To be sure, this practice has been allowed for by the Vatican in the document Memoriale Domini. Of particular note, is that the Congregation makes quite clear that: "However, the Church's prescriptions and the evidence of the Fathers make it abundantly clear that the greatest reverence was shown the Blessed Sacrament, and that people acted with the greatest prudence." Given the crisis in faith in the Holy Eucharist today for many people, one wonders whether this might not be of concern again today in 2011. In general, there has been a desacralization of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as one need only look at the attire that has changed and become the norm over the last 50 years. What was once shirt and tie for men has become shorts and a t-shirt/tank top many times.
Again, to be absolutely fair, in this document which is the basis for the Church allowing for Communion on the hands, the Congregation for Divine Worship also noted historically that:
Later, with a deepening understanding of the truth of the eucharistic mystery, of its power and of the presence of Christ in it, there came a greater feeling of reverence towards this sacrament and a deeper humility was felt to be demanded when receiving it. Thus the custom was established of the minister placing a particle of consecrated bread on the tongue of the communicant.
This method of distributing holy communion must be retained, taking the present situation of the Church in the entire world into account, not merely because it has many centuries of-tradition behind it, but especially because it expresses the faithful's reverence for the Eucharist.
Looking around today, one rarely sees people maintaining this practice, however. It is unfortunate, i think, because nature itself demonstrates the beauty of being fed by one's mother. Consider the little baby birds, before they can fly they merely open their mouth for their mother who has flown the heights and depths of the sky and has wisdom to share merely open their mouth to receive what is being offered to them so that they too can one day fly.
Fr. Z over at the blog called "What does the Prayer really say?" had an interesting article about his take on the allowance for Reception of Holy Communion on the tongue. To sum it up: he is against it. It is important to note that Communion on the hand is not an absolute right, and in fact, as the article Fr. Z is commenting on points out in the document Redemptionis Sacramentum the church made it clear that it is only allowed in places where the permission has been granted. We do live in a place (The good ole US of A) where this permission has been granted, by the way. Nevertheless, it is worth re-considering the weight of the Tradition and the significance of allowing ourselves to be taken care of by Holy Mother Church. To be fed by our Lord is always a good a thing, and never more excellent than at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with his own Body & Blood.
Perhaps, by our choice, we might consider receiving Holy Communion on the tongue as a sign of personal submission and humility to Christ and His Church which feeds us with the Sacrament of Redemption, the Holy Eucharist.
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