Are we not supposed to receive the host on our hands?

[Vico]

Yes, I have heard this as well. My catechism says to swallow the Host as soon as possible after receiving and I remember reading somewhere (I can’t remember where, possibly in the same catechism) that if we allow the Host to dissolve completely before swallowing, we have not actually received Holy Communion. So I suppose we can allow It to dissolve some before swallowing or chew.
My parish uses wafers that are quite thin, as do all the churches in my area. I have never received a thick Host except once at a Cathedral Mass.

Because the Presence is tied to the appearance.

Baltimore Catechism No. 4, Q 250. answer has:

“However, the particle that is given to the people is about the size of a twenty-five cent piece, so that they can swallow it before it melts. In receiving Holy Communion you must never let it entirely dissolve in your mouth, for if you do not swallow it you will not receive Holy Communion at all.”

archive.org/stream/baltimorecatechi14554gut/14554.txt

 

[ProVobis]

So your friend would say that deacons are committing sacrilege when they distribute Communion?

Who said that? Fifty years ago, you could scarcely find a deacon, much less receive from him.

 

[ProVobis]

True, but the guy may have a point. 50 years ago, even the sight of a transitional deacon distributing communion may have brought upon some questions as it was not widely taught that they were ordinary ministers of communion. Maybe they didn’t want to confuse between consecrating and distributing, I don’t know. We know better today. (or do we? )

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Because the Presence is tied to the appearance.

Baltimore Catechism No. 4, Q 250. answer has:

“However, the particle that is given to the people is about the size of a twenty-five cent piece, so that they can swallow it before it melts. In receiving Holy Communion you must never let it entirely dissolve in your mouth, for if you do not swallow it you will not receive Holy Communion at all.”

archive.org/stream/baltimorecatechi14554gut/14554.txt

Thank you for finding the quote. I knew I read it in a catechism somewhere but I couldn’t remember where.

 

[eamonnroma]

According to the early teachings of St. Cyril, who lived in the 4th Century and is a Doctor of the Church, Communion in the Ancient Church was indeed received in the hands.

“Approaching, do not come with thy palms stretched flat nor with fingers separated. But making thy left hand a seat for thy right, and hollowing thy palm, receive the Body of Christ, responding Amen. And having with care hallowed thine eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, take it, vigilant lest thou drop any of it. For shouldst thou lose any of it, it is as though thou wast deprived of a member of thy own body.” “Then after Communion of the Body of Christ, approach the Chalice of His Blood, not extending thy hands, but bending low, and with adoration and reverence saying Amen, sanctify thyself by receiving also the Blood of Christ. And while thy lips are yet wet, touch them with thy hands, and sanctify thy eyes and thy forehead and thy other senses” (Cat. Myst., v, 22, 21-22). oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Cyril_of_Jerusalem%2C_Saint

Where the quote that I copied and pasted says “seat,” I had always heard “throne.” There is nothing inherently more sacred about the tongue than the hand.
The wafer form of the host with which most of us are familiar is a later development in Christianity, as well, as the number of Christians increased.
A pious act of a young priest that I knew was to bake the bread that was to used at the Masses he celebrated.

Whether a person receives Communion on the hand or tongue, what is most important is that he receive with reverence and awe.

I would say that it is the preferred way to receive communion.