Receiving Communion

Futher to my previous post regarding the kneelers that have been introduced, here is a letter from our Parish priest explaining the reintroduction. There has certainly been an increase in the number of people kneeling to receive communion, particularly at last Sunday's Mass after Father Thomas reminded everyone, once again, of the need for reverence when receiving the Host. All emphases, in bold, are Father Thomas's. I would also ask that you keep him in your prayers, as he requests at the end of this letter.



30 November 2008

Dear parishioners:

As I was saying last Sunday, and many of you probably knew, since the Feast of Corpus Christi this year, Pope Benedict XVI has only distributed communion on the tongue to communicants that are kneeling. At
first some thought that this was only a "once off', but the Holy Father has continued with this practice. Why is he doing this and what is the practical teaching that he wants to give us?

After Pope Benedict XVI started distributing the Holy Communion this way, Msgr. Guido Marini, the Master of Papal Liturgical Ceremonies, in an interview that appeared in L'Osservatore Romano (25/6/2008)
was asked if this practice is destined to become habitual in papal celebrations.

This was his answer:

"I really believe so. In this regard it must not be forgotten that the
distribution of Communion in the hand still remains, from the juridical
standpoint, an exception to the universal law, conceded by the Holy See to those
bishops' conferences that have asked for it. The form adopted by Benedict XVI is
meant to underscore the force of the norm valid for the entire Church.
Furthermore, one might also note a preference for the use of this method of
distribution which, without taking anything from the other,
better highlights the truth of the real presence in the Eucharist, fosters the
devotion of the faithful and more readily introduces them to the sense of
mystery."

To understand why Msgr. Marini says that Communion in the hand still remains, from the juridical
standpoint, an exception to the universal law, you have to know a bit of the history of this change in the practice of the Church.

It will come as a surprise especially to younger Catholics that the modern practice of receiving communion in the hand dates back only about forty years. In the years following the Second Vatican council a few countries began experimenting with "communion in the hand", This was done without asking the permission from the Holy See. To legalize this irregular situation a few bishops and bishops conferences asked for permission to distribute communion in the hand.

Pope Paul VI then asked the bishops of the world for their opinion. The vast majority voted against the distribution of communion in the hand. 1,233 said No and 597 Yes.

In line with the views of the bishops in 1969 the Congregation for Divine Worship issued a document "Memoriale Domini" (approved by Pope Paul VI after suggesting several changes in the text. This document can be read at http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWMEMOR.HTM). It strongly supported and
encouraged the reception of communion on the tongue to a kneeling communicant.

In this document the Holy See makes it clear that "This method of distributing holy communion [on the tongue and kneeling] must be retained, taking the present situation of the Church in the entire world into account."
Below are some of the reasons that the Holy See gives:

Reverence for the Eucharist.

This traditional method of receiving is preferable not just because "it has many centuries of tradition behind it, but especially because it expresses the faithful's reverence for the Eucharist."

Part of the preparation to receive communion

Some have argued that having to kneel to receive communion and to be fed the Host is belittling. The Holy See responds to this by emphasising that "the custom does not detract in any way from the personal dignity of those who approach this great sacrament: it is part of that preparation that is needed for the most fruitful reception of the Body ofthe Lord." By kneeling we prepare ourselves for communion showing that we approach this great sacrament in a spirit humility and awe.

By receiving the Host in this reverent manner, so different from the way we would receive normal food, we show 'that it is not a sharing in "ordinary bread and wine" that is involved, but in the Body and Blood ofthe Lord'.

Removes the danger of profanation

This traditional practice "ensures, more effectively, that holy communion is distributed with the proper respect, decorum and dignity. It removes the danger of profanation of the sacred species, in which "in a unique way, Christ, God and man, is present whole and entire, substantially and continually."

Respect for the smallest part of the Host

"Lastly, it ensures that diligent carefulness about the fragments of consecrated bread which the Church has always recommended: It What you haveallowed to drop, think of it as though you had lost one of your own
members."

At the end of Memoriale Domini the Holy See set out the following procedure which is to be observed:

" Where a contrary usage, that of placing holy communion on the hand, prevails,( ... ) In such cases, Episcopal conferences should examine matters carefully and should make whatever decisions, by a secret vote and with two-thirds majority, are needed to regulate matters. Their decisions should be sent to Rome to receive the necessary confirmation, accompanied with a detailed account of the reasons which led them to take those decisions." This explains why Msgr Marini says that communion on the hand is an exception to the general rule and why the Pope is pushing the traditional form.

(All Quotes are from Memoriale Domini)

Over the years the new practice of communion in the hand grew but without many of the faithful realising what they were leaving behind.

So after forty years what are the norms that regulate this issue? You will find the norms for South Africa, set by the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC), in the Pastoral Introduction to the Order
of the Mass (approved by the SACBC) pp. 81-82 . Norms that obviously are in agreement with the general norms given by the Holy See:


1. "In the Conference area under the jurisdiction of the SACBC, Holy Communion may be received in the hand as well as on the tongue; the choice is the prerogative of the communicant". (This means that the priest or minister has to respect the choice of the communicant, no one has the right to oblige doing it in a certain way).

2. "The norm for the posture of reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the SACBC territory is standing. However, communicants who wish to kneel are welcome to do so".

3. "When receiving Holy Communion standing, the communicant may bow the head before the sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receive the Body of the Lord from the minister. The communicant may also use the gesture of "ukuphaphatha" were the hands are gently clapped together in acknowledgement of the gift about to be received. Other signs which are apt are the sign of the cross or genuflection".

As you can see, we are not facing a dogmatic issue. It is something that, as things are now, depends on our choice or preference. There can be no doubt that Pope Benedict XVI, by his courageous liturgical initiative, is sending a strong message to his brother bishops, priests and laity as to the manner in which he would like to see Holy Communion distributed and received at all Masses.

Personally, as you can guess, I am in complete agreement with Pope Benedict XVI in his preference for this traditional way of receiving Holy Communion. I think it's my duty as Parish Priest to share with you this knowledge so you are in a better position to choose. There is a tremendous ignorance regarding this and other liturgical issues, even among us priests. Not long ago a young priest said to me that Communion in the hand was a norm established by the Vatican Council (sic).

As Jesus said: "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8,32).

As I already announced last Sunday, we are going to leave a kneeler in the central corridor when distributing Holy Communion for those communicants who, in use of the right they have, prefer to receive it in the mouth and kneeling. And of course the choice of those who prefer to receive the Communion in the hand will be respected as we have always done.

Please do not hesitate to raise any doubts or issues. In the last weeks I have already received several questions about liturgy: why do we do this, why don't we do that which is common practice in other parishes? I am available and very happy to answer as far as I can any questions you might have.

May God bless you and your families. Please remember me in your prayers.

Yours sincerely

Father Thomas