Pope Benedicts wishes for communicants

[Christine85]

Hi thanks for reading, I have a feeling there would already be a thread somewhere about this but I couldn't find it.
I have started receiving communion on the tongue when I heard and read that the Holy Father wishes to return to the custom of kneeling and receiving communion on the tongue.
Yes the Church allows in the hand also, but from what I have heard and read is he wants to return to the old way.
A Priest from a parish I attended last night in his homily pretty much spoke the homily about how receiving on the tongue is the "old way " and that people "don't want to change".
He pretty much said it's wrong, though I was pleased that he added that however we receive Christ is good as long as we receive him.
I suppose the point is- does anyone care to join me in doing it as the Pope intends it to be done?
Does anyone have any idea why so many people aren't accepting what the Pope had said.
I sincerely hope that this is not a sign of division in the Church between traditional customs and the newer version of the Mass... Because this is how it's starting to seem.
What do you think ?

[Rich C]

For Roman Catholics it's definitely the most reverent way to receive Holy Communion (for those who physically can). Last year I stopped receiving on the hands and then later began kneeling to receive. Sometimes it's awkward when I go to the OF Mass with family and there's a lay person distributing Holy Communion but I feel lowly in the presence of my Lord (not lowly enough) and I can't imagine doing it any other way now. I'm in.

[Christine85]

Hey Rich!! Thanks for your quick response.
I have felt since receiving directly on the tongue that it's definitely more sacred. I love it. I had such blessed experiences with the Eucharist since doing this.
I have knelt at the Latin Mass. My first communion there was from the retired Bishop of Christ Church NZ. It really seriously felt as though it was my first proper communion. So special I'll never forget it
I read that even Mother Theresa was saddened at people receiving Jesus in the hand .

[Rich C]

Hi, Christine! Yes, kneeling for Holy Communion is a really powerful experience. Sadly there are parishes where profound reverence for the Blessed Sacrament makes you stand out rather than blend in, but if your heart is humble, the opinion of others on kneeling is irrelevent and you may be a good witness for the significant number of Catholics who don't even believe in the Real Presence.

[Christine85]

Yes that is truly the case. IT IS The Real Presence we are dealing with here. I just wish people would love Jesus in this Sacrament as though it really is him. Even I find it all a mystery sometimes but I believe the Eucharist is the most powerful thing we have on Earth.
For anyone doubting this reality , look into Eucharistic miracles such as Lanciano.
It's so amazing and whenever I look at photos of the Lanciano miracle I'm always in awe and in love.

[bmullins]

I think many see the suggestion that only the priest is worthy to touch the body of Christ and that our hands are too unclean (but our bodies aren't?) to handle the host before it goes into our body, a bit uncomfortable. Is this what it symbolizes? To some yes. In fact, the entire form before symbolized the priest being so different from the people that they weren't even a part of the consecration.

For many, the church allowing them to participate and be a part of the body of Christ in this way was eye opening and freeing. For others it broke away from what they were used to. It's going to be a difficult road, and many are going to agree or disagree as they feel led to do so. I myself have no problem with receiving either way, but am more comfortable with receiving via the hands. It's what I have experienced all of my Catholic life (as short as that is).

I think either of them done with proper reverence is a beautiful thing, and either of them done without proper reverence is a horrible thing. I do think though, while I'm not a 'fan' of it, that having to pause and kneel and submit to the authority of the priest must be a powerful thing. So that does give me something to ponder. But then we are all part of the priesthood of the church, that is another thought to ponder.

[John of Patmos]

Originally Posted by Rich C

Hi, Christine! Yes, kneeling for Holy Communion is a really powerful experience. Sadly there are parishes where profound reverence for the Blessed Sacrament makes you stand out rather than blend in, but if your heart is humble, the opinion of others on kneeling is irrelevent and you may be a good witness for the significant number of Catholics who don't even believe in the Real Presence.

I want to kneel, I'm just scared the the EM will drop Our Lord.
Receiving on the tongue means fewer scruples.

[Christine85]

Bmullins- I agree about the being submissive to a Priest. I sometimes wonder if I would have been better off being around when it was all in the form prior to Vatican II
I can see how both ways of receiving may be taken to extremes, though I would rather feel minor in comparison to the Priests, in favor of showing sacredness to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

[AlexPetrosPio]

Originally Posted by bmullins

I think either of them done with proper reverence is a beautiful thing, and either of them done without proper reverence is a horrible thing. I do think though, while I'm not a 'fan' of it, that having to pause and kneel and submit to the authority of the priest must be a powerful thing. So that does give me something to ponder. But then we are all part of the priesthood of the church, that is another thought to ponder.

It's the authority of Christ, not the priest. Who am I to stand before the Almighty? Yes, officially, the Church allows for communicants to stand and receive in the hand, so it does not scandalize me to see others receiving in such a way. But I am not submitting to the power of the priest, but humbling myself before the power of Christ.

However, even theologically, yes

yet we are not offering the Eucharistic sacrifice, therefore we are to acknowledge the position the priest has that we do not. So, yes, the priest is different as our priesthood is an offering of ourselves as sacrifice to the Cross (among others) while the priesthood of the presbyter is Eucharistic, allowing Christ to become present to us.

[Christine85]

I think the Pope has certainly been inspired on this matter as there seems to be a lack of understanding , reverence and knowledge of the Eucharist since receiving on the hand, so most people say. I had received it that way in the past but decided to take the plunge to receive on tongue and kneel when at Latin Mass ( though given the courage I will aim to do so at the ordinary Mass too), the change is certainly noticeable as somehow it seems like more of a direct experience. I felt holding it in my own hands I would look at it and understand it's sacredness but it didn't really make sense that I so fickle and unconsecrated as I am was holding it. It just didn't make sense!!

[Esrb99]

I have been receiving on the tongue, kneeling in my Ordinary Form Parish for the past month or so... its been a humbling experience.

Oddly enough, my parish priest spoke out to 17-18 year olds making their confirmation soon during a retreat. While doing so, he spoke at length about some 'college kids' inquiring about the 'old mass'. He said, "Old mass? I don't know what this old mass is? Old mass, new mass... what's the difference? If anything, we're more loving, etc..." My sister who is getting confirmed was completely taken aback by it, and felt out of place. He said that people should do what those around them do, not what is most reverent.

[Christine85]

I think people from the ordinary form may be more friendly and warm... In my experience. There's got to be some way a balance can be met

[CB Catholic]

Originally Posted by Christine85

Hi thanks for reading, I have a feeling there would already be a thread somewhere about this but I couldn't find it.
I have started receiving communion on the tongue when I heard and read that the Holy Father wishes to return to the custom of kneeling and receiving communion on the tongue.
Yes the Church allows in the hand also, but from what I have heard and read is he wants to return to the old way.
A Priest from a parish I attended last night in his homily pretty much spoke the homily about how receiving on the tongue is the "old way " and that people "don't want to change".
He pretty much said it's wrong, though I was pleased that he added that however we receive Christ is good as long as we receive him.
I suppose the point is- does anyone care to join me in doing it as the Pope intends it to be done?
Does anyone have any idea why so many people aren't accepting what the Pope had said.
I sincerely hope that this is not a sign of division in the Church between traditional customs and the newer version of the Mass... Because this is how it's starting to seem.
What do you think ?

I am not debating your motive for receiving on the tongue, as I also receive on the tongue, but I would like to know where exactly did the Pope make such statements? Can you cite something? I know he distributes on the tongue personally, but has stated that is because of problems in such large crowds with people trying to take the host with them as a souvenir or something. He does not appear to be promoting Communion kneeling and on the tongue generally, as those at his Papal masses can and do receive standing and in the hand from the Eucharistic ministers. He never insists that people receive on the tongue generally in his travels. That is why I am asking for actual words and quotes, within context. And I think that is why so many people aren't accepting what the Pope supposedly said. There has not been a clear call from the Pope to change the practice.

[Erich]

Originally Posted by Christine85

I have started receiving communion on the tongue when I heard and read that the Holy Father wishes to return to the custom of kneeling and receiving communion on the tongue.

I have returned to receiving on the tongue, though I do not kneel.

Originally Posted by AlexPetrosPio

So, yes, the priest is different as our priesthood is an offering of ourselves as sacrifice to the Cross (among others) while the priesthood of the presbyter is Eucharistic, allowing Christ to become present to us.

We are all called to be priest, prophet, and king. How do we do this? We worship God and we pray (priest), we "go in peace to love and serve the Lord" and we proclaim God's word (prophet) by our words and deeds, and we lead others (king) to God by our example. The difference between our priesthood and the ordained priesthood is that our priesthood is "service to God" (worship, prayer, thanksgiving, adoration, etc.) whereas the ordained priesthood is "service to the people of God" (offering the Sacrifice of the Mass, hearing confessions, etc.)

[Friar David, O.Carm]

Originally Posted by Christine85

I have started receiving communion on the tongue when I heard and read that the Holy Father wishes to return to the custom of kneeling and receiving communion on the tongue.

Can you point to where a source where the Holy Father makes this wish known?