Response From the Congregation for Divine Worship Regarding Sacred Particles on the Floor

Those who love the Holy Eucharist and long for Vatican assistance in stopping the novel & typically disrespectful practice of dispensing Holy Communion in the hand - and the resulting sacrilegious treatment of Sacred Particles which frequently fall to the floor and are subsequently trampled on by laity - may be disappointed in a letter recently received by a Catholic lay person in response to their request for Vatican assistance. You can read the original letter as well as the response from the CDW here.

[7/16]

"So banal, so less reverent, like distributing cakes"

The General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of Kazakhstan, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, has questioned the novel practice of Communion in the hand among the laity, stating that when his family came and saw this practice in the West, "we felt so much sorrow in our soul", noting that "it has turned so banal, so less reverent, like distributing cakes." He also noted that "This is the Lord; when the risen Lord appeared to the three women and they saw Him, they knelt down...they fell on their knees on His feet and adored Him. And even the Apostles did the same when the Lord went to heaven. Why should we not do the same?"

Related: Communion in the Hand: Why Not? | Kneeling (Reflections)

[6/22]

Wrongful Suppression of TLM Masses in Calgary Has Ended

According to the FSSP website, TLM Masses in Calgary, Alberta have been restored (see announcement here). Although the FSSP announcement states that "restrictions have been lifted" and "normal Mass times have been resumed", it does not indicate what caused the reversal. [Previous story here]

[12/8]

Reports of TLM Masses Being Suspended

A number of blogs are reporting that FSSP Masses are being temporarily suspended in Calgary, Alberta by the area's bishop who attempted to (illegally!) deny parishioners the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue as a 'precautionary measure' due to the swine flu. The FSSP priest reportedly refused to comply with the bishop's illegitimate request and the bishop is said to have suspended Masses until the "temporary sanctions" have been lifted. Just a few days ago, a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments was made public that acknowledges the right of the faithful to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, noting that Redemptionis Sacramentum "clearly stipulates that 'each of the faithful ALWAYS has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue'" (emphasis added)

[Related Resource: Communion in the Hand: Why Not?]

[11/30]