Thursday, July 31, 2014

Hand or mouth?

I saw an interesting post on Facebook this week advocating for everyone to receive the Eucharist by mouth, as to keep reverent the reception of our Lord.  Some of the commenters even went so far to say that we should kneel while receiving and only receive from a priest because his hands are the only hands that are consecrated.  I immediately began researching and ended up reading Memoriale Domini.  From what I read, it seems that reception in the hand is allowed only in certain instances.  Does anyone know of an "updated" document from the Church?  I'm trying to figure out when or if the teaching of that document changed.  What is the norm in your area?  How do you receive?
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7 comments:

  1. claireJuly 31, 2014 at 2:43 AM

    I receive in the hand, which is pretty standard in my area (although people can receive by mouth if they want to). I don't understand why receiving by mouth is perceived to be more reverent. And as far as the priest's hands being consecrated, once a host is consecrated, it's consecrated and is the body of Christ regardless of who administers it. I prefer to receive from the priest (especially when my son is with me, so he can get a blessing), but I don't see anything wrong with receiving from an extraordinary minister. I don't know of any updated documents, but I think there must be some, since receiving in the hand is so common.

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  2. CatholicMomInOzJuly 31, 2014 at 4:40 PM

    Well, I agree with you. I receive in the hand most of the time. And as a Eucharistic Minister, I always bless the little ones who come through my line. I'll keep looking for more info.

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    1. claireJuly 31, 2014 at 5:14 PM

      The Eucharistic ministers at my parish usually give my son a blessing, too. I prefer that he get a blessing from the priest, but I don't go out of my way to go in the priest's line. If we end up in the line of a Eucharistic minister, that's fine with me. As long as I'm receiving the body of Christ, it's all good!

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  3. Pilgrims9December 8, 2014 at 12:02 PM

    This is a bit of an old post...but I just came across it & thought I'd share this beautiful reflection on this topic from the perspective of a priest-monk (Abbot Emeritus of Holy Transfiguration Monastery) who is administering the Holy Eucharist to the faithful... Open You Mouth an I Will Fill It: http://wordincarnate.blogspot.com/2006/09/open-your-mouth-and-i-will-fill-it.html

    Hope you all are having a blessed Advent/Nativity Fast!

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    1. Pilgrims9December 8, 2014 at 12:03 PM

      Sorry, typing too quick...the title of the post I sent a link to should be "Open Your Mouth and I Will Fill It"...

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  4. claireDecember 8, 2014 at 2:14 PM

    Thanks for sharing Pilgrims! I have really missed this blog. I hope you are all having a great Advent!

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  5. CatholicMomInOzDecember 8, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    Hi, ladies! I miss you, too. Working full-time again really rocked my world. I feel like things are finally settling down, so I'm hoping to be back soon. Praying you are all having a peaceful and holy Advent.

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