Communion on the hand has been allowed by many countries in the world, with the permission of the Holy See. (In Australia it started on Pentecost Sunday 1976, for instance). The Church says that if one chooses to receive Holy Communion in this manner to receive Our Lord in a reverent manner following the exhortation of St Cyril of Jerusalem, "When you approach, do not extend your hands with palms upwards and fingers apart, but make your left hand a throne for your right hand to receive the King of Kings".
The problem has been that these days, this is the exception rather than the rule, and fragments of hosts (occasionally even the whole ones) turn up in other places, instead of being consumed. In addition to this, surveys have been done throughout the world which indicate that most Catholics have more of a Protestant conception of the Eucharist (in that they see this just as a symbol) instead of its reality as the Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity of Jesus Christ. Poor catecheses in both classes and homilies is very much responsible for this, but it has been reinforced by cavalier attitudes towards the Holy Eucharist.
Restoring the older discipline will go a long way towards solving these issues, if this is what the Church decides. Should anyone think the petition is imprudent or lacking in respect towards the current directives of the Holy See, it is worth reminding us of this precept from the Code of Canon Law, "In accord with the knowledge, competence and pre-eminence which they possess, the Christian faithful have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence towards their pastors, and for consideration for the common good and dignity of persons." (Canon 212:3)
Communion in the hand remains an option throughout the Latin Church presently, and one must respect the right of persons who choose to partake of this privilege, with the proper dispositions.
With the petition you will find that you can leave a comment. My favourite one is by my friend Michael Hichborn of the American Life League (who I met in 2009 at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington DC to be interviewed by Raymond Arroyo on EWTN), a big issue in this American presidential election year.
"Amen! Restoration of the Culture of Life MUST begin with TOTAL respect and reverence for Christ in the Eucharist [the Bread of Life] !"
God bless
Andrew Rabel
Really its a good effort.
ReplyDeleteAs a lay person, I also see the carelessness which some handle the Holy Host, and agree with revoking the insult of Communion in the Hand.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I would rather say 'and agree with revoking Communion in the hand which some practise so carelessly that they insult the Lord'.
ReplyDeleteFr John, I meant to say indult, the auto-correct feature on my computer got me before I could correct it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a most necessary appeal (I am not in favour of the word ‘petition’). I have been ordained 18 years and seen many abuses which have included:
ReplyDeleteOne host found half chewed outside the church door;
One host half-chewed under a bench in Church
An Extra-ordinary minister letting it slip that she took the Host home but left for the housebound person wearing a different coat and therefore leaving the Host in her other coat pocket
Another Extra-ordinary Minister, having run out of altar breads, putting the ciborium from the tabernacle out so that we could have an offertory procession...
Another Extraordinary Minister filling up the paten-bowel during Mass from the sacristy because she was running out of Hosts
Frequent references in speech to the ‘wine’ running out
Common reception by children in dirty hands filled with ink and paint.
Truly, there has been a great loss in understanding of and reverence for the Sanctissimum since Communion in the hand was permitted.
I agree with the spirit of what is being said here. However, I think one of the greatest needs is to reform the use (and abuse) of the so-called extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. Even my parish priest refers to them as "Eucharistic ministers". In my parish, we have what I will refer to as an "army" (never less than 12) of extraordinary ministers at every mass--even at the 7:30 a.m. mass that has very low attendance. I have a hard time receiving HC from a woman with 3 inch long red nails dressed in a high school graduation robe (and I'm a woman--but sans the 3 inch red nails). So I have to say the English pastor is dead on. Go back to receiving the Lord on the tongue and from a man who has Holy Orders or is a deacon....
ReplyDeleteA-MEN!
DeleteYes, we should nix the extraordinary ministers of HC.
I'll add that kneeling at the communion rail is a much more efficient means, as well. At my parish, the priest has to recite every single person's name as he gives Holy Communion. I do not need to hear my name. That takes time as does every person saying with their mouth, "Amen". Kneeling eliminates the need to proclaim "Amen" because our bodies are already proclaiming it.
In my diocese our bishop has directed that Communion under both species be limited to certain days and circumstances, one result is that usually in the churches I attend there is no need for EMHCs. People feel more confidence receiving Communion on the tongue from a priest or deacon, and many people do so at these parishes, and certainly a majority at weekday Masses. These parishes also feature Eucharistic adoration promently; one has a Perpetual Adoration chapel.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the petition should also include the requirement that the priest should be available to administer Communion to everyone in the church who so chooses to receive from a priest. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to have no choice but to receive Holy Communion from an extraordinary minister especially when you know other priests are available and preparing for subsequent masses. So many times, it’s a gamble when entering the church. Should I sit on the right side of the church of the left side? Will the priest go to the right side of the altar or the left side of the altar to distribute the Blessed Sacrament? And if the priest goes the other way, will I have not choice but to “cut the line” to get to the priest or have to receive from “Gladys” or “Edna” or “Martha” all dressed up in white robes and assuming prominent positions in the front of the church that should really be reserved for the ordained. Even in parishes that have only one priest, the priest should be required to position himself in the center to so allow anyone who chooses to receive on the tongue from a priest the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteJoe, you just described my Sunday routine. Fortunately, my priests are pretty much creatures of habit and I know where they will stand to administer HC. However, I have to confess, I HAVE NO PROBLEM changing lines, or going all the way to the back of the sanctuary to get in the line where I'll receive from a priest or deacon. I want to receive from someone in persona Christi, as Jesus himself ordained. It's a sacrament and unless there are truly extraordinary circumstances, I'm going in the priest communion line. Best, Esmeralda
ReplyDelete