Séan Ó Beaglaoich

The Vatican liturgy office finally spoke on the matter of Communion in the hand versus Communion on the tongue. It warned against the danger of extremism in the liturgical sphere, referring to those who insist on kneeling and receiving Communion on the tongue. Well, we all know that Communion on the hand was practised in the early Church before receiving on the tongue became the general practice in the West. So, were those who received Communion on the hand before that change wrong? If the Church permitted Communion on the hand before the practice of receiving on the tongue became widespread, and the same Church permits both practices today, I don't see any problem with it. The only problem is the failure to catechise the faithful properly. People must understand that they are receiving the actual Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, not a symbol or representation of Him. Therefore, when receiving Communion in the hand, the faithful must be taught to consume the Host reverently and ensure that no particles are carelessly discarded. If they are not properly taught and end up brushing particles off their hands, the responsibility also falls on those who have failed to teach them properly. You cannot simply blame the communicant who was never properly catechised. Communion in the hand does not reduce the Eucharist to ordinary bread. You are still receiving Jesus Christ. And this argument that your hands must be consecrated before you can receive Communion doesn't follow, because your tongue isn't consecrated. If your tongue is not consecrated, why can't you receive the Eucharist in your hand and place it on your tongue? There are reasons why the Church permits these different practices. We should not turn the matter into religious extremism. That's what the Vatican office of the liturgy is saying. I think, if you prefer to kneel as a personal devotion, fine. If you stand, that does not make your reception of the Eucharist less valid. The posture does not change the fact that you are receiving Jesus Christ. That being said, I still remain tTeam Kneeling Down And Receiving Communion On The Tongue!