Tomorrow, Wednesday, on EWTN (US schedule), there is an interview given by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, the author of Dominus Est, with Fr Mitch Pacwa. For more information, links and pictures, see Te Deum Laudamus: Bishop Athanasius Schneider on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan.The book Dominus Est is now available in English, translated by Rev Nicholas L. Gregoris and published by Newman House Press. Diane of Te Deum Laudamus very kindly sent me a copy - the English edition has a photograph on the front showing Pope Benedict giving Holy Communion to a lady who is kneeling and receiving the sacred Host on the tongue, with an MC holding a communion plate. The book can now be ordered from Family Publications priced £5.99.
(For my initial notice of the book, see: "Communion kneeling, on the tongue." For another interview with Bishop Schneider, see: "As a bishop I cannot be silent".)
One rather special detail noticed by Diane when Bishop Schneider visited Assumption Grotto is that his episcopal ring is a miraculous medal:
Here are Diane's comments on this:He humbly permitted people to kiss his ring, which caught me off guard because I have seen some bishops gently pull their hand back. Because of this, I never attempted to kiss the ring of a bishop.
Some feel it is more humble to not let people kiss the ring, but I think the opposite is true. I did not see it prideful on his part at all, but more of an act of humility. He generously offered blessings upon people as they took his hand. One of the sisters observed that by having the Miraculous Medal as a ring, the people are kissing an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as the ring of an apostolic successor.
5 comments:
Being away from home a lot I see quite a few practices with regards to receiving Holy Communion. Whether I agree with it or not most churches seem quite accommodating to allowing the individual to choose the way they wish to receive Holy Communion (that is provided you don’t want to kneel). You can receive on the tongue or in the hands if you wish and you can receive under both kinds if you wish. As for kneeling the church is often less than accommodating you feel you can’t or shouldn’t kneel partly out of cowardliness of not wanting to be the odd one out and partly out of fear of being trampled on by the person standing very closely behind you.
I spend a lot of my pass time looking around and photographing old country churches (there are some truly beautiful churches hidden in the English country side) and it is often evident from the lay out of the church that people in these churches are receiving Holy Communion on their knees at an altar rail. What surprises me about this is that most of these churches are Anglican, many people receiving won’t even believe in the true presence yet still wish to kneel when receiving Holy Communion which to me begs the question why would any Catholic who believes in the true presence of Christ in Holy Communion not want to kneel when receiving their Lord.
The worst practice I have been witness to was when I attended a young persons retreat during Mass the communion plate was past around the congregation while you remained seated and you simply took a host and pass it along after which the same thing was done with the chalice. I have been long aware that I perhaps experience the slightly more traditional practices of the Church as I attend an Oratory for Mass most days of the week however this experience absolutely horrified me. I have noticed that it is quite often when I attend university or young person related Church activities that these less than acceptable practices creep in. I have often wondered whether priests or the Church feels they have to somehow make it more modern or ‘hip’ for the youth of today. Personally I find it an insult.
Thank the Lord for this bishop. Too many of our bishops get freaked out if we kiss the episcopal ring. Archbishop Kelly is one example - however he couldn't do anything when I touched my rosary to his chasuable recently as it was one worn by Pope John Paul II in his visit to Liverpool in 1982.
The liturgical act of kissing has largely been lost to the Latin West, but not to the Byzantine East! Every time I distribute Holy Communion, there are several parishioners who, after cleaning their lips with the communion cloth, venerate the chalice with a kiss and then kiss my hand, which is still holding the spoon. Far from being a moment of "pride," it is VERY humbling. I am deeply moved by the gesture, recognizing that such an act redounds to Christ and the apostolic ministry entrusted by Him to me through my Bishop.
That said, I do know of a priest (not my pastor) that, when I, as a newly ordained deacon, forgot to venerate his hand when he sent me forth with a blessing, stuck his hand in my face to kiss it, clearing his throat loudly. A humbling moment, but we very often learn humility through our humiliations!
In ICXC,
Fr. Deacon Daniel
I do agree. When the Franciscans Sisters of the Immaculate come to my parish, they always kiss my hand. I would have to be very stupid to think of it as anything other than reverence for the priestly office - of which I am utterly unworthy. Therefore it cannot be other than a moment of humility unless the priest thinks that somehow he is worthy of this respect.
According to Fr. Charles Carty, Padre Pio used to be very embarrassed when people kissed his hands and would regularly reprimand people for it. However, when diocesan priests, monsignors and cardinals (and a future pope!) came, he would grab their hands and kiss them with as much reverence as possible.
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