Proposal To Try To End Communion In The Hand

[Resurrexi]

"But surely the apostles received Communion in the hand at the last supper? It is usually presumed that this was so. Even if it were, though, we would point out that the apostles were themselves priests, or even, bishops.
But we must not forget a traditional practice of middle-eastern hospitality, which was practiced in Jesus' time and which is still the case: one feeds one's guests with one's own hand, placing a symbolic morsel in the mouth of the guest. And we have scriptural evidence of this as well: our Lord dipped a morsel of bread into some wine, and gave it to Judas. Did he place this wet morsel into Judas's hand? That would be rather messy. Did he not perhaps extend to the one whom he addressed later in the garden as "Friend" the gesture of hospitality spoken of above? And if so, why not with Holy Communion, "giving himself by his own hand." ( [url="http://www.catholic-pages.com/mass/inhand.asp"]http://www.catholic-pages.com/mass/inhand.asp[/url] )

Additionally, the picture of the Last Supper in the Compendium Catechism of the Catholic Church is of our Lord distributing Communion to an apostle on the tongue.

If I recall correctly, also, the visions of Blessed Catherine Anne Emmerich describe Christ distributing Communion on the tongue.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='BG45' post='1870618' date='May 18 2009, 09:47 PM']I know in many places they don't even teach how to receive on the tongue. Personally I never have, but I make an effort prior to Mass to wash my hands in a more complete way than I do at any time of the week.[/quote]
I was never taught, and because of that I feel really uncomfortable suddenly deciding to do it. If I knew how, and if I had at least done it once or twice before, I think I would switch, but I was never shown.

[Maximilianus]

It's pretty easy, open your mouth and say "ahh"... just kidding don't say ahh.

Edited May 19, 2009 by Maximilianus

[BG45]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1870646' date='May 19 2009, 12:34 AM']I was never taught, and because of that I feel really uncomfortable suddenly deciding to do it. If I knew how, and if I had at least done it once or twice before, I think I would switch, but I was never shown. [/quote]

Ditto, I was told how to, but I've never been shown. Fr. in RCIA was telling us that it was a shame, but he maybe had one or two people a year receive on the tongue.

And Ressurexi, thanks for the info.

[Nihil Obstat]

I only see one, and at most two people per week recieve on the tongue. Our sacramental prep is rushed and not particularly effective, I think. I guess there's only one way to start recieving that way though.....

[Resurrexi]

Have your brother/sister/parent try putting a coagulated Che.ese-It on your tongue next Saturday for practice.

Edited May 19, 2009 by Resurrexi

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1870655' date='May 18 2009, 10:50 PM']Have your brother/sister/parent try putting a coagulated Che.ese-It on your tongue next Saturday for practice.[/quote]
They already think I'm a rad trad. Except they don't know what a rad trad is, so they assume that it's basically the same as a fundementalist.

I'm rolling my eyes right now.

[Shpout]

I find this all very interesting! I only recently heard people say that recieving in the hands is not good or respectful. I was never taught this and honestly I dont see how it is such a huge debate. I love making a cup with my hands to cradle Jesus before fully recieving, I have rarely seen hosts make 'crubs' as I have heard people say. maybe this is a cultural difference, but recieving in the hands never once made me see the Eucharist as less than God in true presence. I also respect recieving on the tongue, I can understand that it would feel more respectul in a sense. This is pretty new to me, and I find it all very interesting but I do not htink it is cause for seperation among people in the Church. Also I feel that if it was a great 'problem' the Pope would be very open to hearing from us and would do what is necessary.
I must admit that personally I am happy that the mass is not fully in Latin anymore even though there is a true beauty there. it is nice to be able to hear the word of God in a language you can understand and pass on easily to others.

anywayyy I am just rambling.....

[Shpout]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1870637' date='May 18 2009, 10:18 PM']The Youtube desecrations were so sad

I might add, though, we have no way of knowing if the Apostles received Communion in the hand at the last supper. The Church's [b]t[/b]radition seems to favor that they received on the tongue.[/quote]

I hadnt thought about that! This then makes sense to recieve on the tongue to help keep our Jesus safe, but I have noticed that the people/priests handing out Communion d onot give to the enxt person until they see you put into your mouth. I was very relieved to notice this, thoguh it took me a second! lol!!
This is such an interesting subject!

[Nihil Obstat]

Speaking of crumbs, I never even thought about that until coming to Phatmass. Then I realize that I really should be checking.
Then I realized that usually there's two or three small particles left over. So I hold my hands really still until I get back to the pew and can pray for a while, and I make sure to consume them.

[Mercy me]

I have to agree with the others who have responded that they don't feel right petitioning the Pope. God made him the shepherd of the Catholic Church. Who am I to correct him? I owe him my obedience.

[puellapaschalis]

[quote name='Brother Vinny' post='1870539' date='May 19 2009, 02:51 AM']I'll add my voice, even though my personal preference is to receive in the hand [i]and[/i] I understand the theological underpinnings of the reasoning that allowed for reception in the hand (after all, the very first Lord's Supper was received by hand).

This has to go beyond my personal preference, though. When reports of finding hosts left on or under pews after Mass are heard, and when an atheist can desecrate the Body of Christ and YouTube the whole thing, it's clear we've made a wrong turn somewhere.

So, I'm in.[/quote]

Kudos to you for this post

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Mercy me' post='1870712' date='May 19 2009, 12:32 AM']I have to agree with the others who have responded that they don't feel right petitioning the Pope. God made him the shepherd of the Catholic Church. Who am I to correct him? I owe him my obedience.[/quote]

I guess St. Catherine of Sienna was a pretty horrible Catholic, then.

[jiyoung]

There's a tradition of the lay faithful petitioning the Pope, such as with asking for the declaration of dogma in regards to the Assumption--it's not forcing his hand. Doing so respects his authority because we're asking him. However, by petitioning, we simply try to bring something to the forefront and speed up the process, but we leave it to him and his discretion. It wouldn't even be asking to change the tradition, but only to lift an indult--to no longer allow an exception that was once made for whatever reasons. We'd be asking him to go back to the original tradition across the board, so we can have unity in the method of receiving the Eucharist. Right now, at a church you may have people receiving on their knees or standing, and on the tongue or in the hand. It would limit the variation. Not to mention things like possible abuses ranging from things such as carelessness on the part of the recipient to outright desecration.

[BG45]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1870725' date='May 19 2009, 01:42 AM']I guess St. Catherine of Sienna was a pretty horrible Catholic, then. [/quote]

This is just a personal opinion, but while I know you were being snarky, I don't think we can judge people's hearts. Actions most definitely, things can be inferred about a heart by those actions. However it is the Lord our God who has final say when we stand before Him on our final day.

He can find our hearts pure and grant us entry into His Kingdom, He can find our hearts lacking and send us through the time in Purgatory, or He could say unto us to go away, that He never knew us (Matt 7:23).