Why Is CITH So Popular?

[Kielbasi]

I wonder how many have stopped to consider why CITH is so popular?

Its just because CITH has been taught and practiced for the past 40 years.

Many people haven’t been taught any other method.

Many older people, who supposedly were taught otherwise, don’t want to make a spectacle of themselves by insisting on the old school protocol. And this makes sense, as they don’t want to give others the impression that they are claiming greater piety for this.

In addition, CITH makes more sense and fits in better with the current protocol of queueing up for communion- it made less sense when the people knelt at the altar rail. People that are taller than the EM or priest make communion on the tongue a bit awkward when both are standing.

 

[benedictgal]

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?

Actually, it’s not necessarily easier. There is no science to receiving COTT. My father and his generation never had any qualms about it. As I see it, it’s just a smokescreen issue.

There is a risk to CITH, something which seems to get ignored in this thread. In fact, RS cites it:

[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice,178 if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to thefaithful.179

Unfortunately, it is also true that a lot of RCIA and CCD programs push CITH instead of COTH, leading folks to believe that CITH is the default and COTT is the option. Remember, too, that CITH is an indult that can be rescinded at any time, while COTT is the universal norm. In fact, there are some bishops who have already rescinded CITH in their dioceses. Bologna, Iitaly is one example.

 

[benedictgal]

In addition, CITH makes more sense and fits in better with the current protocol of queueing up for communion- it made less sense when the people knelt at the altar rail. People that are taller than the EM or priest make communion on the tongue a bit awkward when both are standing.

I am tall and have not experienced any problems. If the priest is shorter than I am, I will simply bend my knees. On occasion, I have also kneeled at the local monastery. Thus, that final argument really is no argument.

 

[surritter]

Actually, it’s not necessarily easier. There is no science to receiving COTT. My father and his generation never had any qualms about it. As I see it, it’s just a smokescreen issue.

There is a risk to CITH, something which seems to get ignored in this thread. In fact, RS cites it:

Unfortunately, it is also true that a lot of RCIA and CCD programs push CITH instead of COTH, leading folks to believe that CITH is the default and COTT is the option. Remember, too, that CITH is an indult that can be rescinded at any time, while COTT is the universal norm. In fact, there are some bishops who have already rescinded CITH in their dioceses. Bologna, Iitaly is one example.

No BG–
My point is precisely that for most Catholics in the pews, it’s not a smokescreen issue. It’s simply easier – from a mechanics point of view – to receive in the hands and then place the host on your own tongue. I’m not debating the worthiness of this practice, but rather the ease.

I am well over 6 feet tall, and yes I often have to bend my knees when receiving on the tongue. It’s not difficult per se, but it’s an extra step to be taken that is not needed if receiving in the hand. People tend to resort to what’s easiest.

And the quote from RS has nothing to do with the discussion. We are talking about why many of the recipients of HC do so in the hand. What you mention is perhaps a concern of the EMHC, but not the average person approaching the altar.

 

[Hotchkiss]

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.

You don’t think the data taken from MassTimes is enough to generate some very meaningful statistics?

 

[Hotchkiss]

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

God bless,
John

Your first assertion is not proven. Second assertion is false…

 

[Hotchkiss]

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?

Your first reason doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. The huge majority of people who learned to receive COTT in the USA now receive CITH.

I would agree your second reason is a valid albeit likely small reason as to why people have flocked to CITH.

 

[Hotchkiss]

Its just because CITH has been taught and practiced for the past 40 years.

Many people haven’t been taught any other method.

Many older people, who supposedly were taught otherwise, don’t want to make a spectacle of themselves by insisting on the old school protocol. And this makes sense, as they don’t want to give others the impression that they are claiming greater piety for this.

In addition, CITH makes more sense and fits in better with the current protocol of queueing up for communion- it made less sense when the people knelt at the altar rail. People that are taller than the EM or priest make communion on the tongue a bit awkward when both are standing.

No way can you prove that…

Even if it were true it wouldn’t explain why those who received First Communion back when it HAD to be COTT (and it wasn’t 40 years ago) have flocked to receiving CITH.

 

[surritter]

Your first reason doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. The huge majority of people who learned to receive COTT in the USA now receive CITH.

I would agree your second reason is a valid albeit likely small reason as to why people have flocked to CITH.

Sorry I don’t follow you. It can’t be denied that the majority of people who are taught to receive Holy Communion are instructed to do so in the hand. Are you referring to instructions for those who were raise in the sixties and earlier?

 

[pnewton]

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

God bless,
John

Where in the Bible, Catechism or GIRM is** that** principle?

 

[pnewton]

Its just because CITH has been taught and practiced for the past 40 years.

Many people haven’t been taught any other method.

I think you may have a point there. I wouldn’t be surprised if that is a reason for some.

 

[pnewton]

BTW - In the spirit the thread was put out here, I think it wrong, not to mention illogical, to belittle people’s honest answers by calling them excuses. Demeaning subjective experiences simply makes no sense.

 

[John_oxios]

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.

Communion in the hand has was and has been around waa…aaay before the Reformation. It was practiced on and off in The RCC for centuries.

Judas received the sop in his hand from the hand of Jesus, and then again do you think at the Last Supper, Jesus placed the Consecrated bread on the tongue of each Apostle?

God Bless,

John

 

[Hotchkiss]

Sorry I don’t follow you. It can’t be denied that the majority of people who are taught to receive Holy Communion are instructed to do so in the hand. Are you referring to instructions for those who were raise in the sixties and earlier?

1.) No way can you prove that the “majority people who are taught to receive Holy Communion are instructed to do so ONLY in the hand” or even a preference for in the hand. It would take both to begin to explain the rapid expansion of CITH but you have not demonstrated this. You are offering a personal opinion as if it’s proven fact and it’s not.

 

[surritter]

Where in the Bible, Catechism or GIRM is** that** principle?

Maybe the bit about “the harder discipline is the right discipline” is drawn from the teaching of Our Lord that the gate is narrow…

 

[Hotchkiss]

I’m guessing the reason for the widespread adoption of CITH by the faithful can be attributed to the following pretty much in this order:

1.) Communicants don’t like to open/expose their mouths.

2.) They don’t like to stick their tongues out.

3.) They have trouble judging the distance relationship of their tongue to the distributor’s hand. CITH is therefore “easier.”

4.) Concern for public healthy – germs.

5.) They personally find the early church model to be more reverent.

6.) Little faith in the fine motor control of those distributing COTT.

7.) They have been mistakenly told that CITH was the only approved way to receive communion.

Just my best guesses though…

 

[John_oxios]

Your first assertion is not proven. Second assertion is false…

Hey Hotchkiss,

Ever watch EWTN? that’s where I got it from… In a discussion about Pope Benedict’s assertion that we all ought to be kneeling during communion. Its easier to stand it takes less effort, try kneeling and geting up compared to just standing there. If you don’t think there’s a difference, then I don’t know what to tell you… kneeling take more effort… try a Eastern Orthodox rite Mass, (during Lent is Better) bring your exercise gear, compared to the RCC its a workout.

John

 

[John_oxios]

Maybe the bit about “the harder discipline is the right discipline” is drawn from the teaching of Our Lord that the gate is narrow…

And most people take the easier broader way. Pythagoras’ used the letter Upsilon, which is the Greek letter ‘Y’ The stem represents us growing up at 21 we come to a crossroad, we can go to the left which is the broader softer easier way, Lot choose the Sodom and Gomorrah side, big city life.
While the narrow and steeper side is the right side of the ‘Y’ it takes work and effort to reach the top.

The road to Jerusalem was uphill and difficult. Jerusalem also represents Heaven,
The road back was downhill and easier… When we fall it is oh so much easier to fall back into our old familiar bad habits.

God bless,
John

 

[surritter]

1.) No way can you prove that the “majority people who are taught to receive Holy Communion are instructed to do so ONLY in the hand” or even a preference for in the hand. It would take both to begin to explain the rapid expansion of CITH but you have not demonstrated this. You are offering a personal opinion as if it’s proven fact and it’s not.

I don’t intend to prove it, because I can’t without calling every DRE in the world and doing a statistical plot of the results. But it’s a little more than just “personal opinion.” In First Communion programs in the USA, CITH is usually presented as the norm, and the teacher then feels obligated to say, “Oh, and it is also permitted to receive directly on the tongue.”

If you live in North America, the only way that you can honestly believe that the majority of First Communion instruction programs explain to the kiddies that COTT is the universal norm and CITH is an exception that is allowed is if your parish and every other parish in your diocese is 100% orthodox in every respect. You know what I’m talking about – this is why people drive for 20 miles because they can’t take any more “Lord of the Dance” stuff. It’s because many of the parishes in this country have watered some things down. Have you attended First Communion Masses at several representative parishes? What was the proportion of youngsters who received on the tongue?

 

[benedictgal]

I’m guessing the reason for the widespread adoption of CITH by the faithful can be attributed to the following pretty much in this order:

1.) Communicants don’t like to open/expose their mouths.

2.) They don’t like to stick their tongues out.

3.) They have trouble judging the distance relationship of their tongue to the distributor’s hand. CITH is therefore “easier.”

4.) Concern for public healthy – germs.

5.) They personally find the early church model to be more reverent.

6.) Little faith in the fine motor control of those distributing COTT.

7.) They have been mistakenly told that CITH was the only approved way to receive communion.

Just my best guesses though…

The first six guesses are not really good reasons. The seventh one is perhaps the most likely.

With all due respect, I am curious as to why you pose the question. Given the tenor of your posts in previous threads, it begs the question that there is something underlying here.

CITH is an option give to the faithful by an indult. Cardinal Canizares has stated that. However, because it is an indult, it can be rescinded at any time, and, as RS indicates, it can also be restricted if there is a danger to the profanation of the Body of Christ. It is interesting that to note that the Church has never deemed this kind of risk as far as receiving COTT is concerned. I am not demeaning anyone who chooses the legitimate option of CITH; however, if the question posed here has an underlying tone, which, I suspect it does, we should be sincere about such things.