Cardinal Ranjith to his Clergy: Communion on the Tongue Only and While Kneeling is Mandatory

Rorate Caeli ^ | 4/3/12

[marshmallow]

As reported last year on Rorate the Archbishop of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, has restored in his archdiocese the practice of communion on the tongue only and while kneeling. Last month, on the Feast of St. Joseph, he reiterated in an address to his clergy that this manner of receiving communion is mandatory for all of the faithful in his territory, even during outdoor Masses (emphasis mine):

May I also remind you once again that in all Churches and Chapels in the Archdiocese Holy Communion is to be administered only on the tongue and kneeling. This should be implemented as normal use even at Holy Mass celebrated with the participation of a big crowd outdoors. On such occasions at least the youth and the children as well as the “youthful” should be called upon to kneel and receive the Lord. This is the most appropriate way of expressing our profoundest belief in the continuous and personal presence of the Lord in the most Sacred Host as we acclaim “down in adoration falling, lo! the Sacred Host we hail”. And in all our Churches, as an expression of that faith our people should be called upon to receive the Holy Communion, kneeling. And so kindly take steps to fix the altar rails and a cushion line fixed to the ground before the railing so that all could kneel and receive easily. It is also good for us to explain to our people about the teaching of the Church on the Most Holy Eucharist as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church Nos. 1373-1381.

The Archbishop also announced that he will personally take charge of the effort to correct liturgical abuses regarding Mass vestments in the Archdiocese of Colombo:

I would also like to insist.......

[coloradomomba]

alleluia

[92nina]

Agree w/ the thought and sentiment, but embargo the word until Easter Sunday. :)

[warsaw44]

I see more and more people receiving Communion on the tongue and these folks are quite young.

As for the kneeling - I'm lucky to get through Mass kneeling when I should. My knees haven’t been right for years!

[Salvation]

May other Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Priests follow his example.

Back to the basics!

[Tax-chick]

Kneeling *down* while wearing a long dress and carrying a baby is no problem. Getting back up is potentially disastrous. And in high-heeled shoes ... it’s YouTube funniest-video material, unless that baby is injured.