Introduction
Posted on Feb 27, 2008 by admin
In 1969 Pope Paul VI, with serious misgivings, published Memoriale Domini and opened the fateful door to communion-in-the-hand. The document spelled out the threat to Holy Communion with very specific warnings:
“A change in a matter of such moment, based on a most ancient and venerable tradition, does not merely affect discipline. It carries certain dangers with it which may arise from the new manner of administering Holy Communion: the danger of a loss of reverence for the august sacrament of the altar, of profanation, of adulterating the true doctrine.”
All of the pope’s misgivings have come true. The Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Savior is frequently being treated with disdain and irreverence; communion-in-the-hand opened the door to trivialization, sacrilege, abuse and indifference. The vast majority of Roman Catholics no longer kneel to receive Him, and a significant percentage of Catholics no longer recognize the Holy Eucharist as the Real Presence. One result of this thoughtless and careless handling of God Himself is now obvious – Catholic churches are emptying out all across the globe and closing their doors permanently. Without deep and lasting reverence for the Real Presence, it turns out, we have very little to stand upon.
Sadly, it was all for nothing. Very, very few people – including bishops – wanted communion-in-the-hand. It was forced on Roman Catholicism by a tiny minority of tragically misguided bishops and priests.
Communion-in-the-hand is allowed by an “indult”, or in other words by an “option,” country by country. It can be disallowed at any time, and some day it certainly will. There is little doubt that Rome will ultimately abandon this serious non-doctrinal practice.
In the meantime, none of us need to wait for Rome… we can reject this irreverent practice today. It is entirely your option and mine. As Memoriale Domini dictates, Rome firmly respects your right to receive on the tongue – no priest anywhere in the world has the right to refuse communion on the tongue.This website is dedicated to Our Savior and His Blessed Mother with the fervent prayer that you – like countless others just like you worldwide – will open your heart to Our Savior and agree to never again accept, promote, excuse or distribute communion-in-the-hand.