Pope prefers Communion on the tongue, Msgr. Marini says

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Vatican City, Jun 25, 2008 / 04:51 pm (CNA).- In interview published in the Wednesday edition of L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict’s new Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Guido Marini, says he believes that people receiving Communion kneeling and on the tongue will become common practice at the Vatican.

Msgr. Marini’s comments were made during an interview with Gianluca Biccini on some of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent liturgical decisions and their meaning.

Biccini noted in the exchange that Pope Benedict distributed Holy Communion to people who knelt and received the host on their tongues during his visit to Brindisi (Southern Italy) last week.

When he was asked if this would become a common practice at the Vatican, Marini responded, "I believe so."

"In this regard it is necessary not to forget the fact that the distribution of Communion on the hand remains, up to now, from the juridical standpoint, an exception (indult) to the universal law, conceded by the Holy See to those bishops' conferences who requested it,” the liturgical master of ceremonies reminded.

Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and the United States are all countries that have been granted an exception from the universal practice of receiving Communion on the tongue.

It seems though that the Pope wants to provide an example for the Church, according to Msgr. Marini, “The form adopted by Benedict XVI is meant to highlight the force of this valid norm for the whole Church."

"It could also be noted that the (Pope's) preference for such form of distribution which, without taking anything away from the other one, better highlights the truth of the real presence in the Eucharist, helps the devotion of the faithful, and introduces more easily to the sense of mystery. Aspects which, in our times, pastorally speaking, it is urgent to highlight and recover."

Comments: 16

Subscriber comments:

Published by: kneeling catholic
Corpus Christi, Texas 01/19/2010 11:21 AM EST

>>>>>Actually, kneeling and communion on the tongue were Middle Age developments not at all in keeping with the original and devout way of receiving the eucharist, i.e., in the hand <<<< That statement did not come from the real kneeling catholic. someone has stolen my identity! An imposter and an ignorant one to boot! k.c.

Published by: Sr Patricia
London UK 01/04/2010 02:37 PM EST

Communion on the tongue is the only way to receive. A priest has his hands consecrated at ordination, therefore only he should touch the Holy Eucharist. Yes, it was the practice centuries ago to receive in the hand, this was abolished because of the abuses that were taking place. Since Vatican II I have seen people place the sacred Host into pockets to consume later. Vatican II has a lot to answer for. Thank God some of us retained the old traditions with all the reverence and respect that goes with them.

Published by: Anthony H
Calgary/Alberta/Canada 08/09/2009 07:48 PM EST

This is the right step, I am suprised by the lack of respect for the host of Christ in the hand. If one finds displaying ones tongue and kneeling they should go back to Catholic 101 and start with a look at there pride.

Published by: kneeling catholic
Corpus Christi, Texas 08/07/2009 08:27 AM EST

>>>Actually, kneeling and communion on the tongue were Middle Age developments not at all in keeping with the original and devout way of receiving the eucharist, i.e., in the hand

Published by: The Convert
Fatima, Portugal 08/03/2009 09:46 AM EST

As it should be.

Little by little the cancer of Vatican II is fading away. Thanks be to God.

Published by: marieann garcia
japan 05/16/2009 09:04 AM EST

If we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist,Body,Bloo, Soul and Divinity, then why dont we kneel? why dont we crawl? accrdg to Cardinal Arinze. i cant understand why people find it so hard to bend their knees before their maker. God bless You Pope Benedict XVI. I pray that the Pope would urge all bishops and priests to make it standard to kneel and receive Jesus in the tongue as what and how the angel of Fatima did to the 3 shepherd children. There is no other better way to show reverence to Jesus presence than by kneeling and in the tongue. Lord increase our faith...

Published by: Alistair
UK 04/02/2009 02:16 PM EST

I find Communion in the hand a beautiful and reverent experience, which increases my sense of the Real Presence. Occasionally I receive on the tongue when that seems appropriate, and have really appreciated that also.Therefore it would seem best to leave it to the choice of each communicant.

Published by: Laurel
Florida USA 07/06/2008 12:32 PM EST

With respect to the Real Presence, how about adjusting our pronouns. Shouldn't we be careful to say, "Receive Him." not...."Receive It?" Our choice of words - drop by drop - have an effect on what we hold to be true.

Published by: Curt Miller
Eunice, La, USA 06/29/2008 04:01 PM EST

If one truly believes the Eucharist is the Body of Christ, it is his obligation to teach his children reverence for Him and to get involved in teaching others. Then it matters little whether one receives Christ in the hand or on the tongue. It does come down to a matter of obedience to the Holy Father, though.

Published by: Maria
Riverside, California 06/29/2008 03:28 PM EST

Thank you Pope Benedict XVI!!!!

Published by: jvh
MA 06/27/2008 09:31 PM EST

Very practically, mandatory receiveing coomunion on the tongue will prevent many people to participate in the communion at all. Good or bad, but people, Catholics as well, considere the open mouth, and spread out tongue a ridiculousposition to be. Instead of deepening the meaning and the mystery, result will be just the opposite.

Published by: malgorzata
USA 06/27/2008 09:40 AM EST

I've always loathed that it matters geographically where you're from as to which is/isn't accepted in many of the church's practices! I'd like to see more uniformity and hope Pope Benedict will join us all together again! The Eucharist is the True Presence and we've become very complacent about it! Older is often times better.

Published by: tecll
Pennsylvania 06/26/2008 08:18 PM EST

That is a step in the right direction, but why stop at just the Vatican? Catholics in the U.S. are in dire need of some reverence at Mass. Perhaps they could also encourage the practice of intinction, so that there would not have to be so many laity on the altar. Unfortunately, some of the non-Catholic christian churches have more reverent Masses than we do. Something is wrong with this picture. I hope the pope can help us bring more reverence to our liturgy.

Published by: Joseph
Indianapolis IN USA 06/26/2008 07:17 PM EST

DML, I understand your sadness and agree with your sentiment. The damage was done soon after Vatican II. The liberties unchecked bishops took exploded and led us to where we are now. I'm not sure what would happen if the Pope imposed the corrections unilaterally, without a groundswell of support from the bishops. As such it seems change will come incrementally.

Re-discovering our reverence for the Blessed Sacrament is the key to revitalizing our Church. What the Pope is doing is great. How about getting the Tabernacles out of broom closets and side alters, and back to the center of the church where it belongs!??!! Confusion: what are we geneflecting?

God Bless Pope B16!

Published by: Joseph
Louisville, KY USA 06/26/2008 02:06 PM EST

Actually, kneeling and communion on the tongue were Middle Age developments not at all in keeping with the original and devout way of receiving the eucharist, i.e., in the hand. It was during this time that the church saw the so-called "objectification" of the eucharist (versus the traditional understanding of seeing Jesus at eucharist within the assembly of the faithful) and the increasing clericalization of the church.

Published by: dml
san clemente california 06/25/2008 05:43 PM EST

I do not understand the Vatican's soft handling of this issue. They created an exception (not sure why it was needed). How difficult can it be to revoke the exception? How many more generations of Catholics will have to grow up wondering why we claim the Eucharist is the Real Presence, yet treat it so casually.

We older generations were blessed to have liturgical practices that reinforced our understanding of God. When will we provide that same benefit to those who follow us?

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