MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Communion At A Traditional Latin Mass

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In the Traditional Latin Mass, communicants are to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, from the priest, while kneeling (unless physically unable).

In the Traditional Latin Mass, the priest says the following to each communicant when administering Holy Communion...

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen." (Latin for: "May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting. Amen.")

Note: The priest says 'Amen'. The Communicant does NOT say 'Amen'.

The use of 'Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist' (wrongly, but popularly called "Eucharistic Ministers") – lay persons distributing Holy Communion – began in the 20th century as a result of disobedience to the Pope. Their use, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, has contributed to irreverence, loss of faith, confusion of the priestly role, desecration, and sacrilege. Their use is an entire break with Catholic tradition, and it coincides with Protestant sensibilities. It should be noted that the Second Vatican Council never called for their use. As the Council of Trent states...

"In the sacramental reception it has always been the custom in the Church of God that the laity receive Communion from the priests and that priests who are celebrating Mass give Communion to themselves. This custom should rightly and deservedly be kept as coming down from apostolic tradition."

Thankfully, therefore, 'Lay Ministers' are not used in the Traditional Latin 'Tridentine' Mass.

Note: For more information on this topic, try here.

Introduction of Communion under both species for lay persons in the 20th century began as a result of disobedience to the Pope. It has contributed to irreverence, desecration, and sacrilege. It has caused some Catholics to erroneously (and heretically) believe that it is necessary to Communicate under both species or that they receive Christ "more fully" if they receive Holy Communion under both species. It has also led to the widespread proliferation of 'Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist' (lay persons dispensing Holy Communion), a practice always condemned by the Church (see here for more information). This practice has been especially foisted on the faithful by certain groups (e.g. liberals/modernists, feminists). In practice, it leads various problems (e.g. spillage & profanation, confusion of teaching, hygiene / sanitation concerns, danger of infection / spread of disease, interference with medications, etc.).

Note that the Church has ruled that it is NOT necessary for the laity to receive Holy Communion under both species. For example, consider this quote from the Council of Trent...

"The holy council, guided by the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of godliness (see Isa. 11:2), and following the custom and the judgment of the Church itself, teaches and declares that the laity and clerics who are not celebrating are not bound by any divine command to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist under both species. And faith leaves no possibility of doubting that Communion under one species is sufficient for salvation." (Council of Trent)

Therefore, only the priest receives Holy Communion under both species in the Traditional Latin 'Tridentine' Mass.

Note: For more information on this topic, try here.

Like the reception of Communion under both species and the use of 'Lay ministers', introduction of Communion in the hand for lay persons in the 20th century began as a result of disobedience to the Pope. It has contributed to irreverence, loss of faith, desecration and sacrilege. Communion in the hand often results in sacred particles – Christ's true Flesh and Blood – being dropped on the floor and trampled on by parishioners. In fact, since most people fail to examine their hands for sacred particles after receiving Holy Communion in the hand, there could be dozens or more sacred particles on the floor in any parish where this practice is tolerated. This means that many people at each parish may literally be stepping on Christ's body – even those parishioners who don't take Communion in the hand. Remember that...

"If any one denieth that in the venerable sacrament of the Eucharist the whole Christ is contained under each species, and under every part of each species, when separated; let him be anathema." (Council of Trent)

Unfortunately, many were "influenced to adopt this practice by deceitful measures, by 'a campaign of deliberate deception and misleading propaganda'". No known pope recommends this practice. Further, the practice of Communion in the hand lessens respect for the Holy Eucharist, contributes to sacrilege & desecration, leads to loss of faith in the Real Presence, detracts from priestly dignity, and places lay persons on the same level as priests. It has been used as a tool by liberals and feminists who want to change the Church. Thankfully, therefore, 'Communion in the hand' for the laity is not permitted in the 'Tridentine' Mass, where handling of the Holy Eucharist is reserved to the consecrated hands of the priest.

Note: For more information on this topic, try here.

Did you know? It is still possible – thanks be to God! – to lawfully attend the Traditional Latin Mass. The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass differs from the 1960's Novus Ordo Mass in many & significant ways (try here for more information). To locate a Traditional Latin Mass in your area, try here.

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