FR PLACID Croney's advice, June 6, to continue to receive Holy Communion on the tongue and kneeling put me in mind of the words of St Thomas Aquinas: "The dispensing of Christ's Body belongs to the priest for three reasons.
First, because he consecrates in the person of Christ. But as Christ consecrated His Body at the Supper, so also He gave it to others to be partaken of by them. Accordingly, as the consecration of Christ's Body belongs to the priest, so likewise does the dispensing belong to him Secondly, because the priest is appointed intermediary between God and the people, hence as it belongs to him to offer the people's gifts to God, so it belongs to him to deliver the consecrated gifts to the people. Thirdly, because out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it but what is consecrated, and likewise the priest's hands for touching this Sacrament. Hence, it is not lawful for anyone else to touch it, except from necessity, for instance if it were to fall upon the ground, or else in some other case of urgency".
I hope that the mother and her family who asked Fr Croney's advice will be able to read and take comfort from the words of this great saint. They are, after all, in good company!
Basildon, Essex Mrs K Foster