As the bad news worldwide about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to filter into the United States, the grocery stores have been flooded with people buying masks, soaps, and toiletries, as the county preps for what some fear may be the physical catastrophe of their lifetimes.

And spiritually?  Catholic bishops across the U.S. have reminded people that the standing orders for ordinary time apply especially in times like the present: if you are sick, don’t go to Mass, etc.  But some places have gone further, taking steps to change the ordinary practices for receiving Holy Communion.

Where I live, in the Bay Area, the three local dioceses have taken radically different approaches.

In San Jose, in addition to suspending handshaking at the Sign of Peace and instituting a regime of hand hygiene for priests, deacons, and Eucharistic ministers, the diocesan website has added the following two precautions:

Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful on the hand only and not on the tongue. The cup is not to be used during this time.

All holy water fonts have been emptied. Any holy water required for liturgies will be disposed of appropriately afterward.

In San Francisco, the archdiocese suspended Communion from the chalice as of March 9; prior to that, the archdiocese, noting that various public authorities had labeled the virus outbreak “an ‘Advisory” (providing information but not calling for action) but not yet an ‘Alert’ (warranting immediate attention),” various hygiene measures were advised.

In Oakland, the directive has been that “Pastors may choose not to distribute the Precious Blood,” and “should help the faithful understand that the Sign of Peace doesn’t require shaking hands or touching in any way—a nod, bow, or smile suffices.”  And a reminder has been issued that “Pastors may encourage the faithful to receive Holy Communion in the hand, but they may NOT forbid reception of Communion on the tongue” (emphasis in the original).  I quote the rest of the reminder:

It is the law of the Church that the faithful may choose how they wish to receive Communion, not the priest or extraordinary minister.  The option to receive Holy Communion on the tongue is still permitted.  [Cf: Redemptionis Sacramentum 92. “Each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue at his choice.”]

Physicians have advised that there is no difference in the risk of virus transmission whether Holy Communion is received on the hand or the tongue. In either case, the priest or extraordinary minister should not touch the communicant's hand or tongue.

This is a good opportunity to catechize the faithful on the proper way to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.  It is also opportune to educate your extraordinary ministers on how to properly distribute Communion on the tongue.

One idea: The priest can recommend that people who want to receive Communion on the tongue, go in the priest's line and receive from him, since he will most likely have more experience doing so.

The medical point is, I think, an important point.

On the other hand, our local Oakland pastor, besides omitting Communion from the chalice, took the following stance and requesting that parishioners refrain from shaking hands, has posted the following:

Distribution of the Host (Holy Communion) will only be offered in the hand and not directly to the mouth of the communicant.  This is to protect against direct cross-contamination from one person to another.  This is mandated until further notice.  If you are physically unable to hold the host, exceptions can be made.

Reader, the holy water fonts are still full. That soft sound you hear is me tearing my hair out at the death of common sense.

On social media, a number of my Catholic friends have been debating how the handle this sort of situation.  On the one hand, many take the Oakland bishop’s stance: “Each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue at his choice.”  On the other, a few have commended obedience as a virtue in its own right (always providing that care is taken to protect the fragments of the Sacred Host). But is that really obedience, or is it cowardice? Then there is the question of charity toward overly concerned priests and fellow parishioners—would receiving in the hand ease their minds?  Is that important, or is it more charitable for them to understand the importance of reverence to the Eucharist which is receiving on the tongue suggests, even in the face of such a situation?

Thankfully, I don’t have to make these decisions for anyone else. Thankfully, Jesus is still with us, whatever happens with strange viruses or irrational individuals.

But even though I don’t have to make decisions about what other people do in their own parishes … and even though I can’t make the rules for my parish, let alone my diocese … I can’t resist pointing out a rather obvious fact.

Unless you are physically limited in a way that makes kneeling difficult, the most stable way to receive the Holy Eucharist—the way least likely to lead to desecration or contagion—is kneeling at a Communion rail.  That holds true whether you receive in the hand or on the tongue.

Furthermore, I would point out that while receiving Communion requires physical proximity, going to Confession doesn’t.  You can stand close to other people while in line, but you certainly don’t have to, especially when the lines are as short as they usually seem to be.  And Father does not have to come close to touching you when he gives you absolution.  And if we are about to enter a pandemic … Confession seems like a great idea.  Oh, and it’s Lent.  As Fr. Z likes to say, “Go to Confession!”