©2022 Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Since February 12, 1970, in Canada, and June 17, 1977, in the United States, North Americans have had the option of receiving the Holy Eucharist on the tongue or on the hand. This was allowed by a Vatican indult granted at the request of various conferences of bishops. Before approving Communion in the hand, the Holy Father Pope Paul VI sent an inquiry to all the world’s bishops:
“When therefore a small number of episcopal conferences and some individual bishops asked that the practice of placing the Consecrated Hosts in the people’s hands be permitted in their territories, the Holy Father decided that all the bishops of the Latin Church should be asked if they thought it opportune to introduce this rite. 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.
“Three questions were asked of the bishops, and the replies received by 12 March 1969 were as follows:
“1. Do you think that attention should be paid to the desire that, over and above the traditional manner, the rite of receiving Holy Communion on the hand should be admitted?
“Yes: 597
“No: 1,233
“Yes, but with reservations: 315
“Invalid votes: 20
‘2. Is it your wish that this new rite be first tried in small communities, with the consent of the bishop?
“Yes: 751
“No: 1,215
“Invalid votes, 70
‘3. Do you think that the faithful will receive this new rite gladly, after a proper catechetical preparation?
“Yes: 835
“No: 1,185
“Invalid votes: 128
“From the returns, it is clear that the vast majority of bishops believe that the present discipline should not be changed, and that if it were, the change would be offensive to the sentiments and the spiritual culture of these bishops and of many of the faithful.
“Therefore, taking into account the remarks and the advice of those whom ‘the Holy Spirit has placed to rule over’ the Churches, in view of the gravity of the matter and the force of the arguments put forward, the Holy Father has decided not to change the existing way of administering Holy Communion to the faithful.
“The Apostolic See therefore emphatically urges bishops, priests and laity to obey carefully the law which is still valid and which has again been confirmed. It urges them to take account of the judgment given by the majority of Catholic bishops, of the rite now in use in the liturgy, of the common good of the Church.” (Memoriale Domini, Instruction on the Manner of Distributing Holy Communion. Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, Issued May 29, 1969.)