and knees. The Church has always allowed people who can’t kneel to opt out of this.

Hi Cat,
C’mon the Church has always made exceptions for those who are unable to bend a knee or get out of a wheelchair or for that matter can’t make it to Mass as in the homebound and Hospitalized.

I thought I made it clear that there are exceptions in the U.S. to the open mouth rule, but I guess my writing was vague. I’ll repeat, there are times when it’s appropriate to open the mouth wide and stick out the tongue. But for the most part, opening your mouth wide in front of someone else is not considered couth.

Funny born in Manhattan, now 52, taught to Chew with my mouth closed, somehow some way I must have missed all those other rules when it came to Church behavior like don’t turn around, don’t read the misselete during the Readings or consecration, and don’t speak out loud so as to disturb those at Worship… 8 yrs of Catholic School, and those I swear those Nuns couldn’t give up an opportunity to correct/rebuke/ waack us when we stepped out of line… they must have forgotten that opening our mouths and placing our tongues out so we could receive Jesus… was anti american??

That’s pretty funny considering the Oldest Bias in these here United States is Anti-Catholicism, This country is so afraid of the Pope, it actually makes being a Catholic an excuse not to vote for one politically.

Cat, BTW, not at EVERY wedding does this cake-eating tradition happen. It didn’t happen at our wedding 30 years ago, and it didn’t happen at my daughters wedding in 2008.

Had it at mine and it was great!!

Cat, And one more thing–I usually receive Holy Communion on my tongue, but I am considering going back to receiving on the hand. The more I get involved with these CAF discussions on Holy Communion, the more I realize that the main reason I receive Holy Communion on my tongue (since I’m not using crutches anymore) is because I fear the criticism and harsh judgment of traditionalist Catholics who might be sitting near enough to the front and who might be watching me. As an ex-Protestant, I am overly-aware of the need to avoid placing stumbling blocks in the way of others, and so I think my motives are partially good–I don’t want to offend traditionalist Catholics. But the motive of not wanting to be judged “irreverent” or “Protestant-acting” by them is not a good one. I really need to think about this more.

You can't worry about pleasing others when it comes to God, He doesn't like people pleasers.. When we know a truth, it only hurts us not to cooperate in it, after all all truth is revealed to us by God through the Holy Spirit.. not acting in accordance is... disobedience.

God bless,
John

 

[John_oxios]

Originally Posted by Hotchkiss
The title of this thread is “Why Is CITH So Popular?” and I still wonder about that.

I attend the EF Mass on a regular basis. Sadly based on the (worldwide) numbers it’s not very popular at all…

and your sources for this are?

It would be most helpful for us if you were to base your opinion on quantifiable and qualititative data other than making a blanket statement. If it were not “very popular” at all, why would Pope Benedict XVI have issued his MP on the matter?

Hi,

Statistics…gotta love’m pick 500 people with various views choose what ever number you like and you can say 4 out 5 people like… rather… etc etc… you could even use 500 non Catholics who would know?? Sounds good but is the TRUTH?

Without references it is opinion, or mostly likely gossip… I heard it from this guy who heard it from that guy etc…

At least I use Scripture and sound Catholic teachings with references in addition to my experience in and outside the Church, somebody earlier in this thread accused me of knowing everything? No one knows everything that’s why the Church calls them Mysteries of God, if they were explainable they wouldn’t be called mysteries at all.

I’m not up on theses abbreviations EF Mass?

God bless, :highprayer:
  John

 

[pnewton]

… I think we could swallow our pride, and modestly receive by the tongue kneeling without all the comparison to uncouth and inappropriate practice…

I am sure we would, if that is what the Church told us to do. I would ask instead that we need to swallow our pride and stop trying to play Mother Church to each other. We are lay people, for goodness sakes. Let us receive communion as allowed and as we see fit, and stop doggin on others here who see thing differently.

Again, this thread is about the popularity of CITH, not the inferiority of it, kneeling, consecrated hands, etc.

 

[otjm]

and your sources for this are?

It would be most helpful for us if you were to base your opinion on quantifiable and qualititative data other than making a blanket statement. If it were not “very popular” at all, why would Pope Benedict XVI have issued his MP on the matter?

Two questions: data, and if it were not popular, why issue the MP?

Data: about one in every 250 parishes regularly offer the Mass in Latin. Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, quoting Mass Times Trust, operators of the popular website www.masstimes.org from the 117,000 parishes for which listings are available (in more than 200 countires). 1 in 250 is .4%. No distinction is made between the EF, and the OF in Latin, so it is possible that the four tenths of one percent is not the sum of the EF, but that the EF is celebrated regularly less than that. Or that may be the EF statistics. Note: that is not a link; you will have to go google it I suspect.

Why did he (the Pope) give the MP? One obvious conclusion is that he wanted to move forward with the healing of the right between the SSPX and the Church. It is also possible that he or others at his request simply did some actual research on the issue of whether or not it had been surpressed, and came to the conclusion that it had not, so he simply made clear the status.

There seems to be a popular opinion among people who favor the EF that it is wildly popular, gaining vast ground, bound to take over the OF (that reflects a range of opinions, actually). In reading posts of people who are in favor of the EF, and who take pains and the time to report another parish celebrating it, and comment on all the priests who are being trained in it, I am left with the impression that they have no idea the actual number of parishes in the US even, are of only small regional experience, and have more enthusiasm than information.

Enthusiasm is not wrong, and please don’t construe my comments as indicating such. It is simply that I have been watching the issue for years (I was in high school when Vatican 2 was in process, and served Mass from 6th grade through middle college); and I have been astounded at how little some seem to actually know in terms of real world numbers and statistics. If a diocese, for example, had three parishes with the EF, and now has 12 with the EF, that is a 300% increase - sounds phenomenal. Except that of the whole diocese with 360 parishes, that is an increase from .8% to 3.33% - in other words, 96.67% of the parishes don’t have the EF. (Chicago comes close to these numbers, as an example).

I have brought this information up before, and have been flamed for “throwing a wet blanket on such a tremendous change”. The facts simply are the facts; the EF is extremely rare world wide; part of that is due to having few priests who can say it, few who can say it who wish to say it; few in training to say it; few who promote it - and few bishops who promote it; and few who are demanding it or requesting it. Also true is that we have about two generations who are totally unfamiliar with it (so they have no reason to ask for it) and few who even know that it could be available.

Even in the dioceses which have promoted it, it is only a small portion of the total number of Masses which are said each weekend.

Other information is the letter he wrote accompanying the MP. He makes it clear there that he does not anticipate it becoming very popular. So where this idea comes from of its popularity I can onlyl guess; I suspect that it is in part due to the fact that those who like it, do so very strongly, and do not understand why others are not likewise.

Part of the problem, I suspect, also stems from the fact that some (certainly not all) who style themselves as Traditionalists have a tendency to see the Church as rigidly and narrowly defined. While doctrine is defined, and serious moral matters are defined, and rubrics are defined, those three items are not the sum and substance of the Church. Christ is. And Christ is not defined by those items - those items are defined by Christ. In other words, Christ, and His Church, are more than just those items. What those same few Traditionalists also fail to acknowledge is that one can be a true, practicing, faith-filled Catholic, following the Magisterium, not dissenting or protesting, believing what the Church teaches, and not be a Traditionalist. Those who have that mindset simply cannot conceive or perceive that others may be just as Catholic, and yet not prefer the EF, not prefer polyphony or Gregorian Chant; receive in the hand, and do other things and have other opinions that leave the Traditionalists aghast.

 

[Hotchkiss]

Hi,

Statistics…gotta love’m pick 500 people with various views choose what ever number you like and you can say 4 out 5 people like… rather… etc etc… you could even use 500 non Catholics who would know?? Sounds good but is the TRUTH?

Without references it is opinion, or mostly likely gossip… I heard it from this guy who heard it from that guy etc…

At least I use Scripture and sound Catholic teachings with references in addition to my experience in and outside the Church, somebody earlier in this thread accused me of knowing everything? No one knows everything that’s why the Church calls them Mysteries of God, if they were explainable they wouldn’t be called mysteries at all.

I’m not up on theses abbreviations EF Mass?

God bless, :highprayer:
  John

Have you studied statistics? I have. Do you know what goes into sampling plans? It’s applied mathematics. The variables you comment on CAN be controlled.

 

[Hotchkiss]

Two questions: data, and if it were not popular, why issue the MP?

Data: about one in every 250 parishes regularly offer the Mass in Latin. Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, quoting Mass Times Trust, operators of the popular website www.masstimes.org from the 117,000 parishes for which listings are available (in more than 200 countires). 1 in 250 is .4%. No distinction is made between the EF, and the OF in Latin, so it is possible that the four tenths of one percent is not the sum of the EF, but that the EF is celebrated regularly less than that. Or that may be the EF statistics. Note: that is not a link; you will have to go google it I suspect.

Why did he (the Pope) give the MP? One obvious conclusion is that he wanted to move forward with the healing of the right between the SSPX and the Church. It is also possible that he or others at his request simply did some actual research on the issue of whether or not it had been surpressed, and came to the conclusion that it had not, so he simply made clear the status.

There seems to be a popular opinion among people who favor the EF that it is wildly popular, gaining vast ground, bound to take over the OF (that reflects a range of opinions, actually). In reading posts of people who are in favor of the EF, and who take pains and the time to report another parish celebrating it, and comment on all the priests who are being trained in it, I am left with the impression that they have no idea the actual number of parishes in the US even, are of only small regional experience, and have more enthusiasm than information.

Enthusiasm is not wrong, and please don’t construe my comments as indicating such. It is simply that I have been watching the issue for years (I was in high school when Vatican 2 was in process, and served Mass from 6th grade through middle college); and I have been astounded at how little some seem to actually know in terms of real world numbers and statistics. If a diocese, for example, had three parishes with the EF, and now has 12 with the EF, that is a 300% increase - sounds phenomenal. Except that of the whole diocese with 360 parishes, that is an increase from .8% to 3.33% - in other words, 96.67% of the parishes don’t have the EF. (Chicago comes close to these numbers, as an example).

I have brought this information up before, and have been flamed for “throwing a wet blanket on such a tremendous change”. The facts simply are the facts; the EF is extremely rare world wide; part of that is due to having few priests who can say it, few who can say it who wish to say it; few in training to say it; few who promote it - and few bishops who promote it; and few who are demanding it or requesting it. Also true is that we have about two generations who are totally unfamiliar with it (so they have no reason to ask for it) and few who even know that it could be available.

Even in the dioceses which have promoted it, it is only a small portion of the total number of Masses which are said each weekend.

Other information is the letter he wrote accompanying the MP. He makes it clear there that he does not anticipate it becoming very popular. So where this idea comes from of its popularity I can onlyl guess; I suspect that it is in part due to the fact that those who like it, do so very strongly, and do not understand why others are not likewise.

Part of the problem, I suspect, also stems from the fact that some (certainly not all) who style themselves as Traditionalists have a tendency to see the Church as rigidly and narrowly defined. While doctrine is defined, and serious moral matters are defined, and rubrics are defined, those three items are not the sum and substance of the Church. Christ is. And Christ is not defined by those items - those items are defined by Christ. In other words, Christ, and His Church, are more than just those items. What those same few Traditionalists also fail to acknowledge is that one can be a true, practicing, faith-filled Catholic, following the Magisterium, not dissenting or protesting, believing what the Church teaches, and not be a Traditionalist. Those who have that mindset simply cannot conceive or perceive that others may be just as Catholic, and yet not prefer the EF, not prefer polyphony or Gregorian Chant; receive in the hand, and do other things and have other opinions that leave the Traditionalists aghast.

Great posting and a terrific reality check!

 

[Cat]

Hi Cat,
C’mon the Church has always made exceptions for those who are unable to bend a knee or get out of a wheelchair or for that matter can’t make it to Mass as in the homebound and Hospitalized.

That’s what I said.

Funny born in Manhattan, now 52, taught to Chew with my mouth closed, somehow some way I must have missed all those other rules when it came to Church behavior like don’t turn around, don’t read the misselete during the Readings or consecration, and don’t speak out loud so as to disturb those at Worship… 8 yrs of Catholic School, and those I swear those Nuns couldn’t give up an opportunity to correct/rebuke/ waack us when we stepped out of line… they must have forgotten that opening our mouths and placing our tongues out so we could receive Jesus… was anti american??

I really apologize that my writing is so bad that I am not making myself clear.

I thought that I said that yes, it’s appropriate in MASS to open the mouth and display the tongue. It’s is perfectly acceptable and mannerly and polite. I agree with you. OK?

Here’s the problem–in the U.S., people have a hard time separating Mass from all the other times when it is inappropriate and ill-mannered to open the mouth wide. Even though they are at Mass, the practice of opening the mouth and sticking out the tongue FEELS impolite to them, even though it is perfectly polite.

Is that clear? People in the U.S. have to be re-trained to understand and accept that Mass is one of those times when it’s OK to open wide and show the tongue.

You can't worry about pleasing others when it comes to God, He doesn't like people pleasers.. When we know a truth, it only hurts us not to cooperate in it, after all all truth is revealed to us by God through the Holy Spirit.. not acting in accordance is... disobedience.

It is NOT disobedience to receive Holy Communion on the hand, as the bishops in the United States are allowed by the Church to grant permission for this practice in their diocese.

As for pleasing others, please read I Corinthians 10, especially vs. 23-33. Here’s verses 32 & 33: "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks, or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved."

Also look at I Corinthians 8, in which St. Paul admonishes us not to allow our liberty to become a stumbling block to the weak. vs. 13 says “Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble.”

Yes, we part of a body, and we must be concerned for each other. There is a balance. As you say, I cannot be concerned merely with pleasing men. But I maintain, along with the Scriptures, that I cannot disregard others, but must look out for their spiritual growth, too.

 

[John_oxios]

Have you studied statistics? I have. Do you know what goes into sampling plans? It’s applied mathematics. The variables you comment on CAN be controlled.

Anybody can say 3 out of five do this or do that, anybody can work out a statistic to show what thy want to show. i.e ‘survey says…’ it does no make it an authority nor the end result.

 

[John_oxios]

=

Cat;
Here’s the problem–in the U.S., people have a hard time separating Mass from all the other times when it is inappropriate and ill-mannered to open the mouth wide. Even though they are at Mass, the practice of opening the mouth and sticking out the tongue FEELS impolite to them, even though it is perfectly polite.

Is that clear? People in the U.S. have to be re-trained to understand and accept that Mass is one of those times when it’s OK to open wide and show the tongue.

Hi Cat,
Okay, maybe for those who don’t regularly attend Mass and out of practice, i.e. those who show up for Mass CHristmas, Ash Wed, and Easter. Regular attendees, would be use to the sensation… I’m not an advocate of receiving on the tongue only… its just the excuses I hear against it are ridiculous. Actually for some people it may cause a dizzying effect to stand, close your eyes, tilt your head back and stick out your tongue, especially people with back problems. today it seems almost like wee receiving alone. Back in the day you giot to kneel at the altar rail next to your friends family, loved ones and side by side… the Lutheran Church still receives in that manner it is a more communal way… The Church IS about community, right.

Cat, "It is NOT disobedience to receive Holy Communion on the hand, as the bishops in the United States are allowed by the Church to grant permission for this practice in their diocese.

I never said it was, what I said, was if the Spirit moves you to kneel before the Eucharist, prior to receiving by hand or by tongue that, that was in disobedience… for me, after I had heard what Pope Benedict thought on the subject was I had to kneel, that’s my experience.

Cat, "As for pleasing others, please read I Corinthians 10, especially vs. 23-33. Here’s verses 32 & 33: "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks, or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved."

Paul did not give up his religious practice to please others, what he did was sit back watch and observe, then he took what he learned and used their practices to Preach Christ. i.e. in Athens he observed they were a religious community, but worshipped many gods. **He complimented them on their fervor, but then used their own religion to preach Christ by introducing him as the unknown God **they had been worshipping all along. You never ought to go into someones hose tell them their doing this or that all wrong… they’ll throw you out!! Paul took what they knew and captivated their thoughts to Christ.
He didn’t change his preaching nor his practice of faith for the sake of not offending anyone… he was stoned regularly , chased out of towns, and wanted by local officials does that sound like he didn’t offend anyone???

Cat, "Also look at I Corinthians 8, in which St. Paul admonishes us not to allow our liberty to become a stumbling block to the weak. vs. 13 says “Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble.”

This is about pagan practices… if you stepped into someones house and they served you food, what he is saying is don’t make a stink about whether or not the food was offered up to a pagan god, basically it was a don’t ask don’t tell why? Because if you believe in the ONE God, what is offered up to others doesn’t matter, on the other hand… he admonishes us not to knowingly eat of food offered up to other gods i.e as in a public service… which would be advocating or saying its okay for Christians to practice pagan rites.
Let’s put it this way, you go visit friends and when you get their its an adult swing group, do you stay because you don’t want to offend the host? Or do you leave?
Don’t we tell our kids if somebody is participating in an illegal act to get as fa away as they can?

Enough of that, but are you saying receiving on the tongue is offensive to some people and that we ought not to that as our preference to Communion to appease them?

Cat, Yes, we part of a body, and we must be concerned for each other. There is a balance. As you say, I cannot be concerned merely with pleasing men. But I maintain, along with the Scriptures, that I cannot disregard others, but must look out for their spiritual growth, too.

Doesn’t spiritual growth come from steeping out of the norm? The closer I came to God the less I needed to feel the need to get out of my own skin.

Thanks for the dialogue, I never meant to be offensive, just sharpening my iron.

God bless,
John

 

[John_oxios]

I’m just curious as to why it’s so popular.

Yes you have provided reasons why people receive CITH. But I still really don’t know why CITH is overwhelmingly chosen over COTT in most locations.

Hi,
Its easier, spiritually the harder discipline is the right discipline.

God bless,
John

 

[Cat]

=

Enough of that, but are you saying receiving on the tongue is offensive to some people and that we ought not to that as our preference to Communion to appease them?

Doesn’t spiritual growth come from steeping out of the norm? The closer I came to God the less I needed to feel the need to get out of my own skin.

Thanks for the dialogue, I never meant to be offensive, just sharpening my iron.

God bless,
John

Not at all. I think that NOT receiving on the tongue seems to be horribly offensive to some people, at least some of the people who post on CAF. Therefore, it makes sense to avoid offending them by receiving on the tongue. That way, it keeps doors open so that there can be friendship.

If my receiving on the hand will offend a traditionalist and cause them to distrust me, then I will receive on the tongue to earn their trust.

I think…and this is a big assumption, but I think it’s a valid one…that most people who receive on the hand could care less how others receive. I don’t think I will offend CITH advocates by receiving on my tongue.

I really didn’t care when I first became Catholic–to me, the COTT advocates felt more comfortable with that method, and the CITH advocates felt more comfortable with that method, and since the Church in the U.S. allows both (if the bishop approves), then there’s no conflict or issue. We were taught both ways in our RCIA class, which was taught by a team of laypeople including cradle Catholics and converts and also by several priests.

I was extremely surprised to come to CAF and find that for some people, this is a huge issue, one that affects the attitude of reverence for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Some people actually extrapolate many of the problems of the Church on receiving Holy Communion in their hand. I was frankly, shocked, to hear a practice approved of by the Church denigrated so vehemently on this board. I still am. I think it’s much ado about nothing. I think the important thing is to pray that the Holy Spirit would make our hearts reverent. I honestly don’t believe that a position of the body will influence the heart–perhaps I feel this way because the position of kneeling is not available to me (because of bad knees and feet), but I don’t consider myself any less reverent in my actions or in my heart.

I honestly think the best way to show reverence to God is to help the orphans and widows who are in trouble, and to strive to keep oneself unstained by world. (See the letter of James).

 

[Monty61]

I think that Communion in the hand is just one part of a package of measures designed to implement the “progressive” agenda.

No one will come out and state it, but I think the progressive agenda within the Catholic Church is as follows:

1. De-emphasize the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
2. Reduce or eliminate the perceived difference between laity and ordained priests and deacons.
3. Reduce or eliminate differences in Catholic and non-Catholic liturgy.
4. Reduce or eliminate traditional Catholic practices and devotions, again to blur the difference between Catholic and Protestant theology and spirituality.

The package of measures to implement this agenda include, I think, the following:

1. Reduce or eliminate differences between Catholic and Protestant churches ie, the actual structure and layout of the buildings and configuration of the space where Mass is celebrated. (Removal of high altars, communion rails, statues, etc)
2. Communion in the hand.
3. Standing, not kneeling for communion.
4. Changes to the Mass that went beyond what the actual VII documents required. (eliminating Latin, chant, facing the people, etc.)

In other words, instead of Mass being a different and unique experience, the Mass was made to be more like everyday life. Let’s have the same style music at Mass that we hear 24/7 everywhere else, take Communion the same way we eat a potato chip, wear the same t shirt with the skull and dripping blood from the Mega Death concert to Mass etc. (Yes I actually saw this, I am not making it up.)

Communion in the hand is not a single issue; it’s part of a systematic program to fundamentally change and water down the Catholic faith. Instead of being like Moses and taking off our everyday shoes on holy ground to meet God, we are trying to drag God down to the unholy ground to meet us. But God won’t be dragged down, that’s why He sent us Pope Benedict.

 

[surritter]

I think too many people are looking for a snake under every rock. CITH is popular for two reasons: It’s how many are taught. We can debate the motives of the folks who do the teaching, but the end result is that the pupils do what they’ve learned. C’mon, a second-grader is not trying to downplay the Real Presence by receiving in the hand. And as they grow up, it just kind of remains their habitual manner of receiving Holy Communion.

The other reason why it’s popular is one that has been mentioned several times: it’s just plain easier. With the tongue, I have to worry about holding my head at the right angle, and sticking my tongue out a certain distance, and as the host approaches don’t move too much, and on and on. The only extra concern I have to worry about when receiving in the hand is to make sure there are no particles left in my palm after consuming. But if you simply weigh the number of little things to worry about, CITH winds up being much easier.

Now I’d probably agree with folks who say that receiving on the tongue is more pious, and shows greater respect for the Eucharist, etc. But the original question was why is CITH so popular, right?

 

[Cat]

Hi,
Its easier, spiritually the harder discipline is the right discipline.

God bless,
John

Then why did Jesus say, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” ?

And why did Jesus condemn the scribes and Pharisees who lay heavy burdens on their fellow man?

And who decided that receiving on the hand is easier than receiving on the tongue? When you receive on the hand, there is a lot more “muscle movement” involved–you have to lay one hand in the other hand, and you have to cup the hand, and then you have to pick up the Lord with the other hand–frankly, I was terrified when I made my First Holy Communion as a new Catholic that I would get it all mixed up–I practiced over and over again.

That’s quite a generalization. Often, the SIMPLEST discipline done consistently is very effective in helping a Christian to remain close to Jesus and to grow in holiness–e.g., making a simple Morning and Evening Offering, or making a daily Short Visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, or even saying Grace at meals.

 

[Cat]

I think too many people are looking for a snake under every rock. CITH is popular for two reasons: It’s how many are taught. We can debate the motives of the folks who do the teaching, but the end result is that the pupils do what they’ve learned. C’mon, a second-grader is not trying to downplay the Real Presence by receiving in the hand. And as they grow up, it just kind of remains their habitual manner of receiving Holy Communion.

The other reason why it’s popular is one that has been mentioned several times: it’s just plain easier. With the tongue, I have to worry about holding my head at the right angle, and sticking my tongue out a certain distance, and as the host approaches don’t move too much, and on and on. The only extra concern I have to worry about when receiving in the hand is to make sure there are no particles left in my palm after consuming. But if you simply weigh the number of little things to worry about, CITH winds up being much easier.

Now I’d probably agree with folks who say that receiving on the tongue is more pious, and shows greater respect for the Eucharist, etc. But the original question was why is CITH so popular, right?

Thank you for a sensible post.

Converts to Catholicism are often the most fervid believers in the True Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. We have given up our friends, our churches, our lifestyles (evangelical Protestantism is a definite “lifestyle”), our ministries, and sometimes our families and jobs to become Catholic and receive Jesus, the REAL Jesus, in Holy Communion. Yet many new converts receive in the hand because that is what they were taught. Don’t tell me that we’re wishy-washy in our belief in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist just because we hold Him in our hands.