Changing how I receive communion

[KimberlyAnn0218]

To make a long story short–I have had a major conversion over the last year and a half That being said I have found myself to be a modern woman (I am 39) who happens to find joy and peace as a “traditional” Catholic. I am not looking for anyone to lower the bar to make me more comfortable.

The subject of COT vs in hand comes up a lot. Currently my family and I take our Lord in hand. The more I hear about how that is a special practice and not the norm outside the US the more I am drawn to learning about the practice. I am to the point where I would like to switch and take COT, but how do you do that??? Do I forewarn my priest? What do you mechanically do differently? I know that seems stupid but I am one of those people who reasearches things to death and then lets go Conversion is a process not a destination

Kim

 

[Jegudiel]

1.) Communion in hand is common in much of the world.

2.) Don’t make a big production out of receiving on your tongue.

3.) When you present yourself for communion tilt your head back a bit and stick out your tongue. Make sure you don’t position your hands in a way it might appear you want to receive in your hands. Done.

To make a long story short–I have had a major conversion over the last year and a half That being said I have found myself to be a modern woman (I am 39) who happens to find joy and peace as a “traditional” Catholic. I am not looking for anyone to lower the bar to make me more comfortable.

The subject of COT vs in hand comes up a lot. Currently my family and I take our Lord in hand. The more I hear about how that is a special practice and not the norm outside the US the more I am drawn to learning about the practice. I am to the point where I would like to switch and take COT, but how do you do that??? Do I forewarn my priest? What do you mechanically do differently? I know that seems stupid but I am one of those people who reasearches things to death and then lets go Conversion is a process not a destination

Kim

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

From my own experience, assuming you’re receiving from a priest (they seem to be more adept to these things than EMHC’s in my experience), when you go up to receive, place your hands together in the prayer position, once you reach the priest, and he says, “The body of Christ” you respond, “Amen” then tilt your head back somewhat, and stick your tongue out. I personally find it easiest to roll my bottom lip over my teeth (anyone who plays a reed instrument will understand I what I mean), relax my tongue in such a way that it remains steady. Some people close their eyes, but I have exceptionally bad balance, and to do so will cause me to fall over. It’s not so bad when not receiving at the altar rail, but it makes for some awkward moments in the EF, as I have to fix my eyes on something in front of me as I tilt my head back, otherwise I will fall backwards.

Unless you run into problems, you shouldn’t need to inform anyone beforehand. I can’t stress enough to not let yourself feel rushed as you receive. It’s not the cattle line going off to feed at the troughs.

 

[Allegra]

Just walk up to the priest and open your mouth. It’s pretty simple.

 

[SaintPatrick333]

While it is not inappropriate to receive communion in the hand, it isn’t “tradition”. We’re all “supposed” to receive on the tongue. After all, who are we, as sinners, to receive Christ in our dirty hands that sin against ourselves and others? That last bit is just a personal view, not official teaching by any means. I’m not advocating that it’s wrong to receive with your hands, just that it’s not what we’re supposed to do. And all I do is open my mouth, I never heard about sticking your tongue out?

 

[triumphguy]

Don’t dip, or bend your knees or bob around trying to make it easier for the priest. He can lift his hand to your mouth.

You might want to get half a step closer than when you receive in the hand.

You’re not sticking your tongue out, just extending it a bit beyond your lips.

And like others say: head tilted back a bit.

 

[JRKH]

Just one caveat…the “Tilt your head back a bit” can be effected by the relative height of the two people involved. I am 6 feet tall and have received from people much shorter than myself so obviously tilting the head back in that situation would be inappropriate.

Just use common sense…

Peace
James

 

[triumphguy]

good point:

Actually raise your chin would be more accurate.

 

[jmcrae]

To make a long story short–I have had a major conversion over the last year and a half That being said I have found myself to be a modern woman (I am 39) who happens to find joy and peace as a “traditional” Catholic. I am not looking for anyone to lower the bar to make me more comfortable.

The subject of COT vs in hand comes up a lot. Currently my family and I take our Lord in hand. The more I hear about how that is a special practice and not the norm outside the US the more I am drawn to learning about the practice. I am to the point where I would like to switch and take COT, but how do you do that??? Do I forewarn my priest? What do you mechanically do differently? I know that seems stupid but I am one of those people who reasearches things to death and then lets go Conversion is a process not a destination

Kim

Just do it.

 

[asia53]

Recently, I changed from COTH to COTT. Our pastor wrote a really eloquent letter to the parish, and asked us to consider returning to tradition.

This what I do:

1. 
   *]Hands together, as if praying
   *]Do step closer than receiving in hand
   *]I make eye contact, “Body of Christ”, say Amen (Signals Father or the EMOC you’re receiving on the tongue)
   *]Open mouth, push tongue against the front of your bottom teeth
   *]Hold still, I repeat, hold still
   *]Don’t rush the process, slow, and easy
   
   I’ve been doing this for about 6 months now. I’ve only had one almost mishap, which was my fault. I moved too soon.

 

[Aggies08]

Do you happen to have a small child, or attend with family which has one you can borrow? That will keep your hands busy

 

[Jegudiel]

While it is not inappropriate to receive communion in the hand, it isn’t “tradition”. We’re all “supposed” to receive on the tongue. After all, who are we, as sinners, to receive Christ in our dirty hands that sin against ourselves and others? That last bit is just a personal view, not official teaching by any means. I’m not advocating that it’s wrong to receive with your hands, just that it’s not what we’re supposed to do. And all I do is open my mouth, I never heard about sticking your tongue out?

False.

We are not “supposed” to receive on our tongues in those places where the choice is left to the communicant.

I sure hope you don’t think your tongue is any cleaner than your hands.

 

[onmyknees]

I fold my hands in prayer, at my waist in front of me. Then when I am up to the priest I do a profound bow from the waist while he is taking the Eucharist out of the chalice. Then I tilt my head and stick my tongue out slightly. Never had a problem. It just seems so much more reverent this way.

 

[TimothyH]

I fold my hands in prayer, at my waist in front of me. Then when I am up to the priest I do a profound bow from the waist while he is taking the Eucharist out of the chalice. Then I tilt my head and stick my tongue out slightly. Never had a problem. It just seems so much more reverent this way.

As an EMHC, I can tell you that dropping your hands to your waist is the perfect signal that you are -not- recieving in the hand. Thank you.

When people approach with their hands at their chest, either clasped or in the prayer position, we have no idea if the person is going to flip their hand out to recieve in the hand or open their mouth and stick out their tounge. We will hold the Eucharist above the ciborium and wait until you make the move.

If you approach with your hands at your waist or lower, we know exactly what you intend to do.

-Tim-

 

[JRKH]

I sure hope you don’t think your tongue is any cleaner than your hands.

Something that has always struck me in this regard is the fact that the priest washes his hands before consecration and receiving/distributing Our Lord. We do not…and neither do the EMHC’s…hhmmm.

The Apostles all washed before receiving - that was a part of the meal.
I wonder if the Early Christians, gathering for the Lord’s supper, likewise washed before eating…
An interesting point thought me-thinks.



Peace
James

 

[englishredrose]

otherwise, nothing special about changing your way. You don’t have to tell anyone at all. My own way is via the mouth but if we have visiting priests. If you are chatting to your preist at some point in the week you might drop it into your conversation or something but he will just go by how you are poised on sunday to how you receive.

 

[triumphguy]

Something that has always struck me in this regard is the fact that the priest washes his hands before consecration and receiving/distributing Our Lord. We do not…and neither do the EMHC’s…hhmmm.

The Apostles all washed before receiving - that was a part of the meal.
I wonder if the Early Christians, gathering for the Lord’s supper, likewise washed before eating…
An interesting point thought me-thinks.



Peace
James

But isn’t the priest in a way mirroring the actions of Pilot, but in a better and more complete way:

“Lord wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins” is what he prays when he washes.

He’s not sanitizing his hands he is asking God to make him worthy to offer the sacrifice of the mass.

 

[Another_Mary]

I keep my hands clasped but in prayer position, rather than leaving them hanging at the side. I haven’t had any miscommunication with a priest and rarely go to a EMHC.

Actually, I am EMHC with the chalice occasionlly and in that case I do take communion in the hand because the way our church is configured, the priest has to reach across the altar past the deacon to give the EMHC communion.

This is a whole 'nother topic: I don’t then pick up the host with the other hand, I place it on my tongue from the palm where the priest placed it. I received First Communion in the age of kneeling at the altar rail, when only the priest was to touch the Blessed Sacrament. But let’s not go there. It’s only a personal choice on my part

 

[JRKH]

But isn’t the priest in a way mirroring the actions of Pilot, but in a better and more complete way:

Possibly, but the entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia makes no mention of Pilot, but actually points to the need to wash hands after handling the offerings etc. In other words, removing possible dirt…(From the early days of course). What things have our hands been doing before we go up to receive our Lord.

“Lord wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins” is what he prays when he washes.

He’s not sanitizing his hands he is asking God to make him worthy to offer the sacrifice of the mass.

Do we not likewise need to be just as purified before receiving the Bread of Life into our hands??

I’m just curious here…

Peace
James

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

From my 1962MR regarding the Lavabo:

The Priest washes his fingers to symbolize the great purity and inner cleanliness of those who offer or participate in this great Sacrifice.

Having watched my priest both during the Washing of the Hands, and washing his hands after receiving blessed object from him, it’s blatantly obvious that Lavabo isn’t for washing and sanitizing hands. The priest uses very little water, whereas actually washing his hands, it’s quite obvious with the rigorous scrubbing, and large amount of water, and soap possibly to help remove lip goo…