Hi again, Here is again a similar query from a fellow believer to Fr. Mateo and his answer to the query on receiving communion in the hand, with a brief history of how it came to being. Most Catholic answers found in this site called 'Catholic Information Network'.
Regards in Christ, Samji Father Mateo Archives, June 14, 1994, Communion in the Hand Father, I am trying to find out the history of receiving the Eucharist in the hands. My understanding is that in the early church history it was received in the hands and then (don't know why) it was changed to being received on the tongue, my guess was to stop abuses of handling the host or because it was not to touch unconsecrated hands. Then the practice of receiving in the hands was begun in some areas of Europe (why? approved? disobedience?). Eventually it spread to the U.S. where it is universally in use. Can you give me the history of this and where it can be found? Was there disobedience by disregarding the Vatican on this? What is Pope John Paul II's opinion on this? I know this is a subject that comes up often so if there is a reference, can you point me to that? Sincerely in Christ, Harry Dear Harry, In 1973, Archbishop Bugnini, secretary of the Vatican's Congregation of Divine Worship, published a historical essay on Communion in the hand. It appeared in L'Osservatore Romano. Gradually the discipline changed until the 9th century, when communion on the tongue alone was permitted. The change occurred, not because of abuses (though there were some of these) but by reason of a change in the shape and texture of the bread. Hosts became tiny, very thin, and round. It seemed easier to put the host directly on the tongue. Another reason for the change was an increasing emphasis on the divine nature of Christ. A third reason was the gradual de emphasis and even total elimination of lay participation in the liturgy. Finally, frequent communion for the laity was more and more discouraged. All in all, the new way of receiving on the tongue was felt to be more in conformity with the holiness of the Eucharistic mystery. Only consecrated hands could dare touch the Lord's body. (The principle that the sacraments are for men and women seemed almost to be forgotten. Fr. Mateo.) So far, Archbishop Bugnini. Following the publication of Vatican II's liturgical constitution, the ancient practice began to be revived. The history of this revival in the U.S. goes something like this: October 28, 1968 - the Vatican requests the bishops of every country to make known their opinion of Communion in the hand. Only one-third of the bishops are in favor of the change. November, 1973 - U.S. bishops defeat a motion in their annual meeting to request Vatican approval of Communion in the hand. (The motion did not receive the necessary 2/3 vote.) October, 1975 - the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions requests the bishops to take up the matter of Communion in the hand again. April, 1976 - the Priests' Senate of the Diocese of Spokane asks the bishop of Spokane to try to persuade the other bishops to vote in favor of Communion in the hand. November, 1976 - Communion in the hand does not come up for discussion in the bishops' November meeting. The bishops did not consider a request for Communion in the hand for reasons of hygiene (there was an epidemic of swine flu in the U.S. at the time). December, 1976 - Communion in the hand is by now authorized in fifty countries, including Ireland and Mexico, but not in the U.S. May, 1977 - U.S. bishops agree to request the Vatican's permission for Communion in the hand. If granted, individual bishops will have to approve Communion in the hand for their own dioceses. Vatican approval comes rapidly. The Congregation for Divine Worship hopes that Communion in the hand may be the occasion for increasing among the people "the sense of their own dignity as members of the Mystical Body of Christ ... and strengthening their faith in the grand reality of the Body and Blood of the Lord, which they hold in their hands." The Solemnity of Christ the King, November 20, 1977, is the suggested day for introducing the practice of Communion in the hand. As early as March 29, 1973, the Vatican instruction Immensae Caritatis discussed Communion in the hand and recommended proper reverence, insisting on careful prior instruction of the faithful about the real and permanent presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Furthermore, Immensae Caritatis insists: Wherever the practice of communion in the hand is introduced, the faithful are always to have the option to receive communion in the mouth if so desired. Both possibilities should exist out of respect for the desires and feelings of each of the faithful. Realizing that the practice will continue to grow, the Congregation for the Discipline of the Sacraments in its recent instruction underscores the need for suitable instruction and catechesis prior to its introduction. Even in those places where the faculty to introduce communion in the hand has not been requested, it would seem useful to explain the practice to the faithful. Such is the case in the U.S. where the faithful have heard about the growing practice and have perhaps even witnessed it in Canada or Europe. The Congregation also asks that both the minister and the recipient show particular concern for the fragments of the hosts, the place of sincere thanksgiving after reception, and the general need for reverence toward the Eucharist. Description of the Practice "Where this practice is authorized, the individual who wishes to receive communion directly in his/her mouth--according to the customary practice--simply approaches the priest or other eucharistic minister in the ordinary manner." "Anyone, however, who wishes to receive communion in the hand--according to the older tradition--simply indicates this to the priest or other minister by holding out his/her hands, palm up, with one hand resting on the other. The priest or other eucharistic minister places the consecrated host in the extended hand after the usual formula: "The body of Christ -- Amen." The communicant steps to one side, immediately places the consecrated host in his/her mouth, and only then returns to his/her place." Reasons for the Practice "Communion in the hand is dignified and becoming: it is a recognition that the total person is holy, including one's hands." "Extending the hands for communion can be a gesture symbolic of supplication, welcome, faith, gratitude." "The practice expresses maturity, because the baptized Christian is no longer a spiritual or religious infant." "Communion in the hand represents an active rather than a passive participation and involvement." "Reaching out for the eucharist in petition and acceptance is a fuller, more human gesture." "The practice is more convenient and hygienic, less routine and hurried, it is simple and practical if people are prepared and instructed." In his Holy Thursday, 1980 letter to all the bishops of the world, Pope John Paul II wrote: "In some countries the practice of receiving communion in the hand has been introduced. This practice has been requested by the individual episcopal conferences and has received approval from the Apostolic See. However, cases of deplorable lack of respect toward the eucharistic species have been reported, cases which are imputable not only to the individuals guilty of such behavior but also to the pastors of the church who have not been vigilant enough regarding the attitude of the faithful towards the eucharist. It also happens, on occasion, that the free choice of those who prefer to continue the practice of receiving the eucharist on the tongue is not taken into account in those places where the distribution of communion in the hand has been authorized. It is therefore difficult in the context of this present letter not to mention the sad phenomena previously referred to. This is in no way meant to refer to those who, receiving the Lord Jesus in the hand, do so with profound reverence and devotion, in those countries where this practice has been authorized." Sincerely in Christ, Father Mateo Copyright © 2000 Catholic Information Network (CIN) Sponsored by St. Gabriel Gift & Book Nook Image copyright Art Today 09/08/2000 _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp **************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ****************************************************************
