MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Communion In The Hand Questions

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We hold the traditional position of the Church that lay Catholics should NOT receive Holy Communion in the hand...

"Wherever I go in the whole world, the thing that makes me the saddest is watching people receive Communion in the hand." (Mother Teresa)

There are, in fact, numerous and important reasons why faithful lay Catholics should never receive Communion in the hand. For example, this practice...

(1) Lessens respect for the Holy Eucharist

(2) Contributes to sacrilege & desecration

(3) Leads to loss of faith in the Real Presence

(4) Goes against the expressed wishes of recent popes and was introduced in the 20th century in defiance of their wishes (and it was deceptively promoted – many of the faithful were influenced to adopt this practice by deceitful measures, "a campaign of deliberate deception and misleading propaganda")

(5) 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. It is useful to remember the Church's constant teaching regarding the fact that even the tiniest particle of the Eucharist contains Christ's Body, whole and entire...

"Yes, the same Jesus Christ is just as much in a particle of a host as in a whole host." (Catechism of St. Pius X)

(6) Requires that one 'self-communicate' – even though Holy Communion should NOT be handled by lay persons...

"To touch the sacred species...is a privilege of the ordained" (Pope John Paul II)

"To safeguard in every possible way the dignity of so august a Sacrament, not only is the power of its administration entrusted exclusively to priests, but the Church has also prohibited by law any but consecrated persons, unless some case of great necessity intervene, to dare handle or touch the sacred vessels, the linen, or other instruments necessary to its completion. Priests themselves and the rest of the faithful may hence understand how great should be the piety and holiness of those who approach to consecrate, administer or receive the Eucharist." (Catechism of the Council of Trent)

(7) Detracts from priestly dignity and appears to place lay persons on the same level as priests

(8) Displays a lack of humility

(9) Engenders an "unbecoming familiarity"

(10) "Discourages reverence for the mystery", "precludes awe", and "all but extinguishes a sense of sacredness"

(11) Has been used as a tool by liberals and feminists who want to change the Church

(12) May physically sully the Holy Eucharist and lead to illness since those who receive Communion in the hand do not wash their hands before handling the Blessed Sacrament [Note: Those who receive Communion in the hand may have, only minutes previously, touched filthy dollar bills (e.g. for the collection), touched contaminated collection baskets, touched the unwashed hands of multiple strangers (e.g. 'sign of peace'), sneezed or coughed into their hands, lifted dirty kneelers, etc.]

(13) Was inspired by Protestants - it was purposely introduced by Protestant 'Reformers' in the 16th century to destroy belief in the Real Presence

(14) Has aided those who steal the Holy Eucharist for use in satanic rituals

Etc.

Note: For more on this topic, see here ("Communion in the Hand: Why Not?")

Also Note: Practices/abuses such as Communion in the hand are (generally) specific to the Novus Ordo (New Order) Mass of the 1960's. To avoid such practices, consider attending the Traditional Latin Mass. Thankfully, the Traditional Latin Mass is still lawfully said throughout the world. This ancient & incomparable, highly reverent Mass contains numerous & significant differences from the 1960's Novus Ordo Mass (try here for more information). To locate a Traditional Latin Mass in your area, try here.

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