Posted by Anne Ward on June 23, 1999 at 17:09:57:
okay, I heard you groan when you saw the subject: Communion in hand! :) But johnboy, you were such a help on several other items, I figured you would be a good source to answer ANOTHER one of those perplexing questions. So here goes....
When I was growing up and also when seen on TV I noticed that Catholics always took the host on their tongue..twas always a mystery. Just figured it was one of those 'Catholic' things.
So now I am Catholic, it is no longer one of those things....I have been told that Vatican 2 said it was fine to take communion in hand....but some research showed me that there has been teachings against such from 115 BC onward!
But the two most interesting are those of Pope John Paul II [who was instrumental as was other popes in having a new mass written...Novus order]...anyway, here is what he said in 1978 "To touch the sacred species and to distribute them with their own hands is a privilege of the ordained. " (Dominicae Cenae, sect.11)
and then in April, 1980 in "Inaestimable Donum" he made this pronouncement: "It is not permitted that the faithful should themselves pick up the consecrated bread and the sacred chalice, still less that they should hand them from one to another."
Well...both of those appear to be saying NO to receiving the host in the hand.....QUESTION: IF the Pope is saying NO, why are we doing it?
I could also quote St. Thomas Acquinas plus many others. Also Pope Paul VI stated: "This method (on the tongue) must be retained" (Apostolic Epistle "Memoriale Domini......
So, Johnboy, Phil or anyone else...if two popes and our present pope says NO to communion in the hand, why do priests continue to give it in that fashion?
Hey...i love this place!!!!
blessings, and grace,
anne