“..the reception of Communion on the tongue..”
It is a pious idea but it has become difficult for today’s celebrant to have to distribute Communion to all the faithful at Mass. That is why he is being assisted by extraordinary ministers of communion (laymen) who, out of necessity, hold the Blessed Sacrament in their hands. These laymen also bring Communion to the sick in hospitals and nursing homes—a function that used to be performed by priests before Vatican II.
Yet, for practical reasons, it is a good idea to return to the former practice of Communion on the tongue because it should prevent recipients from taking the Host outside the sanctuary.
What, in my opinion, should be done away with is the distribution of Communion under both Species.
>>It is a pious idea but it has become difficult for today’s celebrant to have to distribute Communion to all the faithful at Mass. <<
And how do you think the amount of Catholics were handled Pre-Vatican II?
I find this to be strange. We had many more Catholics when we received on the tongue, yet, there was never a thought of “too many for the priest to handle”
Maybe the problem is the lack of communion rails.
One solution no one considers would be to encourage the faithful to refrain from communion until properly disposed. Preach more and with more vigor about sin and the need for the sacrament of Penance. Restore a proper eucharistic fast (at least 3 hours). If there are still too many communicants for the celebrant to handle on his own, use instituted acolytes, as a way of reconnecting the ministry to the priesthood. We have GOT to get away from this idea that the routine use of lay men and women in the distribution of Holy Communion is anything less than a disordered and damaging practice.
We have a parishioner who is VERY allergic to wheat and always receives the Body and Blood of Christ from the cup.