4Real Forums: Two sort of theological questions

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Two sort of theological questions

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MichelleW
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Posted: April 27 2006 at 10:01am \| IP Logged

Does anyone know the symbolism behind girls receiving their First Communion often wearing veils? Is there more than a logistical reason for the veils to be open as opposed to bride veils often being closed?

And second, does anyone know the reason why Communion used to be taken by mouth and now it is often taken by hand? I am not looking for a discussion about which is better and the repercusions of switching, etc. My kids are all receiving FHC this Sunday and my daughter is having a hard time remembering how to hold her hands and how to properly give herself the Eucharist. I was hoping it might help her to remember if I could explain the rationale behind taking it in the hand.

marihalojen
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Posted: April 27 2006 at 11:36am \| IP Logged

I don't quite know what you mean as to open and closed veils, but with the holding of the hands I was taught to never, never hold the hands side by side as there is great danger of the host falling when your hands part but rather to place them one on top of the other, usually left on top of right for right-handed people. And then moving slowly pick up the host delicately between the forefinger and thumb and transfer to your tongue and let it dissolve there. Don't move from in front of the priest before the host is safely in your mouth and your mouth is closed. And if the host falls don't snatch it up and run! Freeze as the priest has to reclaim (proper word, somebody?) and bless it and you. (Do they do that anymore??)

This all seemed rather complicated and scary to me in class so Dad taught us to receive by mouth (don't roll your tonque down but straight and flat out) and I was much more comfortable with that. Of course the comfort could have come from weeks of practice with potato chips!

Yum, not a common food back then.

Well, I just previewed this and I'm sure there will be much better answers but I'll post anyways...

I always wonder how much of what I remember is family tradition and how much is Church teachings, So take my answer with a grain of salt, perhaps salt on Lays??

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folklaur
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Posted: April 27 2006 at 12:09pm \| IP Logged

Communion:

"the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Paragraph 41 states:
"Holy Communion under the form of bread is offered to the communicant with the words 'The Body of Christ.' The communicant may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. When receiving in the hand, the communicant should be guided by the words of St. Cyril of Jerusalem: 'When you approach, take care not to do so with your hand stretched out and your fingers open or apart, but rather place your left hand as a throne beneath your right, as befits one who is about to receive the King. Then receive him, taking care that nothing is lost'"

As far as the veil -- I don't know, but I assume that it just has to do with the fact that ALL women use to wear veils. I am probably wrong though.

Christine
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Posted: April 27 2006 at 12:46pm \| IP Logged

My understanding is that there were quite a few people receiving Communion in the hand and so the Church allowed it as a dispensation.

I read somewhere that the early Church permitted Communion in the hand at one time, but switched to receiving Communion on the tongue only, due to the irreverence that was shown for Our Lord's Body when receiving by hand.

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Christine
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Christine
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Posted: April 28 2006 at 6:51am \| IP Logged

Congratulations to your children! I will be praying for all of you, but especially your children on Sunday.

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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose

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