Pope Gives Communion in the Hand in Berlin

TrueLight · #1 Jan 16, '12, 6:18 pm

This may be old news for your folks.

It looks likes people were taken off guard by the President of the Parliament, who knelt and then received in the hand.

Notice how he puts the host in his mouth right there and did not walk away with it.

http://en.gloria.tv/?media=198250

Anna Claire · #2 Jan 16, '12, 6:23 pm

Not sure what your point is....?

TrueLight · #3 Jan 16, '12, 6:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Claire

Not sure what your point is....?

I have actually never seen the Pope giving communion in the hand. So that's news for me.

DihydrogenOxide · #4 Jan 16, '12, 6:28 pm

That's a rarity with him. He prefers to give it on the tongue. That is the preferred method of the Church.

TrueLight · #5 Jan 16, '12, 6:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DihydrogenOxide

That's a rarity with him. He prefers to give it on the tongue. That is the preferred method of the Church.

Did you see how the people surrounding him glanced at each other in surprise? I think they assumed once he knelt, he was going to receive on the tongue.

Anathama Sit · #6 Jan 16, '12, 6:48 pm

Yeah that surprised me as well. Perhaps the Holy Father made an exception for a fellow German head of state. I don't know.

TrueLight · #7 Jan 16, '12, 6:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anathama Sit

Yeah that surprised me as well. Perhaps the Holy Father made an exception for a fellow German head of state. I don't know.

Could be. There might hae been a discussion beforehand.

YoungTradCath · #8 Jan 16, '12, 7:00 pm

Looked planned. Man with the paten didn't even extend it for him like he did for the next man.

zab · #9 Jan 16, '12, 7:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Did you see how the people surrounding him glanced at each other in surprise? I think they assumed once he knelt, he was going to receive on the tongue.

No. I only noticed how the Pope did not hesitate to give him Communion in the hand.

TrueLight · #10 Jan 16, '12, 7:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungTradCath

Looked planned. Man with the paten didn't even extend it for him like he did for the next man.

Hmm you're right. Looks like the man with the paten

and our Holy Father knew what was up ahead of time.

DihydrogenOxide · #11 Jan 16, '12, 7:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Did you see how the people surrounding him glanced at each other in surprise? I think they assumed once he knelt, he was going to receive on the tongue.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure that it was because he looked down at his hands when he put them out, motioning to take in the hands. I'm going to guess that the Pope did it out of politeness, since, obviously the man didn't seem to realize how it was to be done and was used to taking Communion in the hand.

Thankfulness · #12 Jan 16, '12, 7:27 pm

After the first Consecration there is no indication that Communion in the hand is wrong, so the Pope is doing nothing wrong.

"After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 17-20

Nor is there any rule in Matthew 26
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

TrueLight · #13 Jan 16, '12, 7:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thankfulness

After the first Consecration there is no indication that Communion in the hand is wrong, so the Pope is doing nothing wrong.

"After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 17-20

I don't think anyone is saying the Pope is doing something wrong.

NewEnglandPriest · #14 Jan 16, '12, 7:32 pm

The Pope usually gives out communion only on the tongue as a matter of "Eucharistic security." They are essentially afraid that someone will steal the host and either attempt to sell it or simply display it or worse.

However, in this particular case, I'm sure the Holy Father had no such concerns regarding Germany's head of Parliament.

Thankfulness · #15 Jan 16, '12, 7:34 pm

Maybe not but some people do indicate from time to time in these forums that it is wrong to give Communion in the hand.

So just pointing out it isn't mandatory in the gospels at least, how Communion should be given.
However the highest care and reverence is in fact due.