Reconsidering Communion In The Hand

[jenna311]

[quote name='praying4carmel' post='1458704' date='Feb 10 2008, 06:26 PM']Why Not use some unconsecrated hosts and practice in RCIA?[/quote]


I vaguely remember doing this at my practice for my First Communion....

I started receiving on the tongue about a year ago. Now it would feel weird if I didn't.

I know that when I received my first Communion, they told us you could receive either way but only really showed us how to do so in our hands.

[Laudate_Dominum]

Cool avatar fiat.

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='VaticanIILiturgist' post='1458221' date='Feb 9 2008, 11:19 AM']"What pun?" "Shut up, he thinks he's witty!"

Just messing around...nothing personal![/quote]
Accident

[Laudate_Dominum]

Recent interview with Msgr. Ranjith: [url="http://www.papanews.it/dettaglio_interviste.asp?IdNews=5907#a"]http://www.papanews.it/dettaglio_intervist...p?IdNews=5907#a[/url]

Gregor Kollmorgen's translation from here: [url="http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com/2008/02/another-interview-with-archbishop.html"]http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.c...ar
hbishop.html[/url]


[b]B. Volpe[/b]: Your Excellency, unfortunately Holy Mass, in Italy and in various other parts of the World, continues not to be celebrated as it should be, with priests putting themselves at the centre of attention and inventing impromptu texts and rites that are absolutely not loyal to the Magisterium.

[b]Msgr. Ranjith[/b]: It is true, and I think it is really sad that some priests, fortunately not all, continue to abuse, with inexplicable extravagancies, the liturgy which, it should be remembered, is not their property but belongs to the Church.

[b]Volpe[/b]: Would you like to make a public appeal?

[b]Ranjith[/b]: I remind these priests that they must, and I stress must, respect the official liturgy of the Catholic Church. Enough with the abuses and the personal interpretations: Mass is not a spectacle, but sacrifice, gift and mystery. Not coincidentally the Holy Father Benedict XVI continually reminds us to celebrate the Eucharist with dignity and decorum.

[b]Volpe[/b]: We come to a practical case. Some priests indulge in homilies excessively long and not always attuned to the readings of the day.

[b]Ranjith[/b]: First of all I think that a good and healthy homily should never exceed 8-10 minutes; having said that it is necessary that the celebrant studies in depth the Gospel of the day and always stick to it, without flourishes or unnecessary turns of words. The homily is an integral and complementary part of the Eucharistic sacrifice, but must absolutely not dominate it.

[b]Volpe[/b]: Your Excellency, let us come to the question of Communion in the hand: What do you think about it?

[b]Ranjith[/b]: I 'simply' believe that this practice needs to be reviewed. How to do it? To begin with, a good catechesis. You know, unfortunately, many are not even aware of Whom they receive in the Communion, that is Christ, and so approach the Eucharistic banquet with scarce concentration and very little respect.

[b]Volpe[/b]: Specifically, what needs to be done?

[b]Ranjith[/b]: We need to recover the sense of the sacred. I speak only for myself, but I am convinced of the urgency of reviewing the practice of Communion given in the hand, returning to giving the particle to the faithful directly in the mouth, without them touching it, reinforcing thereby that in the Eucharist there is really Jesus and that everyone must receive Him with devotion, love and respect.

[b]Volpe[/b]: Would it not be appropriate to return to kneeling at the moment of Communion?

[b]Ranjith[/b]: I think so. This gesture would represent a true act of respect towards the gift and the mystery of the Eucharist.

[b]Volpe[/b]: But some, even inside the Church, seem to express “embarrassment” only at the idea of seeing restored kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament.

[b]Ranjith[/b]: Beyond the office I occupy in the Vatican, as a Catholic I ask mysself and wonder: why be ashamed of God? Kneeling at Communion would be an act of humility and recognition of our nature as children of God.

[Excelsior1027]

When I became Catholic a few years ago I was taught either to receive Holy Communion on the tongue or in the hand, no one really made a fuss over which way to do it. I used to receive Communion in the hand all the time, but since hearing all these encouragements from different people in the Vatican and also from others like Fr. Benedict Groeschel, I decided about a month ago that I'll only receive on the tongue now. Besides, I altar serve a lot and pretty much have to receive on the tongue when I do that because I'm already holding the server's paten. (Sp?)

Anyway, one thing that I did have more of an issue with when I was becoming Catholic was whether or not to genuflect before receiving Communion. I was never taught to do this, and according to my dad, my diocese (before I had decided to convert, so I didn't know anything about this until then) had encouraged people not to genuflect because the majority of people didn't do it and so it would be drawing attention to yourself. I thought about it thoroughly and finally decided to still genuflect, because quite honestly, it felt like the natural thing to do before receiving Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Several of my friends from my youth evangelization team genuflect as well, and one of them even stays down on one knee to receive Communion. Anyone have an opinion on whether this is actually drawing attention to yourself or being self-righteous? I'm already decided on this issue, but I'm curious to see if anyone else has heard this kind of thing.

Edited February 21, 2008 by Excelsior1027

[Laudate_Dominum]

I try to go to the extraordinary form exclusively but there is a novus ordo parish that I sometimes go to and there it is pretty normal to receive kneeling. They don't use the communion rail but a number of parishioners regularly kneel so it isn't a problem. I knelt once at a different parish without thinking about it and the priest flipped his wig and chewed me out in front of everyone. He called me a schismatic and a pharisee, et cetera and wouldn't let me get a word in so that I could explain that it is normal at my parish and I didn’t mean anything by it.

I highly doubt that people kneel to be self-righteous or to get attention. What I think is probably more common is that many people judge those who kneel or wear veils and assume they are SSPX or full of pride. In reality I think people do such things out of devotion and reverence for God and it has nothing to do with what people think. This issue is part of the reason why I try my best to simply avoid parishes and/or priests that aren’t traditional; it isn’t worth the trouble and quite frankly such parishes are disedifying and often creepy to me. I vehemently reject the perverse, desacralizing novus ordo ideology and by participating in such celebrations I feel as though I’m assenting to it or at least being lukewarm about it. Fortunately the novus ordo parish near me is pretty solid and reverent. Of course my real parish is best for me since everyone receives on the tongue while kneeling at the communion rail so the issue you speak of does not even exist. I prefer this because I can go to Mass without ever having to give such petty concerns a thought and I don't have to worry that there will be asinine surprises in the Mass which often happens to me when I go to novus ordo Masses at different parishes.

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1466845' date='Feb 21 2008, 05:41 PM']I try to go to the extraordinary form exclusively but there is a novus ordo parish that I sometimes go to and there it is pretty normal to receive kneeling. They don't use the communion rail but a number of parishioners regularly kneel so it isn't a problem. I knelt once at a different parish without thinking about it and the priest flipped his wig and chewed me out in front of everyone. He called me a schismatic and a pharisee, et cetera and wouldn't let me get a word in so that I could explain that it is normal at my parish and I didn't mean anything by it.

I highly doubt that people kneel to be self-righteous or to get attention. What I think is probably more common is that many people judge those who kneel or wear veils and assume they are SSPX or full of pride. In reality I think people do such things out of devotion and reverence for God and it has nothing to do with what people think. This issue is part of the reason why I try my best to simply avoid parishes and/or priests that aren't traditional; it isn't worth the trouble and quite frankly such parishes are disedifying and often creepy to me. I vehemently reject the perverse, desacralizing novus ordo ideology and by participating in such celebrations I feel as though I'm assenting to it or at least being lukewarm about it. Fortunately the novus ordo parish near me is pretty solid and reverent. Of course my real parish is best for me since everyone receives on the tongue while kneeling at the communion rail so the issue you speak of does not even exist. I prefer this because I can go to Mass without ever having to give such petty concerns a thought and I don't have to worry that there will be asinine surprises in the Mass which often happens to me when I go to novus ordo Masses at different parishes.[/quote]
Did you get communion? I never would have guessed that certain actions of reverence would draw anger. I think I woulda chewed the priest out there on the spot myself, questioning whether he believed Catholic tennants or not and ask if he's faithful to the pope and his teachings.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' post='1466852' date='Feb 21 2008, 06:50 PM']Did you get communion? I never would have guessed that certain actions of reverence would draw anger. I think I woulda chewed the priest out there on the spot myself, questioning whether he believed Catholic tennants or not and ask if he's faithful to the pope and his teachings.[/quote]
Yeah, but only after deliberation and in a disturbing way (basically he slammed the host down on my tongue in an aggressive way and said "Body of Christ" real loud in a nasty tone). The sense I got from his statements is that he thinks the presence of Christ in the people is more important (or at least more "real") than the Eucharist. Funny since you would think this would make a person a bit more reverent towards other people. haha
Oh, and when I was praying after Mass he ambushed me and kicked me out of his parish. This episode was of course accompanied by more flaming verbiage and no interest in hearing where I was coming from.
I have a friend who was booted from a different parish for exactly the same thing except he was all out refused Communion when he knelt.
I have had tons of creepy experiences at non-traditional parishes which is why I don't bother with them if I can help it. I can find Protestant churches that express the religion I believe in more clearly. All I can say is thank God for the motu proprio.

[Excelsior1027]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1466845' date='Feb 21 2008, 05:41 PM']... Fortunately the novus ordo parish near me is pretty solid and reverent. Of course my real parish is best for me since everyone receives on the tongue while kneeling at the communion rail so the issue you speak of does not even exist. I prefer this because I can go to Mass without ever having to give such petty concerns a thought and I don't have to worry that there will be asinine surprises in the Mass which often happens to me when I go to novus ordo Masses at different parishes.[/quote]
Same here, my parish pastor keeps everything very traditional and reverent, even uses Latin in the Mass (like you're supposed to), though we don't kneel on the communion rail. I don't like it when I have to miss Mass there and go to the only late Mass at a different parish, which just isn't the same...one time they had an altar cloth that looked like a quilt my grandma might have.

Edited February 21, 2008 by Excelsior1027

[Laudate_Dominum]

Hehe, yeah, I can't wait for the legacy of the 1970's to go bye-bye.

[Noel's angel]

Those are some scary stories. I would find it hard to believe them if they hadn't come from people I know are honest.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1466871' date='Feb 21 2008, 07:12 PM']Those are some scary stories. I would find it hard to believe them if they hadn't come from people I know are honest.[/quote]
The sad part is that my description does not come close to doing justice to the full insanity of that experience.

[Noel's angel]

I often wonder what is in their heads when people do things like that? Who do they think they are and why do they think it's their right to do these things? It's crazy.

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1466856' date='Feb 21 2008, 10:53 PM']Yeah, but only after deliberation and in a disturbing way (basically he slammed the host down on my tongue in an aggressive way and said "Body of Christ" real loud in a nasty tone). The sense I got from his statements is that he thinks the presence of Christ in the people is more important (or at least more "real") than the Eucharist. Funny since you would think this would make a person a bit more reverent towards other people. haha
Oh, and when I was praying after Mass he ambushed me and kicked me out of his parish. This episode was of course accompanied by more flaming verbiage and no interest in hearing where I was coming from.
I have a friend who was booted from a different parish for exactly the same thing except he was all out refused Communion when he knelt.
I have had tons of creepy experiences at non-traditional parishes which is why I don't bother with them if I can help it. I can find Protestant churches that express the religion I believe in more clearly. All I can say is thank God for the motu proprio.[/quote]

That's horrible!

I do think it would be nice if my parish started using our communion rail, though.

[T-Bone _]

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1466889' date='Feb 21 2008, 04:33 PM']1. I often wonder what is in their heads when people do things like that? 2. Who do they think they are and 3. why do they think it's their right to do these things? It's crazy.[/quote]

1. Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me.

2. God.

3. See 2.

[Mr.Cat]

Personally I have been receiving for some time now Holy Communion on the tongue while kneeling. I have not received any “uncharitable” comments on this so far, other than from family, but I have received Holy Communion in such a manner from the hands of our Local Bishop. Being still young and agile it is something that I do not have much problem with. I would desire however to see Holy Communion return to a more dignified and pious decorum in a similar manner in the Latin Rite of the Church.

Edited February 22, 2008 by Mr.CatholicCat

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1466856' date='Feb 21 2008, 05:53 PM']Yeah, but only after deliberation and in a disturbing way (basically he slammed the host down on my tongue in an aggressive way and said "Body of Christ" real loud in a nasty tone). The sense I got from his statements is that he thinks the presence of Christ in the people is more important (or at least more "real") than the Eucharist. Funny since you would think this would make a person a bit more reverent towards other people. haha
Oh, and when I was praying after Mass he ambushed me and kicked me out of his parish. This episode was of course accompanied by more flaming verbiage and no interest in hearing where I was coming from.
I have a friend who was booted from a different parish for exactly the same thing except he was all out refused Communion when he knelt.
I have had tons of creepy experiences at non-traditional parishes which is why I don't bother with them if I can help it. I can find Protestant churches that express the religion I believe in more clearly. All I can say is thank God for the motu proprio.[/quote]

That's terrible. Seriously, he needs to get a reality check.

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' post='1466869' date='Feb 21 2008, 06:08 PM']Hehe, yeah, I can't wait for the legacy of the 1970's to go bye-bye.[/quote]
I'm waiting in anticipation

[quote name='Noel's angel' post='1466871' date='Feb 21 2008, 06:12 PM']Those are some scary stories. I would find it hard to believe them if they hadn't come from people I know are honest.[/quote]

True dat.

[Deb]

That priest sounds like a lunatic. I would freak out if a priest talked to me like that. We bow before we receive the host and I take it on my tongue. I would love to go back to kneeling to receive communion. Too many old coots though for that to happen.