Communion On The Hand

[Noel's angel]

Lucky you. Our curate was making people feel really bad about receiving on the tongue (he's a Redemptorist, and they have a pretty bad rep for being 'liberal'). 'Every time I give someone Communion I get saliva on my hand and then I'm passing it on to the next person...' etc.
I'm making sure as many people as possible know that they don't have to stop receiving on the tongue.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Noel's angel' date='24 October 2009 - 06:51 PM' timestamp='1256428307' post='1990848']
Lucky you. Our curate was making people feel really bad about receiving on the tongue (he's a Redemptorist, and they have a pretty bad rep for being 'liberal'). 'Every time I give someone Communion I get saliva on my hand and then I'm passing it on to the next person...' etc.
I'm making sure as many people as possible know that they don't have to stop receiving on the tongue.
[/quote]

I'd give you a +1 if I had any left.

[Noel's angel]

aw, thanks!.
I think I'd give our curate -1 if I could. He tried to tell people that because Jesus said 'Take this...'it means we shouldn't receive on the tongue. We should 'take' Jesus in our hands. It made me mad. He also said on Priesthood Sunday that he'd like to focus on our 'common priesthood' because he is no different to any other baptised Christian. Sigh.

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='24 October 2009 - 10:03 PM' timestamp='1256418189' post='1990772']
It was interesting. I found a letter from my bishop to all the diocesan parishes. He basically said (and I'm obviously paraphrasing and reading between the lines a bit) "if you're so worried about H1N1, then don't shake people's hands, but don't do something silly like changing Communion."
[/quote]
That is awesome.

[quote name='Noel's angel' date='25 October 2009 - 12:51 AM' timestamp='1256428307' post='1990848']
Lucky you. Our curate was making people feel really bad about receiving on the tongue (he's a Redemptorist, and they have a pretty bad rep for being 'liberal'). 'Every time I give someone Communion I get saliva on my hand and then I'm passing it on to the next person...' etc.
I'm making sure as many people as possible know that they don't have to stop receiving on the tongue.
[/quote]
I've heard a parish priest who really discouraged receiving on the tongue by saying it's too easy to touch the tongue (for that matter, our Archbishop has said he greatly discourages receiving on the tongue right now). Since I've been receiving on the tongue, I can think of maybe 2-3 times when the priest has touched my tongue by accident, and they were times when I was taller than the priest and I didn't stoop down enough (I'd love to kneel). Thankfully the monks, while mentioning the Archbishop's concerns, don't seem overly concerned themselves and don't mind at all that I receive on the tongue.

I'll have to make a spiritual communion today, though. Still can't be around people.

[rosamundi]

I was in the Diocese of Portsmouth last week. No receiving on the tongue, the chalice not offered to the people, but everyone was shaking hands at the sign of Peace. Because that makes so much sense, obviously.

[aalpha1989]

[quote name='Noel's angel' date='24 October 2009 - 02:14 PM' timestamp='1256408090' post='1990716']
There's no need to stop. As someone mentioned before, no bishop or priest has the authority to forbid Communion on the tongue. They can advise people to receive in the hand, but they can't make anyone do it.

This has just come in to our parish, and it's utter rubbish. Every time I pass the collection basket, every time I pick up a missalette, every time I touch the pew or a door handle, or dip my fingers in the holy water font, every time I breath, I'm at risk of catching something.
It's funny how priests are so keen to be obedient with this, yet fail to be obedient when it comes to respect for liturgical practices.
[/quote]

I agree. I'm not going to judge this priest's actions, though. I'm quite sure that he knows it is canonically illegal for bishops to forbid Communion on the tongue, but I'm also sure that he wants to be as perfectly obedient to the bishop as possible. Traditional groups are often accused of not being obedient, and I don't think he wants to incur anyone's wrath.

That said, I don't agree with his decision- but it is his decision to make.

[jeffpugh]

The Archbishop of Toronto apparently "prohibited" communion on the tongue. Found this out from a reliable source via Facebook (I know that sounds like a contradiction, but trust me on this one). It is to be effective starting tomorrow. I just gotta say wow. Let's all jump on the bandwagon now! What are the Opus Dei priests going to do since they always give communion on the tongue at the men's residence they run or the Oratorians or the FSSP? I guess if it's such a problem, they'll have to stop communion

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' date='03 November 2009 - 06:18 AM' timestamp='1257229128' post='1995614']
The Archbishop of Toronto apparently "prohibited" communion on the tongue. Found this out from a reliable source via Facebook (I know that sounds like a contradiction, but trust me on this one). It is to be effective starting tomorrow. I just gotta say wow. Let's all jump on the bandwagon now! What are the Opus Dei priests going to do since they always give communion on the tongue at the men's residence they run or the Oratorians or the FSSP? I guess if it's such a problem, they'll have to stop communion
[/quote]
I'd say this is a good time for writing to the Archbishop, or even writing to Rome, because he doesn't have the authority to actually prohibit receiving on the tongue.

[AccountDeleted]

Ok - I understand "recommend" but not "prohibit" and although I wouldn't stop receiving communion in either case, this is bad when the Archbishop does something like this. I guess that Archbishop hasn't read the article about the Holy Father's "preference" for communion on the knees and on the tongue!

I don't think our FSSP or Opus Dei priests would follow this rule because they are pontifical communities, but it does cause a lot of distress for the faithful be told something like this.

Edited November 3, 2009 by nunsense

[dominicansoul]

A Polish priest friend of mine told me that all this fear over the H1N1 shows a lack of Faith. I agree with what he told me, that the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ would not be a carrier of a contagious virus. Even if the person handing Holy Communion were to have it, Jesus' Flesh and Blood would protect us. (I love Father's way of thinking and his strong Faith.) IF anything, we need to be receiving Him more reverently at this time, and allow His Precious Blood to protect our bodies from this illness.

I'm glad that the priests and Bishops in my diocese have not overreacted. Unfortunately, my friend was in a neighboring diocese, where the Bishop even closed the churches and canceled all Masses for a period of time...he had to celebrate the Mass alone, and he was not happy about people missing the obligatory Masses. But he remained obedient to the Bishop, even if he disagreed with his "overreaction."

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='dominicansoul' date='03 November 2009 - 05:36 PM' timestamp='1257269763' post='1995714']
A Polish priest friend of mine told me that all this fear over the H1N1 shows a lack of Faith. I agree with what he told me, that the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ would not be a carrier of a contagious virus. Even if the person handing Holy Communion were to have it, Jesus' Flesh and Blood would protect us. (I love Father's way of thinking and his strong Faith.) IF anything, we need to be receiving Him more reverently at this time, and allow His Precious Blood to protect our bodies from this illness.
[/quote]
My husband and I were actually saying something similar. My reaction is that the Eucharist is a Sacrament of healing.

Edited November 4, 2009 by Archaeology cat

[Nihil Obstat]

I guess I spoke too soon a couple weeks ago. Communion on the tongue has been "temporarily suspended" in my diocese. No possibility of other interpretations in this letter.
I'm sort of disappointed. Didn't expect this from my bishop.




Ongoing Communication re: the H1N1 Flu Virus

To all clergy and parishioners of the Diocese of Calgary,

I wish to provide you with an additional update regarding proactive measures in relation to the H1N1 Flu virus. In my communication of September 14, I provided a number of directives based on counsel from health officials and those experienced with pandemic planning. Regrettably, when people think of pandemic, it conjures up images of global calamities like the Black Death or Spanish Flu, and the media headlines scream catastrophe. In reality, pandemic declarations are based on speed and range of transmission and not the deadliness of the virus.

We have been closely monitoring the situation. Much of the fear-mongering continues. The appeal to common sense, or the likelihood of people understanding the request for personal behaviour change and complying, was reasonable earlier, when the consequence of non-compliance was less significant. Now, however, the risk is higher.

At this time, it would only be prudent to elevate our diligence to the next level in trying to stop the rapid spread of the virus. For the health and safety of all people of faith, parishes must implement the changes outlined below at all masses as of Sunday November 8, 2009 until further notice.


Temporarily suspend communion on the tongue.
Temporarily suspend communion from the chalice.
Temporarily refrain from shaking hands during the sign of peace (a nod, bow or other appropriate gesture may be encouraged).
Temporarily Holy Water fonts at the entrance of the church should remain dry.
Parishes should provide hand cleaning stations near church entrances.
All ministers of communion are asked to wash their hands before mass. An alcohol-based sanitizer should be provided so that all ministers may sanitize their hands before and after distributing communion.
When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them; stay at home when you are sick - don’t go to work, school or church.

To the faithful of the Diocese of Calgary, I recognize the distress these changes to our sacred liturgy may cause for some. Be assured that these are temporary measures only, intended to protect and care for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. Please join me in offering prayers for the sick and suffering in our community and for all those who care for them.


November 05, 2009
✠ F. B. Henry
Bishop of Calgary.

[Archaeology cat]

[Nihil Obstat]

I trust him so much that I guess I expect perfection. I should know better than that, but it's nice to just assume that he's always going to get it right.

[Veridicus]

Somewhere deep in my brain I was thinking "How perfect it would be if the Swine Flu catalyzed the removal of the Rite of Peace so it no longer distracted us with our little self-fest right before the Agnus Dei". Maybe I shouldn't get liturgical excitement out of pandemic diseases.