[sinkspur]

POPE JOHN PAUL II (1978-). "To touch the sacred species and to distribute them with their own hands is a privilege of the ordained. (Dominicae Cenae, sec. 11)

Strange. He said this after he approved the distribution of Communion in the hand in the United States in 1977. I think I'll do a google search on this to make sure you didn't make it up.

You are, of course, free to receive the Eucharist on the tongue.

[duck soup]

COUNCIL OF TRENT (1545-1565). "The fact that only the priest gives Holy Communion with his consecrated hands is an Apostolic Tradition."

Apostles were ordained and you were correct that they handled the body of Christ. LOL. Happy hunting on google.

[Land of the Irish]

You are, of course, free to receive the Eucharist on the tongue.
Sure, with no paten under the chin and a lay Eucharist minister who makes a face and winces when you refuse to present your hands.

[Squire]

Strange. He said this after he approved the distribution of Communion in the hand in the United States in 1977. I think I'll do a google search on this to make sure you didn't make it up.

Communion in the hand is permitted in the United States by papal indult only -- i.e.an exception from the norm given by the Pope (with the implication that the Pope would rather not give it). The normative practice in the Universal Church remains reception directly on the tongue.

I have not been able to verify a related story that appeared in the Catholic press some years ago. In any event, after Mother Teresa had given an address, she was supposedly asked "What is the greatest tragedy in the world today?" The questioner, who was expecting an answer like "abortion" or "hunger," was somewhat surprised to hear the response, "the greatest tragedy in the world today is Communion in the hand." As I said, I haven't been able to verify the story, but I can definitely believe that a saint might say something like that.