Only taking Communion from a Priest is heresy?

ForGood · #1 Mar 28, '12, 1:07 pm

Last night in a class I'm auditing on Church history - we were discussing the Church today and different topics came up regarding changes and communion, litury, etc. It was brought up how so many people jump communion lines to receive from only the priest and not an extraordinary minister.

I'm guilty of this one but I didn't say anything because everyone else was saying how it's terribly wrong to do so and that its against the Church's teaching. It doesn't matter who's hand you get the communion from, be it Bishop or beggar???

Would someone please explain this to me? Personally, I receive from only the Priest whenever possible because that's the way I like to do so. I recieve in the hand b/c I'm too selfconscious to do otherwise when I would really prefer to receive on the tongue, at a rail, kneeling. I know that's not going to happen.

It was also mentioned that jumping lines for communion is actually heresy because the person doing so is going against the Church's teaching. I'm so confused.

If someone doesn't care either way and recieves however, fine, I don't tell them they are doing it wrong. But, if I prefer to receive the way I do, why do people feel the need to tell me I'm wrong?

Cristiano · #2 Mar 28, '12, 1:12 pm

It would be heretical thinking if you believed that the Communion was not valid because you received form someone that is not a priest, anything else is just a personal preference. I think that they do not know what they are talking about.

Godfollower · #3 Mar 28, '12, 1:33 pm

Arguing that you should or must "jump" lines because laypeople can't validly distribute Holy Communion would be heresy, I suppose, if you held obstinately to that viewpoint after having had the Church's teaching explained to you. But that isn't what you're describing of your own practice.

Quote:

Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.

Code of Canon Law, canon 751.

Preferring to receive from the priest rather than from a layperson isn't heresy. I suppose you could call it a superstition of sorts if you really wanted to push the issue, but that's about it.

agnes therese · #4 Mar 28, '12, 1:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristiano

It would be heretical thinking if you believed that the Communion was not valid because you received form someone that is not a priest, anything else is just a personal preference. I think that they do not know what they are talking about.

Exactly. There's nothing wrong with having a preference.

edward_george · #5 Mar 28, '12, 1:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godfollower

Arguing that you should or must "jump" lines because laypeople can't validly distribute Holy Communion would be heresy, I suppose, if you held obstinately to that viewpoint after having had the Church's teaching explained to you. But that isn't what you're describing of your own practice.

Code of Canon Law, canon 751.

Preferring to receive from the priest rather than from a layperson isn't heresy. I suppose you could call it a superstition of sorts if you really wanted to push the issue, but that's about it.

Even arguing that you should jump lines is not heresy since this is not a matter of faith and morals, but a practice. It might be rude or impolitic to line-jump at communion, but it could never be "heretical" to do so. The passage of the Catechism you cite affirms this--no one is denying anything which is part of the deposit of faith because they prefer to receive communion from a priest only.

-ACEGC

Luigi Daniele · #6 Mar 28, '12, 1:56 pm

I do this (unless the other line is "manned" by another priest or a deacon)

EDIT: to be clear, I don't switch lines. At our parish the priest always mans the right side (his left). An extraordinary minister stands to the right, just in front of the 1st pew. I never go to him (or sit on the left side of the church)

Godfollower · #7 Mar 28, '12, 2:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by edward_george

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godfollower

Arguing that you should or must "jump" lines because laypeople can't validly distribute Holy Communion would be heresy, I suppose, if you held obstinately to that viewpoint after having had the Church's teaching explained to you. But that isn't what you're describing of your own practice.

Quote:

Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.

Code of Canon Law, canon 751.

Preferring to receive from the priest rather than from a layperson isn't heresy. I suppose you could call it a superstition of sorts if you really wanted to push the issue, but that's about it.

Even arguing that you should jump lines is not heresy since this is not a matter of faith and morals, but a practice. It might be rude or impolitic to line-jump at communion, but it could never be "heretical" to do so. The passage of the Catechism you cite affirms this--no one is denying anything which is part of the deposit of faith because they prefer to receive communion from a priest only.

-ACEGC

No, I'm not saying that making the argument "You should jump lines" is a heresy. I was simply commenting that making the argument "You should jump lines because laypeople can't validly distribute Holy Communion" could be heresy if you were obstinately persisting in that viewpoint. And, yes, it could be heretical if it was based on such an obstinately held disagreement with Church teaching.

But it almost never is. At worst, it's possibly a form of superstition, depending on the reason for jumping to the priest's line. I would speculate that most cases aren't even that.

SonCatcher · #8 Mar 28, '12, 2:23 pm

I've been known to regularly "jump lines" if one happens to be moving faster (such that its end has already passed me) - I thought it polite so the priest/deacon/emhc doesn't have to stand around while the other finishes up. I hope that behavior isn't covered by the objection.

MariaGoretti88 · #9 Mar 28, '12, 2:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForGood

Last night in a class I'm auditing on Church history - we were discussing the Church today and different topics came up regarding changes and communion, litury, etc. It was brought up how so many people jump communion lines to receive from only the priest and not an extraordinary minister.

I'm guilty of this one but I didn't say anything because everyone else was saying how it's terribly wrong to do so and that its against the Church's teaching. It doesn't matter who's hand you get the communion from, be it Bishop or beggar???

Would someone please explain this to me? Personally, I receive from only the Priest whenever possible because that's the way I like to do so. I recieve in the hand b/c I'm too selfconscious to do otherwise when I would really prefer to receive on the tongue, at a rail, kneeling. I know that's not going to happen.

It was also mentioned that jumping lines for communion is actually heresy because the person doing so is going against the Church's teaching. I'm so confused.

If someone doesn't care either way and recieves however, fine, I don't tell them they are doing it wrong. But, if I prefer to receive the way I do, why do people feel the need to tell me I'm wrong?

Hmmm I think we are having some little vocab problems because heresy is actually has to do with going against a revealed Catholic belief/doctrine, but I think you meant sacrilege which is an abuse of a Sacrament of sacramental or using it improperly or superstition maybe if you have a wrong mindset I guess you could argue. I see what you're trying to say though lol.

And I wouldn't say that receiving from a consecrated minister is at all committing any of those offenses. I used to receive from only priests or deacons and only on the tongue. This is part of your personal devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and you are entitled to do this. This is what you feel called to do.You're not breaking any rules and you are actually setting a good example I believe.

That said, I do believe someone can receive piously and devoutly while standing, receiving ITH, and from an EMHC technically.

I applaud what you do!

ForGood · #10 Mar 28, '12, 2:56 pm

Wow! Thanks for all the great answers. I get it now that my personal preference is just that a preference. I dont think that it's only Him if the priest gives it to me - I just prefer to receive from a priest. I fear that some in my class, however, would argue against the personal preference idea though too. I've jumped a line to receive from the Bishop because I figured I wouldn't get that chance too often. It must be genetic because my Mom jumps lines to her favorite Priest and not "that other one!". LOL.

Digitonomy · #11 Mar 28, '12, 4:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonCatcher

I've been known to regularly "jump lines" if one happens to be moving faster (such that its end has already passed me) - I thought it polite so the priest/deacon/emhc doesn't have to stand around while the other finishes up. I hope that behavior isn't covered by the objection.

I think that is a polite thing to do in most churches, depending on the layout and the local custom.

I think manners is the bigger issue the OP should consider in switching lines. People in line for communion should be allowed to concentrate on their impending reception of the Eucharist, in prayer or meditation as they slowly move forward in line, with everyone around them doing the same thing. When someone moves sideways and thus disturbs the solemn flow, it demands attention. Someone in the congregation could be ill or injured, or it may be that a child has broken free and needs to be corralled or at least watched to avoid collisions. Whatever the issue, most communicants in line are going to do the responsible thing and break off their contemplation so they can deal with whatever minor or major emergency is underway.

So if you feel the need to do this, either do it like Luigi Daniele does, where no additional movement is required, or sit in the back and zip from one line to the other behind all the pews, where the commotion won't be noticed much in the hubbub of people visiting the restroom and skipping out after receiving communion.

Anna Claire · #12 Mar 28, '12, 7:40 pm

It is not acceptable that when there are set standards, people do not follow the set standards. A person’s gifts and a community’s needs should dictate respect given to any expression of service. This has nothing to do with preference. It's about unity in the Body of Christ. Serving in this ministry, lay or ordained, honors the gifts of that person and reflects Christ's ministry who came to serve and urges us to do the same.

TrueLight · #13 Mar 28, '12, 7:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digitonomy

So if you feel the need to do this, either do it like Luigi Daniele does, where no additional movement is required, or sit in the back and zip from one line to the other behind all the pews, where the commotion won't be noticed much in the hubbub of people visiting the restroom and skipping out after receiving communion.

That's what I do.

Best thing to do is to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Anna Claire · #14 Mar 28, '12, 7:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueLight

That's what I do.

Best thing to do is to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Think about this...if you have to be "unobtrusive as possible"...there is something wrong with this picture.

Richard320 · #15 Mar 28, '12, 8:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luigi Daniele

I do this (unless the other line is "manned" by another priest or a deacon)

EDIT: to be clear, I don't switch lines. At our parish the priest always mans the right side (his left). An extraordinary minister stands to the right, just in front of the 1st pew. I never go to him (or sit on the left side of the church)

Exactly! There's certain advantages to going to the same Mass regularly. One of them is knowing where to sit - besides Communion, it's nice to know just where the AC vents are in the Summer!

There's nothing wrong with preferring to receive Communion from an Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion versus an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

And if you want to throw some legalistic stuff back at them, here's one:

Quote:

[88.] The faithful should normally receive sacramental Communion of the Eucharist during Mass itself, at the moment laid down by the rite of celebration, that is to say, just after the Priest celebrant’s Communion.[172] It is the Priest celebrant’s responsibility to minister Communion, perhaps assisted by other Priests or Deacons; and he should not resume the Mass until after the Communion of the faithful is concluded. Only when there is a necessity may extraordinary ministers assist the Priest celebrant in accordance with the norm of law.[173]
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/co...tml#Chapter IV

Bold added by me.

That's not some musty old pre-V2 text, either - that's only a few years old. JPII put it out to try and put an end to liturgical improv.