The little book that will cause a great storm ('Dominus Est' by Bishop Schneider) (Catholic Caucus)

Catholic Herald (UK) ^ | 12/19/2008 | Alcuin Reed, OSB

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...The Congregation for Divine Worship [in 1969] issued an Instruction, Memoriale Domini, on the manner of receiving Holy Communion....

After recalling the development of the reception of Communion on the tongue as a fruit of "a deepening understanding of the truth of the Eucharistic mystery...", the Instruction declares that "this method of distributing Holy Communion must be retained...."

It also warned: "A change in a matter of such moment, based on a most ancient and venerable tradition, does not merely affect discipline. It carries certain dangers with it...the danger of a loss of reverence for the august sacrament of the altar, of profanation, of adulterating the true doctrine."

...Today, the Instruction's warnings about loss of reverence for, belief in and even the profanation of the Blessed Sacrament have - sadly - been vindicated. It is time to look again at the question of Communion in the hand. This is precisely what a young bishop from Central Asia has done in 'Dominus Est.'

This little book, a brief but insightful survey of the Fathers, the Early Church, the Magisterium and the Eastern and Western liturgical rites, is capable of creating a storm - not in a teacup, but in the minds of those unduly attached to the flawed external changes made to the liturgy in what can only be described as a peculiar period in the Church's history.

That it will provoke a storm is unfortunate, for the practice it advocates is a practice of love and of humility, one from which no one who truly adores Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament ought to recoil....

[NYer]

Now that is a comment that deserves its own thread, posted as a caucus. Please do so!

[NYer]

Our priest said that in a couple years everyone would be receiving the Holy Eucharist on the tongue.

That is good news. Some of us (;-) have lived through this ecclesial debacle. When they switched to communion in the hand, I never felt comfortable about the decision. The first time I saw a woman holding a ciborium, I approached with so much trepidation, trying to internally talk my way through. She dipped her heavily perfumed hand into the ciborium and I could taste it on the host. Is it any wonder that Catholics have lost respect for the Eucharist!

As netmilsmom commented to another poster, communion by intinction resolves two problems. The communicant receives under both species AND on the tongue. It moves swiftly in our parish. Even the Latin Rite priest used this discipline when he filled in for our pastor. No special training necessary ;-)

[diamond6]

ping