May a Catholic receive Holy Communion in the hand, or on the tongue? Dr. Brant Pitre walks through the biblical roots, the witness of the Fathers, and the Church's current norms — fairly and without polemics.
Communion in the Hand or on the Tongue: What the Church Actually Teaches
The current norm is direct: the General Instruction of the Roman Missal states the consecrated host "may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant." Dr. Pitre situates that norm inside a long history. On the biblical side he examines the Last Supper, where Jesus "took bread… and gave it to them" (Mark 14:22-24), and the moment Jesus dips the morsel and hands it to Judas (John 13:26). He then follows the practice across the early Church — Pope St. Sixtus, St. Cyprian of Carthage, St. Athanasius, St. Cyril of Jerusalem's famous "throne" of the hands, and St. Basil — alongside the emergence of Communion on the tongue with St. Gregory the Great, the Synod of Rouen, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the rise of Communion rails and kneeling. The session lays out what saints practiced, what councils ruled, and what Rome permits today.
Key passages & sources examined: Mark 14:18, 22-24; John 13:21-30; GIRM nos. 41, 160; St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogical Catecheses 5.21-22; St. Cyprian, Letters 55.9; St. Athanasius, Festal Letters 5; St. Basil, Letter 93; St. Gregory the Great, Dialogues 3.3; Synod of Rouen (878); St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae III, q. 82; Memoriale Domini (1969); Redemptionis Sacramentum nos. 90-92.
Is communion in the hand allowed by the Catholic Church? Yes — where the bishops' conference has been granted permission by the Apostolic See, the faithful may receive in the hand; the faithful also always retain the right to receive on the tongue. Dr. Pitre reviews the exact documents.
Is communion in the hand ancient or a modern invention? The video examines witnesses from the 2nd through 5th centuries (Sixtus, Cyprian, Athanasius, Cyril, Basil, Augustine) as well as the later shift toward reception on the tongue — presenting the history rather than a verdict.
What reverence does the Church ask when receiving Communion? St. Cyril's image of making a "throne" of one's hands, bowing before the Sacrament, and St. Augustine's teaching that no one eats without first adoring — all covered in the session.
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Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
