Communion Rails

[dUSt]

I like communion rails. Even if they are not used, I see them more as an invitation to kneel rather than a fence. In other words, I feel like they say, "come, kneel before Jesus" rather than, "stay away from Jesus".

[beatitude]

I love them. I don't think that they make Jesus feel shut off. They enhance the feeling of sacredness for me by demarcating the sanctuary as a very special place. In my local church in England (a stunning one, designed by Pugin, that attracts a lot of tourists) a group of tourists trooped in once as I was praying and started wandering around the sanctuary, getting behind the altar, climbing the stairs up to the little hidden platform where the priest goes to expose the Blessed Sacrament. Part of me felt as though someone had walked in on me naked in the bath, as though they were invading a personal space. The other part was wondering how they felt able to do that. Didn't they sense what this place was?

As for receiving on the tongue, I like the theory, but I prefer to use my hands. I have a condition similar to cerebral palsy, and it affects my face - when the priest places the host on my tongue I'm always afraid that I won't be able to make my mouth shut in time and the host will fall out. It's OK if there's a patten, but often there isn't. It's safer if I do it myself, as I know I need to place the host really far back. Obviously the priest can't do that, unless he wants his hand covered in spit and toothmarks.

Edited May 28, 2012 by beatitude

[BigJon16]

My parish doesn't have one, but the way that the altar is designed still allows for the sanctuary to be in a prominent place.

Our "sister" parish, which is under the same Pastor as us, has an altar rail. It's razzle dazzle.

IMO, I like it either way.

[Hubertus]

In the past when it was all altar rail, and everyone received kneeling, what was done for those who couldn't physically kneel? I hadn't thought of this question before..

Other than that, I love them, and don't see why they shouldn't be used in every church, everywhere. The Eucharist is the focal point of the Mass, so the more reverence we give to Him in the Eucharist the more general reverence (less talking, more modest and respectful dress, more praying, etc) there will be in the church. And as the God of the Universe, we can't give Him too much reverence.

[Rowan d'Alexandre]

I'm with the majority of the peeps here....I really like when the rail is used. Visually it makes the altar more prominent. And it encourages people to kneel while they receive, which I like as well.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Rowan d'Alexandre

[Aloysius]

[quote name='Hubertus' timestamp='1338226258' post='2436427']
In the past when it was all altar rail, and everyone received kneeling, what was done for those who couldn't physically kneel? I hadn't thought of this question before..

Other than that, I love them, and don't see why they shouldn't be used in every church, everywhere. The Eucharist is the focal point of the Mass, so the more reverence we give to Him in the Eucharist the more general reverence (less talking, more modest and respectful dress, more praying, etc) there will be in the church. And as the God of the Universe, we can't give Him too much reverence.
[/quote]I attend Latin mass where communion is only offered on the tongue to those who kneel (if there was doubt before, Universae Ecclesiae paragraph 28 has pretty well established that at the Extraordinary Form communion may be offered exclusively to those who kneel on the tongue, the in-the-hand indult does not apply in the Extraordinary Form according to UE 28 which establishes a special law surrounding the liturgical norms of the Extraordinary Form), and there are a few people who physically cannot kneel, and I've never seen it present a problem. they stand and the priest reaches over the rail, if they are able they lean over the rail but the priest can lean over as well; or else they go to the edge of the altar rail where the doors are--if their condition requires it, the priest will certainly open the doors and come out to offer communion to them. and as in all churches there is the longstanding practice of the priest coming straight to the pew of anyone who is unable to come to the front.

I understand that people with a physical incapability of kneeling can feel apprehensive about a Church with an altar rail where kneeling is the only normative option, but I promise I have seen it go very smoothly for those who must stand. it is attempting to receive in the hand that would cause a problem at a Traditional Latin Mass, standing when you have to is totally acceptable. if you're apprehensive, introducing yourself and explain the situation to the priest and ask what is the best way for you to approach.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

My home church (even though I cannot attend anymore since I've moved, it is still my home church) has them, but they are cutoff in the center. They are still there in front of the Tabernacle (to the left of the altar) and in front of the Mary shrine (to the right of the altar). The other parts were removed after Vatican II. They are practical where they are, so people can genuflect infront of the tabernacle but can have something to kneel on (we had a lot of older folks at this church), and they can pray in front of Mary if they desire.

I agree that I find them separating of the altar and the people (does this make sense?). However, in this church there was a CLEAR divide as to what was where the congregation was and where the priest and ministers were. Everyone knew where it was appropriate to be and where it wasn't.

[dominicansoul]

Back in the day when everyone received kneeling at the altar rail... how did the priest get through distributing Holy Communion all by himself?

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1338237618' post='2436520']
Back in the day when everyone received kneeling at the altar rail... how did the priest get through distributing Holy Communion all by himself?
[/quote]Very quickly, if the Oratorians are any indication. Only one priest there as far as I remember, with a server.

[Papist]

[quote name='Aloysius' timestamp='1338233313' post='2436483']
I attend Latin mass where communion is only offered on the tongue to those who kneel (if there was doubt before, Universae Ecclesiae paragraph 28 has pretty well established that at the Extraordinary Form communion may be offered exclusively to those who kneel on the tongue, the in-the-hand indult does not apply in the Extraordinary Form according to UE 28 which establishes a special law surrounding the liturgical norms of the Extraordinary Form), and there are a few people who physically cannot kneel, and I've never seen it present a problem. they stand and the priest reaches over the rail, if they are able they lean over the rail but the priest can lean over as well; or else they go to the edge of the altar rail where the doors are--if their condition requires it, the priest will certainly open the doors and come out to offer communion to them. and as in all churches there is the longstanding practice of the priest coming straight to the pew of anyone who is unable to come to the front.

I understand that people with a physical incapability of kneeling can feel apprehensive about a Church with an altar rail where kneeling is the only normative option, but I promise I have seen it go very smoothly for those who must stand. it is attempting to receive in the hand that would cause a problem at a Traditional Latin Mass, standing when you have to is totally acceptable. if you're apprehensive, introducing yourself and explain the situation to the priest and ask what is the best way for you to approach.
[/quote]

Couldn't the EMHC take communion to the person in the pew. Seriously, assuming these Traditional Latin Masses are Catholic. How can receiving standing and/or in hand, an approved form, be denied? I don't doubt what you say is true, I would like to how this is. Does the Traditional Latin Mass has a separate GIRM? Are you saying it is explained in Universae Ecclesiae?

ps, you post too much.


[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1338237618' post='2436520']
Back in the day when everyone received kneeling at the altar rail... how did the priest get through distributing Holy Communion all by himself?
[/quote]

Just guessing, parishes were much smaller. Or perhaps the people did not mind a 90 minute mass. This probably before football was invented.

[Archaeology cat]

Papist, I think receiving in the hand is an indult that was only extended to the NO Mass, but I could be wrong.

I know at the Oxford Oratory, it's not especially small, and Mass wasn't 90 minutes. We received under one species, the priest would go from one end to the other, with the server following with a paten, and it went super quick. Faster than most parishes do with EMHCs, really. This was a NO Mass. I also went to a Traditional Latin Mass there, but arrived a little late unfortunately.

[AnneLine]

I can remember the way communion was done when rails and kneeling where more common.... Most of the times about 4 other priests coming out to distribute communion at the altar rail, vested in cassocks, surplices and stoles, and EACH of them had an altar boy (terminology from those times) following along with a patten. The first at the altar knelt at the rail, and a second 'wave' of people stood behind them just in front of the first pew. As each person received, they immediatly got up and went back to their places, and the next person behind them moved into the empty slot, and the line down the aisles moved into the 'waiting row' behind the kneeling communicants. That took about the same amount of time as now, but now there aren't the priests avaialble....

Occsionally it would be just one priest, and then it did take forever, but people were more aware of the reality that the Mass is out of time, and takes as long as it takes....Unfortunately, this probably wouldn't happen these days...

As far as the disabled access question... I do remember when my mom was still alive (and she died in 1989, so this would have been around 1985-7), one of the older priests had a fit and literrally scolded her for about a minute, loudly, because she wouldn't kneel to receive.... she had just had a broken hip repaired, and he didn't seem to think her cane was enough evidence..... the other priests knew about the surgery, but obviously this priest didn't.

In my humble opinion, would have been a good time to let her receive our Lord and ask questions later....

(Side thought... knowing my mother, had it NOT been a communion rail and her about to receive communion.... she probably would have wacked him with her cane....especially if she hadn't seen his collar.) She was a tough lady!

[Hubertus]

[quote name='Papist' timestamp='1338240394' post='2436548']
Seriously, assuming these Traditional Latin Masses are Catholic. How can receiving standing and/or in hand, an approved form, be denied? I don't doubt what you say is true, I would like to how this is. Does the Traditional Latin Mass has a separate GIRM? Are you saying it is explained in Universae Ecclesiae?[/quote]
Just a guess, but this might have something to do with it (the experiment part):
[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiUqDa_Gzj0[/media]
The video might talk about it, but I think I remember hearing that they can deny reception in the hand if there is a risk of profanation of the Eucharist, i.e. crumbs falling to the floor.

[quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1338237618' post='2436520']
Back in the day when everyone received kneeling at the altar rail... how did the priest get through distributing Holy Communion all by himself?
[/quote] It actually goes a lot faster, from my experience. The priest gets to quickly move down the line (in the case of a long rail), instead of having to stand and wait for each person to move and the next person to walk up. Plus, you can remain kneeling for a few seconds longer in prayer, instead of having to immediately leg it. It makes it much less stressful, once you get it down.

[KnightofChrist]

[quote name='Papist' timestamp='1338240394' post='2436548']
Just guessing, parishes were much smaller. Or perhaps the people did not mind a 90 minute mass. This probably before football was invented.
[/quote]

The Latin Mass I attend has about the same number of laity as the Novus Ordo Mass which I also attend. The time it takes all the laity in both parishes is about 15 - 20 minutes with the Latin Mass communion time taking less time on average.

It really doesn't matter to me how long it takes to receive Christ at Mass. But it is a common misunderstanding that communion time at a Latin Mass takes longer than at a Novus Ordo when it seems to be the other way around.

And yes the Latin Mass has a different set of rubrics than the Novus Ordo. The PCED made clear that communion on the hand is not permitted at a Latin Mass.

[Papist]

[quote name='Archaeology cat' timestamp='1338240759' post='2436553']
Papist, I think receiving in the hand is an indult that was only extended to the NO Mass, but I could be wrong.

I know at the Oxford Oratory, it's not especially small, and Mass wasn't 90 minutes. We received under one species, the priest would go from one end to the other, with the server following with a paten, and it went super quick. Faster than most parishes do with EMHCs, really. This was a NO Mass. I also went to a Traditional Latin Mass there, but arrived a little late unfortunately.
[/quote]

Thanks. The indult makes sense. I just pulled 90 minutes out of the air really to point out people get upset if the mass goes longer than 1 hour.

[Lil Red]

i keep reading this as "Communist Rails"

[KnightofChrist]

Excellent post Hubertus. Here is a clip of a EWTN interview with Bishop Schneider where the dangers of receiving communion on the hand as it is practiced today. ie the flaking of the Host, unclean hands, the fact that the modern practice began in rebellion and is not connected with the early Church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jii6NCfTW68

[Papist]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' timestamp='1338242669' post='2436580']
The Latin Mass I attend has about the same number of laity as the Novus Ordo Mass which I also attend. The time it takes all the laity in both parishes is about 15 - 20 minutes with the Latin Mass communion time taking less time on average.

It really doesn't matter to me how long it takes to receive Christ at Mass. But it is a common misunderstanding that communion time at a Latin Mass takes longer than at a Novus Ordo when it seems to be the other way around.

And yes the Latin Mass has a different set of rubrics than the Novus Ordo. The PCED made clear that communion on the hand is not permitted at a Latin Mass.
[/quote]

Thanks. It does stand to reason that not having all the EMHCs would eliminate much time, not otherwise needed. The celebrant would not have to take the time to hand out the vessels to the EMHC and spend time cleaning all of them. Not to mention eliminating potential abuse, such as EMHC self administering, which I have witnessed.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is the PCED?

[MissScripture]

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



[/quote]
I read it that way, today, and I had already read it the correct way.

[Papist]

[quote name='Hubertus' timestamp='1338241684' post='2436568']
Just a guess, but this might have something to do with it (the experiment part):
[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiUqDa_Gzj0[/media]
The video might talk about it, but I think I remember hearing that they can deny reception in the hand if there is a risk of profanation of the Eucharist, i.e. crumbs falling to the floor.

It actually goes a lot faster, from my experience. The priest gets to quickly move down the line (in the case of a long rail), instead of having to stand and wait for each person to move and the next person to walk up. Plus, you can remain kneeling for a few seconds longer in prayer, instead of having to immediately leg it. It makes it much less stressful, once you get it down.
[/quote]

Thanks. This was good.