Respect For Christ In The Eucharist – One Priest’s Perspective

[The picture above is of my home in Fort Valley, Virginia, and the light is coming  from my chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. There is not  light in the window and there is no sun out on the day of the picture.] 

by Rev. Robert Lange

Americans have the option of receiving the Holy Eucharist on the tongue or in the hand.  The Vatican granted us the option of receiving on the hand in 1977. This was accomplished by an indult, a lifting of the law, so we may receive either way, on the tongue or in the hand.  The indult was granted because the American Bishops told the Vatican that their parishioners were clamoring for it.  “We can feed ourselves” was one of the specious arguments put forward. 

After Apostolic times, the Church gradually adopted Communion on the tongue as the universal practice.  In the early fourth century the Arians, who denied the divinity of Christ, revived the practice of receiving Communion in the hand specifically to show a lesser respect for Christ, believing that He is not “equal to the Father.” 

The universal Church law, which requires Holy Eucharist to be distributed to the faithful on their tongues, remains in force; it remains the law.  However the indult has the effect of making the law inapplicable where in force.

Foreseeing the demand for the indult coming, the Sacred Office for Divine Worship sent a letter to the presidents of the bishops’ conferences to advise them how they may implement this option if granted.  The letter spoke about reverence for the Holy Eucharist being the number one priority.  With this in mind, the letter went into great detail trying to explain this crucial concern.  The letter contained the following specifics. 

Communion on the hand is an option; it is not the primary way of receiving.  Catholics must be catechized to understand this important point.  No one is to be forced to receive on the hand. 

When receiving the Body of Christ on the hand, the faithful must be aware of the fact that each and every particle, no matter how small, is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.  Therefore no particle should ever be discarded or treated with less than total respect due to the Body of Christ.  

The faithful must also be reminded that their hands must be clean to receive our Lord, Jesus Christ.   

When ordained in 1986, I was a proponent of receiving Communion in the hand, but time has changed my thinking on this issue.  Seeing so many abuses and forming a deeper respect for Jesus’ true Presence in the Holy Eucharist were the factors which forced me to rethink my position. 

On March 28, 1965, when the catholic college I was attending opened their newly renovated chapel, we students were told how to receive the Holy Eucharist: standing and in the hand.  There was no option given. May I add that this was fully twelve years before any American diocese received the indult, which allowed for that option. 

Why did those priests, abbots and bishops disobey the authority of Rome? Communion in the hand became the norm for American Catholics in the 1960’s. In many cases the practice was not presented to us as optional, but as the way to receive. 

In my twenty-four years as a priest, I have served in many parishes and witnessed many Eucharistic abuses caused by receiving in the hand. I have picked Jesus off the floor from under pews and picked Him out of hymnals. I have followed people back to their seats and asked if they would give me the host back (they bring it out of a clinched hand or out of their pockets) and have witnessed many other sacrilegious desecrations of the most Blessed Sacrament, far too many and varied to mention, some so shocking most people would simply not believe my words. 

As I began to see these desecrations of the Holy Eucharist, I began to understand how very sickening, disheartening and avoidable all of this actually has been. Many religious education programs teach the children how to receive on the hand, with at most a cursory mention of the traditional way of receiving on the tongue.  Why?  The Church documents do not support such teaching. It was the same with many American dioceses in the 1960’s when the faithful were being coerced into receiving on the hand a decade before being granted the indult.  

Father Benedict Groeschel, a familiar face to EWTN viewers and an accomplished author, announced on his “Sunday Night Live With Fr. Groeschel” program that he considered Communion in the hand to be an abomination. That is strong language! 

Blessed Theresa of Calcutta was asked what was the worst thing that has happened to the Church in her lifetime. She replied without hesitation, “Communion in the hand.”  Again powerful language! 

Why would these two great figures of our time be so fervent in their opinions regarding this issue if it did not affect their whole being? Somehow I think they would agree that Communion in the hand is a true American tragedy. 

Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI leads by example.  Since becoming Pope, anyone receiving Holy Eucharist from him must receive on the tongue and kneeling. He is not requiring a change throughout the world, but is giving us a profound message by example.

Proper respect shown to the Holy Eucharist is primary.  Please consider these thoughts before receiving Holy Communion this Sunday.  Thank you.

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