Communion to be received in Hand & Not on Tongue! Catholic Churches Adopt Precautionary Steps against COVID-19
Mangaluru: During the 8.15 am English mass, Fr Kenneth Crasta, the Resident Priest at Milagres Church, Hampankatta, Mangaluru celebrating the mass made a few announcements regarding the guidelines issued by Archbishop of Bengaluru Rev Dr Peter Machado, who is also the President of Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRCBC); and Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha. On the outset my sincere compliments to Fr Crasta for a well-celebrated mass and for an informative Homily.
Right before the faithful receiving the communion Fr Crasta made an announcement that the faithful should receive the communion ONLY in HAND and NOT in MOUTH/TONGUE. But there was a little bit of confusion this morning at the 8.30 am English mass among the senior faithful who are used to receiving communion in mouth, were sticking out their tongue to receive the communion, while the priest and extra-ordinary ministers (who give communion), were trying to place the communion on their hand? Oh well- they will come to know the changes soon and it will be all okay!
Archbishop of Bengaluru Rev Dr Peter Machado
Bishop of Mangaluru Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha
It was announced that in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak across Karnataka, the Archbishop of Bengaluru Rev Fr Peter Machado on behalf of the Karnataka Bishops, has issued guidelines for various parishes and institutions. The Archbishop has appealed to the general public to take safety precautions to control the spread of the virus. In a message, Archbishop Peter Machado has cautioned people not to panic as ‘Fear virus is more dangerous and kills many more people than the actual epidemic virus,’ besides the outbreak calls for the bedrock of Karuna on our part. The Archbishop, in his set of directives, has urged churches to empty and clean the holy water fonts/stoups regularly. “Those who do not feel comfortable to bless themselves with this Holy water, it is best to leave it to their discretion,” he has stated.
Referring to the Holy Communion, the Archbishop directed, “Communion to the faithful during Mass could be given in the hand rather than on the tongue. The priests or Communion Ministers must wash and clean their hands before and after”. In anticipation of the Holy Week (Good Friday), the Archbishop has said, “If the viral infection or the fear of it does not subside by the Holy Week, the parish priests may advise the people not to kiss the Crucifix during the Rite of Veneration of the Cross. Instead, the faithful may make a profound bow to the Crucifix. Besides, it is not necessary for the people to kiss the Bishop’s ring while seeking blessings.”
The Catholic Church in other places has encouraged the faithful not to shake hands at the sign of peace, instead of bow their heads with Namaste sign. These temporary arrangements will be in force till Easter, which falls on April 12. The arrangements will be reviewed from time to time. While noting that the first response is to turn to God, the Archbishop has also requested the faithful to say prayers every day. He has also urged the faithful to remember the sick and those in observation and the doctors and paramedics treating the sick in their prayers. While asking the faithful to adhere to the instructions of health authorities, the Archbishop has suggested regulating travels and modifying the activities so as to control the spread of the disease.
Ending this report with Pope Francis’s prayer to Blessed Virgin Mary during Coronavirus pandemic
O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Note: Images for illustration Only
