, James W. Demers said, Of those responsible for the lack of beauty in the Church, no one is more culpable than todays lay ministers. After the Second Vatican Council, a very wise Archbishop shrewdly observed that. Yes, we are all dirty rags I know. Communion on the tongue displays a greater degree of reverence, and it is safer because it is less likely to result in the host, or a particle of the host falling to the floor. It depends on who interprets it. If it were a sacrilege, that indult would not have been accorded by Rome. For those not receiving Holy Communion. parish church, and most Catholics think nothing of it proving that men can become desensitized to desecration. The divide underscores a growing tension amongst American Catholics about who they see as the true authority on matters of faith and what they should believe. Controversy surrounds the claim that Communion in the hand was practiced in the early Church. But now, lay people administering the Blessed Sacrament is an ordinary sight in the average Novus Ordo parish church, and most Catholics think nothing of it proving that men can become desensitized to desecration. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? But obliterating these without apology and without convincing argument, as has been the case over the last 30 years with the introduction of the New Mass, is not the mark of genuine Catholic renewal, but resembles the New Paganism warned of by Belloc, and its arrogant contempt for tradition. This document does not grant some revolutionary indult for any and every parish to permit lay-people to administer Communion; it authorizes the use of extraordinary ministers in cases of genuine necessity , which are listed as: When there is no priest, deacon or acolyte. In the Old Mass, Catholics receive communion by kneeling down and receive the Holy Eucharist in tongue. It is not the touching of the bread with the hands which defiles a person, nor does that defile the bread any more than the unclean people who touched our Lord defiled him. It was the indignation of large numbers of the Faithful which prompted Pope Paul VI to take some action. In times of persecution these celebrations would have been in secret, in catacombs and other hidden spots. St. Cyril of Jerusalem in 348 gave this instruction to his congregation: "When you approach Holy Communion, make the left hand into a throne for the right, which will receive the King. Church volunteers have delivered . Lay people started reading the Epistle, and the new responsorial psalms. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Though Ecumenism will not be treated within this article (see The Problem with Modern Ecumenism, Catholic Family News March 1995 Issue), suffice it to say that this novel ecumenical spirit which Deitrich von Hildebrand called ECUMANIA became rampant during and after Vatican II. I write this not to stir up controversy, but to provide a context against which individuals may decide how best to receive Jesus Precious Body and Blood, especially in our current culture. rev2023.5.1.43405. Basil, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Leo the Great, among others, suggesting that reception on the tongue was the standard for the early Church. How to force Unity Editor/TestRunner to run at full speed when in background? An interesting response to sedevacantists regarding their objections on this topic. Hence, it is not lawful for anyone else to touch it except from necessity (Summa Theologica). Not only should we rarely see one, but there should be many Catholics who go through their entire life without once seeing an extraordinary minister. In more recent times, Church leaders have been clear on one point: Communion on the tongue is not only acceptable, but preferable, and the Church should never deny this method of reception to the faithful. As for Communion on the hand, the account of the Last Supper strongly suggests Jesus distributed His Body in this way. 400 years ago, Communion in the hand was introduced into Christian worship by men whose motives were rooted in defiance of Catholicism. The Canadian bishops wrote a pastoral letter supposedly. The note was more of a thanks to Ken. There was a warning that any innovation could lead to irreverence and profanation of the Eucharist, as well as gradual erosion of correct doctrine., It must be asked, then, if this Instruction is on the books, why is Communion in the hand so prevalent? A closer reading of the text will reveal they were but disciples at this point, as are we all. Communion on the tongue remains the usual and common form of administering Holy Communion. But Peter lifted him up and said, Stand up. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Hence, it is not lawful for anyone else to touch It, except from necessity, for instance, if It were to fall upon the ground or else in some other case of urgency. (, Saint Thomas, who is the prince of theologians in the Catholic Church, who towers above all the rest, whose, was placed on the altar next to the Scriptures during the Council of Trent, and whose teaching Saint Pius X said was. And it must be noticed, the Instruction said where the abuse had already become firmly established. But now, lay people administering the Blessed Sacrament is an ordinary sight in the average. Controversy surrounds the claim that Communion in the hand was practiced in the early Church. His feast day is celebrated on 15 August; that day is widely observed as the Feast of the Assumption, therefore he is not mentioned in the General Roman Calendar, but only in the Roman Martyrology. Can you still use Commanders Strike if the only attack available to forego is an attack against an ally? In his letter Domincae Cenae of February 24, 1980, the Pope restated the Churchs teaching that to touch the sacred species and to administer them with their own hands is a privilege of the ordained. But, for whatever reason, this 1980 document contained no threat of penalty to any layman, priest or bishop who ignored the Popes plea. According to one version of the detailed legend that developed later, Tarsicius was a young boy during one of the fierce 3rd-century Roman persecutions, probably during the reign of Emperor Valerian (253259). @jaredad7 Would you consider posting a question about this. he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, There is truth in this too. Three Videos - Latin American Catholic Priest has Vision during Holy Mass of Jesus Christ and in Tears Cries, "No more Holy Communion in the hand!" But the New Paganism has for its very essence contempt for tradition and contempt for ancestry. It is especially dangerous, claiming millions of lives, and causing significant illness in many millions more. And it must be noted that at this time, the abuse was limited to a few European countries. Originally, Fr. Perhaps it is worthwhile to reconsider how we receive the Eucharist, for not as common bread and common drink do we receive these (St. Justin Martyr, AD 150). speaker. But if you think about it, there were some necessary steps that we sat in the pew and watched develop that laid the foundation for this plague of unconsecrated hands, commissioned by pastors to degrade the Eucharist, usurp the duty of those in Holy Orders, undermine the priesthood, and rob the altar of God of its sacred rights. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. Can this manner of receiving Communion be required of the faithful who prefer to receive Christ on the tongue? If it were sacrileges, the present teaching do not reflect that to be the case. This ruling too, has been completely ignored, as will be all rulings providing a concession for this abuse is somewhere on the books. Whatever the case, it is clear that Communion on the tongue is of Apostolic origins (that is, taught by Christ Himself), Communion in the hand was condemned as an abuse at the Synod of Rouen in 650 A.D., and the practice of Communion in the hand is never reflected in the artwork of any period whether it be in the East or West that is, up until, The teaching that only the priests may touch the Sacred Host, that the priests hands are consecrated for this purpose, and that no precaution was too great to safeguard reverence and prevent desecration had been incorporated into the Liturgy of the Church; that is, the, Priests were trained in the Old Latin Mass to celebrate Mass with precise rubrics that safeguarded the reverence the Blessed Sacrament deserves. When vast numbers of Catholics, then, rejected Humanae Vitae based on the Canadian bishops compromise, it was hardly surprising. The tragedy of it all is, if it is optional for the laity, in practice it is not optional for the clergy. (Acts 3:12 CSB), "When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief But when, was issued, there was a tidal wave of scandalous opposition from Catholic priests and Ph.D.s. And in order not to continually play into the manipulating hands of the New Paganism of Modernism, then a complete, formal, unambiguous condemnation of Communion in the hand and Extraordinary Ministers is our leaders only true Catholic option. In his letter, of February 24, 1980, the Pope restated the Churchs teaching that. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the the traditional practice of receiving Holy Communion only on the tongue. Communion on the tongue certainly dates back to the earliest centuries of Church history, and possibly back to the time of the Apostles. Which was the first Sci-Fi story to predict obnoxious "robo calls"? After the Second Vatican Council, a very wise Archbishop shrewdly observed that the masterstroke of satan was to sow disobedience to Catholic tradition through obedience. There are some that claim that it was practiced up until the 6th Century and even cite a passage of St. Cyril to substantiate this assertion. In the These countries hadnt been given permission to even ask for this indult. St. Marculf: Saint of the Day for Monday, May 01, 2023, To Saint Peregrine: Prayer of the Day for Monday, May 01, 2023. But the introduction of Communion in the hand and lay ministers of the Eucharist shows an arrogant disregard for what our fathers taught us. But the bishops, rather than do their duty and condemn the abuse, Because Church leaders allowed the abuse to go unchecked, the practice then spread to Germany, Belgium and France. It is obvious that no priest can be lawfully forced to administer Communion in the hand, and we must pray that more priests will have the courage to safeguard the reverence due to this Sacrament, and not be trapped into a false obedience that causes them to cooperate in the degradation of Christ in the Eucharist. recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. Understandably, this is a significant deviation from long-cherished tradition for many Catholics. OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF. Each and every priest in the Roman Rite had to follow them with unyielding precision. Shortly after Vatican II, due to the escalating abuses . In all sixteen documents of Vatican II, there is no mention of Communion in the hand, nor was it mentioned during any of the debates during the Council. In summary, the letters (which can be found in Michael Davies, ) stated that Rome has received many complaints of abuses regarding Extraordinary Ministers. Tarsicius or Tarcisius was a martyr of the early Christian church who lived in the 3rd century. With your hand hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer Amen. In other words, the real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is just a Papist superstition, and that the bread is just bread and anybody can handle it. During this time of COVID and the restrictions that come with it, some bishops and parishes are requiring Catholics to accept Communion on the hand, rather than on the tongue. He died taking the Eucharist to the faithful who were held either in prisons for their faith or to homes of the faithful. The real sacrilege here would be in receiving Our Lord while in the state of mortal sin! But for us, through the grace of God, it is no puzzle. Some of the rubrics in the Old Latin Mass are as follows: These are only some of the rubrics incorporated into the Old Mass. Both ways are permitted within the Ordinary Form of the Mass. It has some merit to it! Nation May 19, 2020 12:41 PM EDT. Given the living tradition of the Church, which highlights the most ancient practice of receiving Holy Communion in the hand, the Archbishop has the authority to instruct the faithful to receive Holy Communion in the hand during this time of Pandemic, with no exceptions. Humanae Vitae rightly reaffirmed the Churchs teaching against contraception. For whoever eats and drinks without While it's understandable the Apostles were worthy recipients of the Eucharist, Jesus was also modeling the Sacrament for future practice. Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual . When the number of the Faithful requesting Holy Communion is such that the celebration of the Mass or the distribution of the Eucharist outside Mass would be unduly prolonged. Will the Consecration of 2022 Fulfill Fatima? Priests could have done this, but it was deemed safe if the young lad went in their stead! If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Catholics want to know if it is allowed for their bishops and priests to require Communion be received only on in the hand instead of on the tongue. Pope John Paul II - Dominicae Cenae, 11. And the Council of Trent (1565) added, The fact that only the priest gives Holy Communion with his consecrated hands is an Apostolic Tradition.. And in instructions of this nature, lack of precision gives rise to wide interpretation, and wide interpretation gives rise to the establishment of an abuse under the appearance of fidelity to Church regulations. This is clearly a calculated abuse of classic Catholic terminology used to introduce a novelty into the New Mass that has no foundation in Church History or Catholic practice. An illustration can be given by the story of the Canadian bishops response to, rightly reaffirmed the Churchs teaching against contraception. Even once they became apostles sent out into the world after having received power from on high (Acts 2), they shuddered at the idea of being revered more than any other men. only in their mouths." For this is my blood of the covenant, The Protestants' establishment of Communion in the hand was their way of showing their rejection of belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, rejection of the Sacramental Priesthood in short, to show their rejection of Catholicism altogether. This phrase gives the impression that there could be room for Catholics to legitimately reject, So, whether they realized it or not, the bishops sabotaged their own pastoral letter, by giving a simultaneous red light and green light to rejection of the Papal Encyclical. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. The priest, a man who had been called by God and who had been specifically trained in the study and dispensing of the sacred mysteries had to step aside, either willingly or reluctantly, to allow unqualified, out-of-place, part-time dabblers to trespass and profane His sacred domain of sanctuary and altar. But the sense of the sacred has not been lost, it has been deliberately thrown away, run out of town on a rail, by the arrogant agents of the New Paganism of Modernism masquerading as Catholic reformers, who have introduced novel practices into the Church that demean the Eucharist, show contempt for tradition and for what our fathers taught us, and have led to a worldwide crisis of Faith of unprecedented proportions. The primary driver of concern is COVID. Naturally, liberal clergy in other countries (including ours) concluded that if this rebellion could be legalized in Holland, it could be legalized anywhere. What were the most popular text editors for MS-DOS in the 1980s? Then having partaken of the Body of Christ, approach also the cup of His blood; not extending your hands, but bending low and saying in the way of worship and reverence, Amen, be you sanctified by partaking, also of the blood of Christ. Catechetical Lecture 5. On September 21, 1987, a letter was sent from the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of the Sacraments through the proper channels to a number of Episcopal Conferences, including the American Bishops, on the subject of Extraordinary Ministers. What is the proper way of receiving Communion in the hand? It is not permitted that the faithful should themselves pick up the consecrated bread and the sacred chalice, still less that they should hand them from one to another. People! Is it allowed to receive the Precious Blood before the Body of Christ in a Catholic Mass? However some may believe otherwise. At the end of Mass, the priest scrapes the corporal with the paten, and cleans it into the chalice so that if the slightest Particle was left, It would be collected and reverently consumed. First of all, it is not an act of disloyalty or disobedience to question the wisdom of the document in the first place, particularly when this permission is a revolution against all the pre-Vatican II rubrics that existed for centuries rubrics that existed for reasons of reverence, to safeguard against desecration and that were a matter of Catholic common sense. Theyve taken the distribution of Christs Body, something so sacred that it belongs to the priest alone, and turned it into a childish reward for good behavior: like a merit badge that would be given to a cub scout for swimming a mile or building a wigwam, or like a star that would be placed on the forehead of a third-grade girl because shes the only one in class who could correctly spell Czechoslovakia. St. In his 1931 essay on The New Paganism, the great Catholic historian Hilaire Belloc warned of the post-Christian Paganism that was to come. At other times Christians gathered together openly in each others homes or in house churches for the Eucharist though Mass was not celebrated publicly as it is in our own time. A few countries had already illicitly allowed Communion in the hand.