I’m curious to know what your take on this is? Because, if I remember correctly, there is a decent amount of evidence that Communion was received in the hands at various times during the early history of the Church.
John,
Communion in the hand shows up fairly often in the patristic record. Instances in Origen and Cyril of Jerusalem come immediately to mind. At some point, though, the practice declined and then vanished, and there must have been good reasons for that, though we don’t know what they are. I’m not the kind of guy who says that Primitive Is Always Better. In liturgical matters, I tend to trust the magisterium, and in my household I don’t permit what the Church forbids or forbid what the Church permits. I grew up with Communion on the tongue and never felt inclined to switch, so I never have.
Hello Mike,
I hope all is well with you.
I’m curious to know what your take on this is? Because, if I remember correctly, there is a decent amount of evidence that Communion was received in the hands at various times during the early history of the Church.
Pax,
John
John,
Communion in the hand shows up fairly often in the patristic record. Instances in Origen and Cyril of Jerusalem come immediately to mind. At some point, though, the practice declined and then vanished, and there must have been good reasons for that, though we don’t know what they are. I’m not the kind of guy who says that Primitive Is Always Better. In liturgical matters, I tend to trust the magisterium, and in my household I don’t permit what the Church forbids or forbid what the Church permits. I grew up with Communion on the tongue and never felt inclined to switch, so I never have.