Posted on 07/16/2016 8:02:36 PM PDT by ebb tide
The photograph of Grace Kelly, Hollywood superstar turned princes of Monaco, always makes me sad. Grace Kelly wouldn't have dared receive Communion in the hand. So what happened? We became too sophisticated? Too enlightened? Too holy?
(Excerpt) Read more at remnantnewspaper.com ...
FYI. Communion in the Paw was never permitted by the Second Vatican Council.
So, yes: things are still changing since the Council.
“Pope Paul VI took a survey of the world’s bishops to ascertain their opinions on the subject. On May 28, 1969 the Congregation for Divine Worship issued Memoriale Domini, which concluded: “From the responses received, it is thus clear that by far the greater number of bishops feel that the present discipline [i.e., Holy Communion on the tongue] should not be changed at all, indeed that if it were changed, this would be offensive to the sensibility and spiritual appreciation of these bishops and of most of the faithful.” After he had considered the observation and the counsel of the bishops, the Supreme Pontiff judged that the long-received manner of ministering Holy Communion to the faithful should not be changed. The Apostolic See then strongly urged bishops, priests and the laity to zealously observe this law out of concern for the common good of the Church.”
I don’t think we became more Godlike when we started taking Communion in the hand. I do believe we changed our mindset from worshiping the Church to worshiping the Lord. With enlightenment comes wisdom to worship Christ and not the Church. The Church is a conduit to him, not a gatekeeper to him.
The fact that you won’t even capitalize the word “him” in reference to God tells me all I need to know about your reverence for His Body and Blood.
What’s really the deal with John Paul and the indult? Is it right to “blame” him? I thought Paul VI was the pope who did finally make this widespread and acceptable?
It was introduced to our extremely large parish in 1976 or 77, explained in detail at every mass by the pastor himself (parish had 8 resident priests, deacons, and attached convent). I remember careful emphasis placed on proper disposition, posture and such.
That was near end of Paul’s reign. Well, this was the Los Angeles archdiocese under Manning; maybe it was a bit ahead?
John Paul may have been caught in a trap just like the female altar servers? Officially the decision appeared to come from him, but it was actually taken out of his hands.
This may be a modern method of hygiene. In my home church, the priest would place the host directly onto the tip of my tongue. That was back when only trained priests were dispensing the hosts. Now, in the larger parishes, some churches have casually trained, lay people doing to along with the priests.
Another fact to consider is that Catholics have a lot of ‘new people’ coming up from Central and South America.
They probably soon realized that some newcomers don’t have the same habits of the average American, such as daily showering. I do not mean to insult or profile. I’m just guessing this is part of the reason.
So if they don’t shower daily, you favor giving them Holy Communion in their paws rather than their tongues?
All one needs to do is read the book by Maria Simma, “Get Us Out of Here” about the poor souls in Purgatory and the messages they gave her.
Always receive Communion on your tongue. This keeps God happy.
We became clericalized.
Well, yes. The point being that at least they are going to church, praying together and receiving the sacraments. I don’t see any reason to insult them by the term ‘paws’ but that’s just me.
Just remember, TB and Hepatitis can be transmitted very easily, and without making a sound. Many times the infected person has no symptoms, so they don’t even know of their condition. I am a believer in what is known as ‘Universal Precautions’ when dealing with the public. A lot changed after the AIDS crisis.
Did you not insult them by implying they don’t shower daily?
And why give Holy Communion into unshowered hands?
Until VC II, South America was a Catholic stronghold and Holy Communion was given only on the tongue.
The Catholic Church survived the Bubonic plague, yet did not change Her discipline.
Well, frankly... from accounts I’ve read of Grace Kelly and her “personal” life, she shouldn’t have been taking Communion at all...
... and then he granted the indulge anyway. Very typical of Paul VI.
The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, ever alive to us through the liturgy as instituted by Christ. In the Sacrament God reaches us as a living sacrifice of love. He is the same regardless of whether you take on the tongue, in the hand, or refrain.
I love that story of the little Chinese girl.
Our Father wants us to talk to Him to know We are loved and He knows and allows everything in our lives.
That said, here in the Philippines, we have six men who help give out communion in various parts of the church. Some of the people receive on the tongue, and about half receive in the hand.
I always received in the hand because I had to help my frail husband up the aisle. so had to help him get back to our seat.
And I am taller than a lot of the altar servers, so it is easier for them too.
I figure this is one of the trivia that Jesus would not get upset about.
Facing east and receiving communion on the tongue emphasizes the holiness of God in worship.
Facing the people and receiving in the hand reminds us this is a holy meal.
It’s not a holy meal. It’s a Holy Sacrifice.
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