For Catholics - why does receiving the Eucharist in the hand bother some people?

Question

Why are some Catholics so bothered by others receiving the Eucharist in their hand?

In understand that a priest's hands are consecrated at ordination, but since it is Jesus Christ, who we are receiving that makes us holy, can't I hold my Savior in my hands?

Is my tongue holier than my hands and fingers?

Answer 1

There are a few possible reasons:
+ Because they have done it one way for their entire lives and change is difficult
+ Because they do not feel worthy to touch the Eucharist with their hands
+ Because they have not been properly taught (catechized) why it is okay and even better to receive in their hand

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I'll give you my take on it, as a traditionalist: The Priest, after the Consecration, holds the two fingers on each hand, the fingers that he touched the sacred species with, together...so that any small particle (yes...they occur at every Mass) of the Host does not fall to the ground. After the Eucharist, the Priest dutifully has those same fingers washed in the ablutions...and that remaining matter is consumed (or, placed in the tabernacle)

Since we believe that Jesus is Really Present, body, soul and divinity, in the smallest particle of the Host....should not those who receive take the came caution and reverence as the Celebrant. If they are going to handle the Host, should their hands/fingers not also be suitably cleansed?

There is also the use of the "People's Paten" - held under the chins of communicants. We still use that as well.

Answer 3

We switched in the Lutheran Church also, but I would prefer returning to the practice as described by Father K.

This is a true story...
The switch in the parish where I grew up occurred after the Chancel was carpeted (late 60's I think). The Pastor would pick up one son-of-a-gun of a static charge. The first person at the rail would get a heck of a shock.

There are still some who are uncomfortable with this. They don't extend their hand, but put their tongue forward in the traditional manor. The Pastor dutifully puts the Host on the Communicants tongue, no questions asked.

Mark

Answer 4

2 issues spring to techniques... a million) How previous are you? that's often pre-Vatican II people who experience that way. in basic terms curious. in case you're below, say, 60, are you nostalgic for an era you probably did not be attentive to? 2) This component you stated "generally I in basic terms take a seat there fuming. i'm particularly generally so offended, i don't issue to acquire the Host. Why issue? could besides purchase a container of Oreos and consume that. what's the area of calling this the physique and Blood of Christ, whether that's barely a travesty?" in basic terms ability you don't comprehend. it quite is not the gender of the altar servers, or all the different stuff that makes the Mass the Mass, it quite is God's grace with the aid of his people and with the aid of his priest. by using fact the servers have not got penises, the priest won't be able to furnish a real Mass? by using fact the communicants nonetheless have breakfast on their breath, the bread and wine did not rework into the physique and Blood? you're residing on the incorrect component.

Answer 5

I don't know why anyone would have a problem with it...but I do know that it wasn't allowed before now because there were concerns that it may accidently be dropped.

Either way, we catholics can receive the host on the tongue or hand, just treat it appropriately.

Answer 6

I have never heard of any catholic being bothered by it.

I learned to receive the Eucharist in my hand from my father.

Answer 7

as I understand it, there might be particles of the Eucharist that might be left in your hands after eating the Eucharist, and since it's the Body of Christ, to be sure that nothing is wasted, it should go directly to your tongue.

you're a Catholic, you should have been able to piece things together.

Answer 8

No, I don't think it matters if one receives it on their tongue or in their hands. I receive it either way.

Answer 9

tradition.

For example, American Catholics hold hands to pray, Eurpoeans do not. Latin Americans make the sign of the cross, but kiss it afterwrds.

Regional differences.

Answer 10

It's just their tradition. I was taught to take it in my hand, and that I could say "Yes," "thank you," "alleluia," or other things besides "Amen" when the priest said "The body of Christ."

Now my grandmother was taught that only "le prete" was holy enough to touch the host with his hands and she never accepted that it was ok to say anything but "amen" when receiving it.

Just different traditions.