I have always received Holy Communion and on the tongue but in my new parish most people receive on the hand. I am worried that I am standing out.This weekend's Catholic Herald carries a letter from Mr Alan Pontet-Piccolomini responding to the article. I agree with all the points that he makes about receiving Holy Communion, but am at a loss to know why it should be thought that
In the 1970s, permission was given by the Holy See for Holy Communion to be received in the hand. Although this permission has been granted to most Bishops' Conferences, it remains the case that receiving on the tongue is the universal practice in terms of liturgical law: a particular diocese could rescind permission for communion in the hand but it would not be lawful to forbid communion on the tongue.
Your reluctance to appear singular is understandable and your instinctive humility in this matter is praiseworthy. If we do something different from others, there can be a temptation to think that we are more devout, or to question the motives of others. Many people were taught to received Holy Communion on the hand when they were children, and others were introduced to the practice as though it is somehow more “adult.” People can and do receive Holy Communion on the hand with devotion and reverence.
A reciprocal respect should be shown to those who wish to retain the traditional practice. Pope Benedict himself, at the Papal Masses, now gives Holy Communion only on the tongue and the communicants are asked to kneel down. The papal MC has explained that this is done to emphasise the reverence and care due to the Holy Eucharist. Therefore you need not have any scruples about receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. The temptation to pride is part of our ordinary human frailty and can arise in many situations: it is not essentially related to the manner in which we receive Our Lord.
As a part of our prayers in thanksgiving for Holy Communion, in addition to prayers of adoration and praise, it is good to remember to pray for others. If you include in this a prayer for those who are receiving Holy Communion at the same Mass, that will contribute to the reconciliation at the heart of the Church which is a major concern of Pope Benedict.
Fr Finigan might inadvertently have given the inquirer the impression that by continuing to receive on the tongue they are showing themselves to be "different" to their fellow communicantsThe question was asking about precisely the case where the communicant was different from most people in the parish.
Even more puzzling was the assertion that
Fr Finigan's response also appeared to gloss over the example being set by the Holy Father who requires those receiving from him to kneel and receive the Host on the tongueI do accept that there are many other things that "Fr Finigan could also have suggested to the enquirer" but the Herald is kind enough to give my column a rather prime site in the paper under the leader column, and I am limited to 350 words (an excellent writing discipline, by the way.) So the many other things that could be said on any particular question have to be said on the blog or elsewhere.
15 comments:
I often find strange and puzzling letters in the Catholic press.
The letter below the one that refers to your article in the Catholic Herald is even more bizarre. It's entitled, "I am thankful our Masses have changed since the pre-Vatican II days". When I first read it, I thought the author was satirically parodying someone from the "NuChurch". Sadly, though, it seems that the letter-writer was being serious when he wrote that restoring altar railings to churches is akin to dragging (his verb) the Church "back into medieval obscurantisms."
The funniest (saddest?) part of this letter, though, was when the author wrote about his local priest, the Dean of Bristol (Clifton?) Cathedral, who faces the people during Mass so that the congregation can "see his smile when calling us to prayer, and he sees ours when we respond" (how saccharine - give me the Oratory any day! lol).
The letter goes on to describe Mass at this particular Cathedral by saying, "at Gospel time the younger children scamper up the steps to sit beside him [the priest] - he is wonderful with children - while he tells them Bible stories, and crowd around him when he says the Our Father". This Eucharist also sees "men and women help ... distribute Hosts and to hold out chalices to those coming to stand before them."
It ends by calling Catholics to "resist with all our strength the forces of reaction" (by which I guess the writer is referring to Pope Benedict XVI's reforms?).
How any Catholic could seriously dismiss the liturgical reforms of our present Pontiff and write such nonsense in praise of the so called spirit of the spirit of Vatican II is beyond me.
But, hey, it's a mad world!
Father Finigan,
Your article appears to have been misconstrued in ways for which I see no basis in the original text.
Yet, since as you say, everything that Mr. Pontet-Piccolomini says about Holy Communion appears to be well said, there would probably be no value in publicizing some sort of rebuttal, given that there might be a danger of readers being misled into thinking that there is a theological dispute between the two of you.
Do you have the possibility of correcting the misunderstanding through private channels?
Mike - My thinking was that a letter from me for the letters page would be over the top, but a reply on my personal blog would be appropriate.
The letter publicly misrepresents my article so I think it is reasonable to correct that publicly, and give people a chance to see the original article.
Regarding reception of Holy Comunion, however we are asked to receive, I understand, as a Catholic, that it's a time to focus on Jesus and if seeing one's neighbour at this time, look through His eyes, at that moment at least. I offer my Comunion up for people, I was taught to do this, maybe an Irish custom? It may help to transform the critical focus on others, to concern.
Most Catholics I know are very unaware of each other, during Communion, in fact I don't think I have ever heard it discussed, not once! That's why, when I first joined blogger, I was deeplly saddened at one point, to think that other Catholics were watching each other and some were especially watching their priest, counting (literally!) the different abuses during Mass ( I wouldn't have a clue and don't want to, too distracting, for me anyway). At first I felt inadequate, for not knowing what these were, then angry, especially for the poor priests who are saying Mass, but now I sense something else, a sadness. I realise that adhering to the letter of the liturgical law is all some people have, to honour God with. They don't have an awareness of the presence of Jesus so their only proof is things being done decently and in order (as St Paul enthused). They serve by disciplined recital, it is deeply upsetting to them, when others don't. No wonder they don't want me around, singing "shine Jesus shine."
However, they have to learn to love me because my aim, is to spend the whole of eternity with them (by the grace of God and a submitted will and maybe submitted ears too haha)!
Each side needs to soften. God accepts worship from the heart. If the more perfectionist amongst us, offer God their best through absolute adherence to form and ritual, out of love, He will be pleased, also the sentimental, who can read their hearts? Their words may be sugary, ( I've certainly been accused of this on blogger and indeed threatened with a blog ban)but words themselves are formed in the head and not everyone has had a great education with which to articulate the rumblings of their hearts,yet still feel the need to express what's going on in there.
Dylan said:
"The letter goes on to describe Mass at this particular Cathedral by saying, "at Gospel time the younger children scamper up the steps to sit beside him [the priest] - he is wonderful with children - while he tells them Bible stories, and crowd around him when he says the Our Father". This Eucharist also sees "men and women help ... distribute Hosts and to hold out chalices to those coming to stand before them."
As I age, stories like that are very warming to me, I'm not a liberal, just an adult who used to be a frightened child quite often (though never because of a priest, I must add) but a priest like this one described would help me to form positive images of Jesus as a loving God, who just might, love me.
The thought of that gives me the courage, to love Him back. To dare to try....
As for the distributors of Holy Communion, I wish there was one rule and we all stuck to it, it's not something for the laity to be ambitious to be able to do though, that reminds me of the mother of the two apostles, arguing for them to sit at the left and right side of God. Do people realise what following means? It includes a route. The same route....remember where Jesus ended His walk on this earth. Lots of people want to 'be' God like, be it women priests or married ones or whatever else, but recall what that involves. If you can't sacrifice an earthly joy/gift for the priesthood, how do you intend to pick up a Cross? Start with the one in front of you!
Sorry for all my long posts Father. I'll clear off out of it for a while now.....I don't want to do yer head in hahaha!
Fr Finigan
There is nothing one can write, however accurate, clear and logical, that someone, somewhere will not misunderstand, in my experience...
People read, interpret and respond through a mass of filters. By all means set the record straight, but someone, somewhere will misunderstand that, too!
I think instead of discussing "how" people receive our Lord more emphasis should be put on "being in a state of grace" & formation for children, adults & clergy in examination of conscience.
I also think it is reasonable publicly to correct a public misrepresentation. Besides, I think the danger of people being misled to think there is a real theological dispute on the subject between Fr. and Mr. Pontet-Piccolomini was introduced by the latter. Mere private correction would not necessarily trickle through to the readers who might have been confused. If anything, I should think Father's blog post serves as a correction to that in pointing out that Mr. Pontet-Piccolomini's issues with Father were based on a mixture of misunderstanding and lack of available space in the original column.
However, in terms of an additional private response, it may be that Mr. Pontet-Piccolomini does not read this blog. In fact, it seems to me that he can't possibly follow this blog and yet have read Father's column in the light that he has.
Come on Fr, admit that sometimes you are a little soft in his Herald column- you clearly don't want a rep as a nasty fierce, rigid, insensitive, traditionalist priest and so you compensate by being slightly trendy or conciliatory.
Jackie - instead of "instead of" why not "as well as"?
The manner of receiving Holy Communion is important as an external sign of having the proper dispositions, and assists us to have those dispositions. People who emphasise external reverence also tend to emphasise interior disposition as well.
The two are not opposed to each other.
True Fr Tim.. in terms of reverence..I have rarely seen more reverence in receiving Our Blessed Lord than that of the Brigittine Sisters who ALL stand & receive on the hand..& receive the Precious Blood...it was my practice to kneel & receive on the tongue but I would choose to follow the Sisters if on retreat in their Convents...
I think what I'm realising is that someone kneeling & receiving on the tongue is not necessarily more inwardly prepared or in a state of grace..even though some may feel it "looks good"..
I thought the Bishops recent recommendations were quite sound..
I didn't think anyone could have the implausible name of Alan Pontet-Piccolomini until I did a little bit of research.
If my sources are correct, this man is a driving instructor. Now THEY won't let you get away with anything!
Shadowlands - what a great post! Our PP has started inviting the little children onto the Sanctuary & speaks to them during his sermon..
I'm personally not opposed to "Shine Jesus Shine!"...
Incidentally, I didn't have a problem with last week's column but I did with this week's. The question asks about missing Mass while one is on holiday and whether it needs to be confessed. Your answer considers the question implicitly from the point of view of positive law and when it can be suspended (or when the obligation does not apply).
Surely, however, the only reason we have a positive law telling us to go to Mass on Sunday is in order to help us fulfil the divine law that we must keep holy the Sabbath. Now, while we can be excused from fulfilling the positive law of going to Mass, is it not true that we cannot be excused from fulfilling the divine law of sanctifying the day in some way, e.g. by reading Scripture, praying the Mass or the Rosary or some other devotion? That at least was my understanding.
Ches - yes, we do still have the obligation of divine law. that would be worth addressing some time in the column.
Miles Mariae - no I don't want a rep as a nasty fierce, rigid, insensitive priest, though "traditionalist" is fine by me. St Francis de Sales and St Alphonsus are role models for me.
I hope that the column is conciliatory but "trendy" - never!
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