The Argentine archdiocese of San Juan de Cuyo has sent a protocol to parish priests, parish vicars, Catholic school administrators, and catechists in which, in view of First Communions and Confirmations, it decrees that “catechumens (of any age) will receive Holy Communion only standing and in the hand.”
The decree of the archdiocese of San Juan de Cuyo, reproduced below, is contrary to the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, which enshrines in Article 92 the right of the faithful to choose to receive Communion on the tongue:
"Although every member of the faithful always has the right to choose whether to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, if the person receiving Communion wishes to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in places where the Conference of Bishops has permitted this, with the confirmation of the Apostolic See, the sacred host should be administered. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the communicant consumes the host immediately, in front of the minister, and that no one leaves with the Eucharistic species in their hand. If there is a danger of profanation, Communion should not be distributed to the faithful in their hands."
***
Communiqué from the Archdiocese of San Juan de Cuyo
Protocol No. 127/2025
To Parish Priests, Parish Vicars,
Catholic School Administrators,
Catechists:
The dates on which First Communions and Confirmations are celebrated are fast approaching.
For this reason, we would like to remind you of some criteria and provisions to keep in mind.
According to the rules established on March 25, 2022, which remain in force:
Ministers assisting at the altar (of all ages and conditions) will always receive Communion standing and in the hand.
In celebrations of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation, catechumens (of any age) will receive Holy Communion only standing and in the hand.
We ask you to encourage and give thanks for the collection at Confirmation celebrations by saying, for example: “The collection taken during this Mass is for the formation of future priests in our seminary. Let us be generous with our financial offering. Thank you very much.”
In turn, 10 days before the celebration, send the proposed biblical readings for the celebration through the Secretariat and, if applicable, coordinate with the person presiding over the celebration. We suggest some possible outlines:
Gal 5:16–17, 22–25; Psalm of your choice – Mk 1:9–11.
Acts 19:16–6; Psalm of your choice; Jn 15:1–6.
Rom 5:1–2, 5–8; Psalm of your choice; Mt 5:13–16.
1 Cor. 12:4–13; psalm of your choice, Lk. 4:16–22.
Gal 5:16–17, 22–25; psalm of your choice – Mk. 1:9–11.
I Cor. 12:4–13; psalm of your choice, Lk. 4:16–22.
The Bishops of San Juan
August 27, 2025
Holy Year of Hope
[Source, in Spanish]
