Communion Rails

[dells_of_bittersweet]

I went to a Latin Mass today. Latin Mass isn't my thing, but I did love receiving from the communion rail. It felt so much more holy!

However, I have mixed feelings about them. It feels to me that they rope off Jesus and make him seem not approachable. A parish near me that doesn't use it anymore recently had it removed. It made the liturgy seem much closer and personal. So I guess the way I feel about it is, they are great if used, and a nuisance if not used.

Does this make me a monster liberal?

[Papist]

That never crossed my mind of unused communion rails. I like communion rails, but I would never to people they had to use them.

[Annie12]

I like communion rails in that they make the person receive on the tongue. I used to receive by hand until I randomly started to receive by the tongue. I was more reverent and it forced me to realize that Christ is TRULY present in the Eucharist. So, I like them. (at my parish they have a kneeler which I find to be totally razzle dazzle!)

[mortify]

[quote name='dells_of_bittersweet' timestamp='1338171256' post='2436083']
However, I have mixed feelings about them. It feels to me that they rope off Jesus and make him seem not approachable. A parish near me that doesn't use it anymore recently had it removed. It made the liturgy seem much closer and personal. So I guess the way I feel about it is, they are great if used, and a nuisance if not used.
[/quote]

Kind of hard to criticize disciplines that are over a thousand years old

[dells_of_bittersweet]

[quote name='mortify' timestamp='1338172529' post='2436107']
Kind of hard to criticize disciplines that are over a thousand years old
[/quote]

I am saying use it or lose it, more or less. I am not criticizing its use. In the Latin Mass, its great. If its the Novus Ordo and its still used, great. But if it is a Novus Ordo Mass where you just process in a line and you receive standing, I'd rather not have a communion rail because I feel that it fences Jesus in.

Edited May 28, 2012 by dells_of_bittersweet

[CatherineM]

Since I am physically incapable of kneeling, I don't like them.

[qfnol31]

Sometimes altar rails are worthwhile to keep people out of the sanctuary. I've had some weird experiences with people trying to rush at the altar.

[Tally Marx]

[quote name='dells_of_bittersweet' timestamp='1338173904' post='2436134']


I am saying use it or lose it, more or less. I am not criticizing its use. In the Latin Mass, its great. If its the Novus Ordo and its still used, great. But if it is a Novus Ordo Mass where you just process in a line and you receive standing, I'd rather not have a communion rail because I feel that it fences Jesus in.
[/quote]

My parish church has never used a communion rail, but one was installed a few years ago. It is very beautiful. I never felt that it "fenced Jesus in". This may be because of the way our altar is shaped and the fact that the large gap in the rail (for walking, of course) leaves nearly the entire altar rail-less. But, no, I have never had a problem with it; I actually like it. We do not use it for communion, which negates the point, I suppose, by I pray my Rosary at it all the time. I like it.




(Edite: confusion with the subject and direct object; you know how that goes...)

Edited May 28, 2012 by Tally Marx

[Groo the Wanderer]

i like that they separate the pews from the sanctuary. discourages people from tromping through there like its just another aisle.

some feeling of reverence for the altar was lost when they were removed

[Maximilianus]

I like them.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Maximilianus

[dominicansoul]

i like them, but i haven't seen many in a long time....

[kujo]

I think they're razzle dazzle.

[Lil'Monster]

I read "Communion Rails" as "Cinnamon Rolls"

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Lil'Monster' timestamp='1338180231' post='2436226']
I read "Communion Rails" as "Cinnamon Rolls"



[/quote]

i think you are tired from the retreat. go.to.bed.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Lil Red

[mortify]

Priests used to prayer before entering the sanctuary, now we've lost all sense of sacred space

[MissScripture]

Our church doesn't have a communion rail, but for the kids taking first communion last weekend, they had a predieu. Most kids still received on the hand, while kneeling.

[cappie]

Of course, "communion in the hand" is a misnomer. We receive the Eucharist on our tongue. We may choose to have the minister place it on our tongue, or we may choose to place it there ourselves. In some Byzantine Rite Churches, the priest administers communion on the tongue in the form of bread and wine combined, using a golden spoon, while the communicant is standing. Anglican Use churches of the Latin Rite, churches using the mass of the 1962 Roman Missal, and some others still use the communion rail; other Churches and Rites use a variety of methods to distribute the Eucharist. All are equally valid as long as whichever method in use is authorized for that congregation at that time.

It is my personal opinion that a Latin Rite Catholic church should have a communion rail, and the Tabernacle should be located inside the rail.

BTW The GIRM states in #295. The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, where the word of God is proclaimed, and where the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers exercise their offices. It should suitably be marked off from the body of the church either by its being somewhat elevated or by a particular structure and ornamentation."

[Archaeology cat]

I love them. My current parish doesn't have one. When I went to the Oxford Oratory, they have the rail, and some received on the tongue from the priest, and some did it themselves after the priest placed the Host on their hands. I would think there would be a way to accommodate those who cannot physically kneel, even with the rails.

[EmilyAnn]

I've never been to a parish that had them, when I went to a Traditional Latin Mass we just knelt on the edge of the steps to the sanctuary. And I usually get blasted for this but I have no great love for kneeling to receive the Eucharist. To me, kneeling is a posture for prayer and meditation and I do not think of kneeling as a posture of respect. For me, bowing is more a sign of respect than kneeling. That is a purely cultural thing I picked up from living in South East Asia. So I make a profound bow as I approach for Communion and am quite happy receiving standing.

Does this make me any less of a Catholic than someone who kneels? No it does not and I get very annoyed when people act like they are spiritually superior because of it. If kneeling or receiving on the tongue or whatever is what you feel best with then great but don't judge others for feeling differently. If it is permitted by the Church then you have no place criticising it. (Not directed at anyone in particular this is just something I feel very strongly about).

[dominicansoul]

I like the very ornate ones the most:



[img]http://mundabor.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/altar-rail.jpg[/img]


oooh, especially the marble ones (but these are kinda cold to the touch when you kneel on 'em)

[img]http://ogtstore.com/images/products/preview/g137105.jpg[/img]