Last week I introduced the Archbishop Blair’s directives on Church practices during this unknown time of the Coronavirus the Archbishop, out of an abundance of precaution, informed all pastors to ask parishioners to receive Holy Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue. This request is purely a precautionary measure and not just for the one distributing Holy Communion but also in charity for other parishioners—the ones behind us in line as a potential way to limit the possible spread of the virus, IF it were present in the community.
However, I do want to clarify one point: if a parishioner is unable to receive Holy Communion in the hand, e.g., if they are holding on to a walker or have limited use of the arms, then certainly reception on the tongue is permitted.
Please be assured that the one distributing Holy Communion always takes care not to make bodily contact between hand and mouth with the parishioner.
Thank you and as more information and new procedures become available from the Centers for Disease Control. The Connecticut Department of Public Health or the Archdiocese of Hartford, that information and notification will be made to our parishioners. Peace be with you!