Communion on the tongue - nervous!

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MrsMeganMc

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Over the last couple of weeks I have really wanted to receive communion on the tongue - but I am so nervous! I have received in my hand for so long that I am worried about messing it up.

I am also a bit self-conscious as my priest knows me very well - and I am worried what he will think if I approach without my hand out and if he will try to give me a blessing or something.

Also - do those of you who receive on the tongue only receive that way from the priest? I know some EMHC’s get a little nervous about those who receive on the tongue.

Any words of advice?

(Disclaimer: I do not want this to turn into a debate about which method of reception is “better” or about the use of EMHCs)
 
Don’t fret, my friend!!

Both are acceptable ways to receive communion. Priests and EMHC know to expect people to receive either way. I think the priest, if you approach with your hands clasped and, after saying Amen, you open your mouth to receive on the tongue, will know what to do:thumbsup: Even if he’s taken aback for a second because he knows you normally receive in the hand, he’ll figure it out.

I have received on the tongue, from both priests and EMHC, where most of the congregation receives in the hand. I think they are so used to giving in the hand that when I walk up, it takes a second to snap them out of hand mode when they see my palm isn’t up to receive. They quickly recover, though, and give me the Eucharist on my tongue.

God is pleased either way!😃

Peace in Christ,
Teri
*
“God has assigned as a duty to every man the dignity of every woman.” Pope John Paul II*
 
When I first started receiving on the tongue, I did it at a daily Mass. There are less people, which helped my nerves.

When you open your mouth really over exaggerate the motion. It will feel like you’re opening way too wide and sticking your tongue out way too far. That’s a good thing! There’s less chance of a mishap.

As far as using EMHC’s, I’ve had them touch my tongue a few times. I don’t like receiving on the tongue from them, but there’s very little choice. They out number the priest 8:1. At my parish, it’s impossible to know where the priest is going to end up. So, if I receive from an EMHC, I do things the same way. Most of them are fairly good at it. Hopefully, the occasional one that touches my tongue learns by those slip ups and corrects it in the future.
 
This is funny to me. I have never received in the hand so I would be nervous and scared that I would mess that up! I second the advice to stick your tongue out farther than you think you should. Maybe practice in a mirror. You want a big “landing pad” especially if you receive from someone who isn’t used to it. The Host will stick to your tongue. Just make sure you keep your mouth open wide until your tongue is all the way in so you don’t knock anything off.

Oh, and keep your hands in a “prayer position” in front of you so they know you want to receive on the tongue. You will be fine!
 
I used to receive in my hand and began to notice leftover specks of the host in my hand from time to time. I had to decide – lick the specks from my hand and risk what people thought, or begin receiving again on the tongue and risk what others thought after having seen me receive in the hand over so long a period.

Once you start receiving on your tongue you will stop feeling any “what will they think of me” after about a week or so. I wholeheartedly encourage you to start receiving on your tongue. Your guardian angel will be with you to help alleviate any self conciousness you may have.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice! I received on the tongue two days in a row now - I am still pretty nervous but feel like the worst of it is behind me. After a week I will probably be wondering why I got so nervous to begin with 😃

Thank
 
MrsMeganMc said:
Over the last couple of weeks I have really wanted to receive communion on the tongue - but I am so nervous! I have received in my hand for so long that I am worried about messing it up.

I am also a bit self-conscious as my priest knows me very well - and I am worried what he will think if I approach without my hand out and if he will try to give me a blessing or something.

Also - do those of you who receive on the tongue only receive that way from the priest? I know some EMHC’s get a little nervous about those who receive on the tongue.

Any words of advice?

(Disclaimer: I do not want this to turn into a debate about which method of reception is “better” or about the use of EMHCs)
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You could always notify your priest in advance that you want to receive on the tongue and ask him for some tips or pointers. 🙂
 
Whoa. I’m in the same boat. Father Z posted a pic of what was left behind of a wafer that had been placed on a dark glove, and it’s haunted me ever since.

I don’t know exactly how to do it right, though. Tongue out? How much?
 
I know, having been in this situation, how strange it seems. I will give simple advice. Breathe deeply. Nothing calms nervousness quite like slow rhythmic breathing. We all should be nervous at times. It is a good way to learn faith. Not to worry. Millions have gone before you and will go after you. It will get easier with time, or you can switch back to reception in the hand, at least while it is still allowed.
 
Practice “presenting” your tongue in the mirror (when no one is looking, of course). You’ll see how far you need to stick it out-- it’s also not a really natural motion, but after a few times, you’ll get it. I promise.

Then get in line like normal and fold your hands in a flat prayer position (like the little kids on the “Precious Moments” figurines). When Father is holding up the host and says “The Body of Christ”, and say Amen at pretty much the same time. Keep your hands folded and present your tongue.

The key is to keep your hands obviously closed and to respond Amen in a timely fashion. After your second time, you’ll never go back to communion in your hand again.
 
WhollyRoamin said:
Practice “presenting” your tongue in the mirror (when no one is looking, of course). You’ll see how far you need to stick it out-- it’s also not a really natural motion, but after a few times, you’ll get it. I promise.

Then get in line like normal and fold your hands in a flat prayer position (like the little kids on the “Precious Moments” figurines). When Father is holding up the host and says “The Body of Christ”, and say Amen at pretty much the same time. Keep your hands folded and present your tongue.

The key is to keep your hands obviously closed and to respond Amen in a timely fashion. After your second time, you’ll never go back to communion in your hand again.
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I had a mostly successful third time today (I didn’t to say ‘Amen’ - doh!) - and have zero intentions of turning back now 😃

Thanks for your advice - the opening of the mouth and how much or how far is getting easier. Now - I just need to be more focused in prayerful before and after receiving instead of focusing on my nervousness before and my excitement after - haha. :o

Although - I suppose being excited after receiving our Lord is appropriate 😛
 
Just remember to bow and say “Amen” before the EMHC/priest sticks the host on your tongue! 😃 😉 (The first few times I did it, I didn’t say “Amen” fast enough, and it turned into a muffled mmhnn-mnnnnn)
 
I will ALWAYS prefer to receive on the tongue, but out of respect for the Blessed Sacrament, I try to ensure i minimize the risk of contaminating the Eucharist above all else:
I only receive on the tongue from a Priest or Deacon…OR, if patens are used by the EMHCs
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as such, I generally receive from clergy whenever possible…nothing against the EMHCs, mind you (other than the fact that we have TOO many!), it’s just a small way to show reverence
 
dont be nervous. there is nothing wrong with receiving Christ on the tongue. if you are not doing it right the priest will help you.

tilt your head up

open you mouth wide but not painfully so

stick out your tongue about a 1/4" passed your bottom lip.

its as simple as that!!!
 
I am also in this same situation. I think I will recieve communion on my tongue this weekend.
 
MrsMeganMc said:
Over the last couple of weeks I have really wanted to receive communion on the tongue - but I am so nervous! I have received in my hand for so long that I am worried about messing it up.

I am also a bit self-conscious as my priest knows me very well - and I am worried what he will think if I approach without my hand out and if he will try to give me a blessing or something.

Also - do those of you who receive on the tongue only receive that way from the priest? I know some EMHC’s get a little nervous about those who receive on the tongue.

Any words of advice?

(Disclaimer: I do not want this to turn into a debate about which method of reception is “better” or about the use of EMHCs)
Click to expand...
I have been in the same situation when we got a new priest I was also afraid of this. Priests and Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion are both trained to wait for the parishioner. We try to wait for you to show one way or another before we make a move either to give you communion by the hand or on the tongue. I have never been in a situation to receive Holy Communion from an EMHC in a long time, especially since I am one and I am usually on the schedule for Sunday Mass every week. Although, if you prefer to receive communion on your tongue and you are in a communion line with an EMHC do not worry just stick out your tongue and roll with it. I know I was a little nervous my first time when parishioners were receiving communion on the tongue from me, but after 5 or so people we kind of get the hang of it. The thing that is most frustrating for the priest and for EMHC’s is when parishioners prisoners do not give us enough of their tongue. We try to be smooth as possible and not get our fingers all up in your mouth, so give us something to work with!
 
Not to be nervous. There is no purer way to receive Our Lord than by the hand of the Priest that changed bread to the Body and to receive it directly without the chance of any type of contamination.🙂 I make it a point to receive from the Priest on the tongue.
 
MrsMeganMc said:
Over the last couple of weeks I have really wanted to receive communion on the tongue - but I am so nervous! I have received in my hand for so long that I am worried about messing it up.

I am also a bit self-conscious as my priest knows me very well - and I am worried what he will think if I approach without my hand out and if he will try to give me a blessing or something.

Also - do those of you who receive on the tongue only receive that way from the priest? I know some EMHC’s get a little nervous about those who receive on the tongue.

Any words of advice?

(Disclaimer: I do not want this to turn into a debate about which method of reception is “better” or about the use of EMHCs)
Click to expand...
I also made the change from always recieving in the hand, to recieving on my toungue. I was SO nervous at first! Since I had made my first communion (the only choice they gave us was to recieve in the hangs) I had been curious about recieiving it on my toungue but never tried. As I became more involved with my faith I realized that I wanted to always recieve Him on my tounge… Just didn’t have the courage. I went to a Latin Mass one day…during Communion you kneel and recieve on your toungue. After this, I never recieved on my hand again! It is such a wonderful experience.

When i do get stuck in line with an EMHC, I hold out my hand. They aren’t the priest… I don’t like it. Lol! But that’s just me. Good luck! 🙂
 
forever_always said:
I also made the change from always recieving in the hand, to recieving on my toungue. I was SO nervous at first! Since I had made my first communion (the only choice they gave us was to recieve in the hangs) I had been curious about recieiving it on my toungue but never tried. As I became more involved with my faith I realized that I wanted to always recieve Him on my tounge… Just didn’t have the courage. I went to a Latin Mass one day…during Communion you kneel and recieve on your toungue. After this, I never recieved on my hand again! It is such a wonderful experience.

When i do get stuck in line with an EMHC, I hold out my hand. They aren’t the priest… I don’t like it. Lol! But that’s just me. Good luck! 🙂
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I don’t get it. You say “It is such a wonderful experience.”

Why? I’ve received both in the hand and on the tongue, and I really can’t say that I noticed any difference. I prefer to receive in the hand because were I to meet Jesus in His human form here on this earth, I would shake His Hand or embrace Him if He invited me to do so, but I wouldn’t touch Him with my tongue.
 
Cat said:
I don’t get it. You say “It is such a wonderful experience.”

Why? I’ve received both in the hand and on the tongue, and I really can’t say that I noticed any difference. I prefer to receive in the hand because were I to meet Jesus in His human form here on this earth, I would shake His Hand or embrace Him if He invited me to do so, but I wouldn’t touch Him with my tongue.
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That’s an interesting way that you took it… I no longer recieve in my hand because i believe that the Eucharist should be touched minimally… by the hands of the priest and that’s it.
 
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