Best way to receive communion on the tongue?

[Archangelum]

Ever since I saw a Hostie fall on the floor of the church during Novus Ordo hand communion I’m scared to death of it happening to me. Naturally this raises problems in the Latin Mass as hand communion is totally out of the question there. So therefore my question: what way would be most suitable to receive communion on the tongue? It seems to me the danger of the Hostie falling would be ever greater in this fashion. Luckily one of the acolytes holds a plate ready at all times.

 

[JDSinSA]

I’ve been going to the Latin Mass for about 8 months now, I’ve never seen a host fall from someone’s tongue. Just hold out your tongue and Christ is placed on your tongue. That simple really. And as you mention, there is always an acolyte with a patten, so no worries.

 

[I_Believe]

Best way to receive communion on the tongue ?

Kneeling, in a state of Grace.

Don’t worry, once the Host touches your tongue it will stay there.

J+M+J

 

[Archangelum]

I’ve been going to the Latin Mass for about 8 months now, I’ve never seen a host fall from someone’s tongue. Just hold out your tongue and Christ is placed on your tongue. That simple really. And as you mention, there is always an acolyte with a patten, so no worries.

Alright, but how far does one stick one’s tongue out? Or is it merely an opening of the mouth? I don’t want to look like some imbecile when receiving H. Communion. I always remain kneeled on my chair so it’s hard to see for me how exactly communion is received.

 

[Genesis315]

I’ve seen it fall a few times–it almost happened to me once–but every time it was caught on the paten, the priest picked it up, and was successful the second time.

 

[Archangelum]

I’ve seen it fall a few times–it almost happened to me once–but every time it was caught on the paten, the priest picked it up, and was successful the second time.

The horror! :nope:

In my case the sister even dropped two and put them back in the chalice like nothing happend. It was nerve-wrecking just to watch. When I received Communion I kept wondering if I got one of the Hosties that fell on the floor?

 

[brotherhrolf]

I am 57 years old and have never received in the hand. You open your mouth wide and you stick your tongue out as far as it will go and you let Father take care of the rest. I have seen the Host fall with reception in the hand but never on the tongue. Perhaps it is because the altar boys had patens and the Communion rail was covered with cloth as a second line of defense? The reality, I believe, is that when you stick your tongue out, the Holy Eucharist isn’t going anywhere.

Although I would love to receive kneeling, all of us old fogies who grew up before Vatican II don’t bat an eye with sticking our tongues out while standing up.

 

[Genesis315]

I don’t think it’s horrible–the paten is held by the server for that very purpose–it prevents the Host from falling on the floor. It’s not really any different than the Host being in the ciborium.

 

[Archangelum]

I am 57 years old and have never received in the hand. You open your mouth wide and you stick your tongue out as far as it will go and you let Father take care of the rest. I have seen the Host fall with reception in the hand but never on the tongue. Perhaps it is because the altar boys had patens and the Communion rail was covered with cloth as a second line of defense? The reality, I believe, is that when you stick your tongue out, the Holy Eucharist isn’t going anywhere.

Although I would love to receive kneeling, all of us old fogies who grew up before Vatican II don’t bat an eye with sticking our tongues out while standing up.

Thanks for the reply! I assume hands are kept crossed under the Communion rail cloth? And eyes closed?

 

[brotherhrolf]

The horror! :nope:

In my case the sister even dropped two and put them back in the chalice like nothing happend. It was nerve-wrecking just to watch. When I received Communion I kept wondering if I got one of the Hosties that fell on the floor?

Archangelum, please don’t take this amiss. I notice you are in Belgium but the Holy Eucharist is not a “hostie”. It is usually referred to in English as “the host” or “the Eucharist”. “Hostie” has some really negative connotations (e.g. Twinkie) which I am sure you do not want to imply. Your English is very good but this is one of those colloquial expressions that crosses the line.

God bless!

 

[Archangelum]

Archangelum, please don’t take this amiss. I notice you are in Belgium but the Holy Eucharist is not a “hostie”. It is usually referred to in English as “the host” or “the Eucharist”. “Hostie” has some really negative connotations (e.g. Twinkie) which I am sure you do not want to imply. Your English is very good but this is one of those colloquial expressions that crosses the line.

God bless!

Ah, I see. I wasn’t sure how to translatie it. The standard (even before Vaticanum II) term for the consacrated bread is “Hostie” in Dutch, from the Latin term hostia.

 

[brotherhrolf]

Thanks for the reply! I assume hands are kept crossed under the Communion rail cloth? And eyes closed?

Hands were always kept in the formal prayer position and kept under the Communion rail cloth. Eyes were kept closed too. My hands are folded in prayer and I keep my eyes closed.

Mine is a cathedral parish and I would say that it’s a 60/40 split between those who receive on the tongue and the rest of us.

 

[brotherhrolf]

Ah, I see. I wasn’t sure how to translatie it. The standard (even before Vaticanum II) term for the consacrated bread is “Hostie” in Dutch, from the Latin term hostia.

O salutaris hostia! I hope you were not offended. You have an excellent command of English but there are “slang” or “colloquial” expressions that could cause problems.

 

[Archangelum]

Hands were always kept in the formal prayer position and kept under the Communion rail cloth. Eyes were kept closed too. My hands are folded in prayer and I keep my eyes closed.

Mine is a cathedral parish and I would say that it’s a 60/40 split between those who receive on the tongue and the rest of us.

I used to visit the Cathedral in Brussels for Novus Ordo Eucharist but it was impossible to receive tongue Communion there. The Host was about 5 times normal size and had to be dipped in the wine by those going to Communion themselves. It was unavoidable to touch the Host then so Latin Mass was essentially scrapped at the Cathedral.

 

[malphono]

I used to visit the Cathedral in Brussels for Novus Ordo Eucharist but it was impossible to receive tongue Communion there. The Host was about 5 times normal size and had to be dipped in the wine by those going to Communion themselves. It was unavoidable to touch the Host then so Latin Mass was essentially scrapped at the Cathedral.

I haven’t been to St-Michel in Brussel/Bruxelles for many years now, but I recall it was lovely. So much history and tradition in those hallowed falls. It’s really a shame that the EF is no longer offered there.

 

[Archangelum]

I haven’t been to St-Michel in Brussel/Bruxelles for many years now, but I recall it was lovely. So much history and tradition in those hallowed falls. It’s really a shame that the EF is no longer offered there.

Ah, how nice to find somebody here who has also been there! I used to go there regulary but alas it’s nothing for me anymore. There are some daily attendents there who for example insist on shaking every single person’s hand in the chapel. Even when the priest goes on the Agnus Dei he is still running around the place shaking hands. Alas also the french-speaking priest does it so this “peace sign” has become a major disturbance and essentially a pause during the Eucharist. The Dutch-speaking priest is just far too “free” with the Eucharist, he’s no person of bad will but his way of doing Mass is just too “liberal”.

The church itself however is indeed a real work of art everywhere you look. It is one large living tribute to God and all those who died long before us, doing God’s work on earth. That’s why it is very lamentable that the Eucharist has gone so downhill there. Also the new altar, which is nothing more than a huge pile of rock, is very disturbing. Like we are back in pagan times. It just doesn’t fit into this ancient and medieval church.

 

[brotherhrolf]

I used to visit the Cathedral in Brussels for Novus Ordo Eucharist but it was impossible to receive tongue Communion there. The Host was about 5 times normal size and had to be dipped in the wine by those going to Communion themselves. It was unavoidable to touch the Host then so Latin Mass was essentially scrapped at the Cathedral.

I can’t answer you there. I have never experienced anything like it here. I grew up here before Vatican II. We did not stop recieving Communion on the tongue and kneeling until the mid-70s (when they took the Communion rails out.) I have never experienced what you are describing in terms of the host.

 

[Archangelum]

I can’t answer you there. I have never experienced anything like it here. I grew up here before Vatican II. We did not stop recieving Communion on the tongue and kneeling until the mid-70s (when they took the Communion rails out.) I have never experienced what you are describing in terms of the host.

It’s also something I only noticed in the cathedral. The bread is much thicker since it needs to absord the wine. Never saw it in any Mass on Youtube or elsewhere on the internet either.

 

[malphono]

Ah, how nice to find somebody here who has also been there! I used to go there regulary but alas it’s nothing for me anymore. There are some daily attendents there who for example insist on shaking every single person’s hand in the chapel. Even when the priest goes on the Agnus Dei he is still running around the place shaking hands. Alas also the french-speaking priest does it so this “peace sign” has become a major disturbance and essentially a pause during the Eucharist. The Dutch-speaking priest is just far too “free” with the Eucharist, he’s no person of bad will but his way of doing Mass is just too “liberal”.

The church itself however is indeed a real work of art everywhere you look. It is one large living tribute to God and all those who died long before us, doing God’s work on earth. That’s why it is very lamentable that the Eucharist has gone so downhill there. Also the new altar, which is nothing more than a huge pile of rock, is very disturbing. Like we are back in pagan times. It just doesn’t fit into this ancient and medieval church.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen far too many, for my taste, similar hand-shake fests and such things in many OF churches. I’m an Easterner, so I really have no reason to attend Roman Rite services at all, and when it comes to the OF, I do not. On the other hand, I do appreciate the Roman Rite EF, and do assist at same when I have the opportunity.

And yes, indeed, St-Michel is a work of art. I can hardly imagine this new altar you speak of: did they actually remove the High Altar or does this thing just sit in front of it, like in Notre-Dame de Paris? I hope it’s like that: if so, it would still be possible to use the High Altar, the way it was intended. It would be a great thing to experience Solemn Mass and Solemn Vespers in the EF from the High altar at St-Michel. As PP Benedict XVI says, the hermeneutic of continuity.

 

[brotherhrolf]

It’s also something I only noticed in the cathedral. The bread is much thicker since it needs to absord the wine. Never saw it in any Mass on Youtube or elsewhere on the internet either.

Not in my experience either and mine is a cathedral parish. Nor down in New Orleans at either the cathedral or St. Patrick’s where they have had the TLM constantly since the 70s.

What you have described is “intinction”. The only time I’ve ever seen that was when I went as a guest of one of my classmates to attend the Holy Saturday liturgy at the Greek Orthodox cathedral. This would have been in 1976 and I cried because I realized what we Latin Catholics had lost.