Holy Eucharist-In hand or in mouth?

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Lexee15

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Okay, I recently moved and am trying to find a parish to join. I went to one and I was somewhat uncomfortable, first because there was no kneeling at every part of the mass where there is supposed to be kneeling, also they didn’t ring the bells at the consecration of the bread and wine…but what made me most uncomfortable was the fact that ALL the parishoners took the Eucharist in their hand…not one person took it directly in the mouth. I am sooooo not used to that…I know some people like to take it in hand and it’s there choice when they get up there, but I felt like I couldn’t ask for it in the mouth, which is why I just took it in my hand. I am still looking for a parish, because I don’t like this practice, I sincerely believe I should recieve the Lord in my mouth by the priest…not anyone else.
Anyway, is this common practice? Do many parishes only give the Eucharist in the hand…what does the church say about this?
 
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Lexee15:
Okay, I recently moved and am trying to find a parish to join. I went to one and I was somewhat uncomfortable, first because there was no kneeling at every part of the mass where there is supposed to be kneeling, also they didn’t ring the bells at the consecration of the bread and wine…but what made me most uncomfortable was the fact that ALL the parishoners took the Eucharist in their hand…not one person took it directly in the mouth. I am sooooo not used to that…I know some people like to take it in hand and it’s there choice when they get up there, but I felt like I couldn’t ask for it in the mouth, which is why I just took it in my hand. I am still looking for a parish, because I don’t like this practice, I sincerely believe I should recieve the Lord in my mouth by the priest…not anyone else.
Anyway, is this common practice? Do many parishes only give the Eucharist in the hand…what does the church say about this?
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Both are permitted. In my church I would guess more than half the congregation receive in the hand but I receive on the tongue.
 
Lexee,

You should get the responses you are looking for here in the Liturgy and Sacraments forum.
 
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Lexee15:
Do many parishes only give the Eucharist in the hand…what does the church say about this?
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Each parishoner has the right to decide for themselves whether to receive in the hand or in the mouth. The parish cannot decide, nor the priest, nor the bishop.

However, I’m not aware of any right to receive from the priest as opposed to an EMHC.
 
The priest thing is just my preference. I did always think it was the parishoner’s choice as to take it in the mouth or the hand, like I mentioned though the whole church took it in the hand, like it is just the way things are done. Can the church decide this is the way the Eucharist will be given if all the parishoners okay it?
 
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Lexee15:
The priest thing is just my preference. I did always think it was the parishoner’s choice as to take it in the mouth or the hand, like I mentioned though the whole church took it in the hand, like it is just the way things are done. Can the church decide this is the way the Eucharist will be given if all the parishoners okay it?
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No, it’s always YOUR option, once the bishop has allowed an option in his diocese. You could have presented yourself in line to this priest and he would have had to give it to you on the tongue. You can always get into the line where the priest distributes communion as well (I don’t think there’s a law written to support this, but neither is there one forbidding it and they are SUPPOSED to be “extraordinary” ministers). I rec. in the hand and it doesn’t bother me to rec. from an EMHC, but no one can trample on your rights as established by the church.
 
As everyone else has said its your preference. One doesn’t have to ask that the host be placed on their tongue, by keeping your hands folded and mouth open any priest is going to assume you want it on your tongue. 😉

I’ve never received the host in my hand just because I’m so scared that I would possibly be responsible for some particles that might fall to the floor. This might sound kind of odd too, but I always feel like I’m not worthy enough to touch it with my hand…lol…odd I know.
 
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JKirkLVNV:
No, it’s always YOUR option, once the bishop has allowed an option in his diocese.
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The bishop has no direct say in this matter. The indult to receive in the hand is requested by the episcopal conference (e.g., the USCCB), and is given by the Vatican on the stipulation that each parishoner has the right to decide for himself or herself whether to recieve in the mouth or the hand.
 
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Catholic2003:
The bishop has no direct say in this matter. The indult to receive in the hand is requested by the episcopal conference (e.g., the USCCB), and is given by the Vatican on the stipulation that each parishoner has the right to decide for himself or herself whether to recieve in the mouth or the hand.
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Good to know. I was under the impression that once it was granted by an ordinary, it couldn’t be removed, even if only one person wanted to continue it.
 
I prefer to receive on the tongue, the way I was taught 50yrs ago, but for 35 years it has not been an option in most churches I have attended. We are not allowed to kneel at a communion rail, which places the recipient and minister at the perfect orientation to each other to administer properly on the tongue. Standing is the most awkward position. Most lay ministers have no idea how to administer this way, there is never an attendent with a paten or purificator, the minister stands there like a dummy or makes a tsk tsk noise, or pointed ignores you our outright instructs you to hold out your hand. Unless I can receive from the priest, I don’t even try any more. Appalling lack of Christian charity and ignorance of the rubrics, but what else can you expect when that attitude has governed liturgy in this country for 40 years.
 
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Lorrie:
This might sound kind of odd too, but I always feel like I’m not worthy enough to touch it with my hand…lol…odd I know.
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it is not odd, that is exactly how we were taught prior to 1965. It surely cannot be any mystery to anybody that when this practice changed, the teaching also changed, part and parcel of the disrespect for the Eucharist, including banishing the tabernacles, and with it genuflexion and kneeling. No wonder the majority of Catholics, anytime this subject is polled, no longer believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. If our very liturgical practice downgrades this reality, and as the reformers are so fond of repeating all catechesis flows from the liturgy, what can we expect?
 
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asquared:
it is not odd, that is exactly how we were taught prior to 1965. It surely cannot be any mystery to anybody that when this practice changed, the teaching also changed, part and parcel of the disrespect for the Eucharist, including banishing the tabernacles, and with it genuflexion and kneeling. No wonder the majority of Catholics, anytime this subject is polled, no longer believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. If our very liturgical practice downgrades this reality, and as the reformers are so fond of repeating all catechesis flows from the liturgy, what can we expect?
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None of what you mention above is disrespecting the Eucharist. Are you honestly saying the Pope and Council of Bishops who determine what should be done are disrespecting the Eucharist?
 
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thistle:
None of what you mention above is disrespecting the Eucharist. Are you honestly saying the Pope and Council of Bishops who determine what should be done are disrespecting the Eucharist?
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No, he can’t be serious. I mean, the Apostles all received the Eucharist in their hands as well at the Last Supper. They were chosen by Jesus. I doubt he can also point out which teachings have “changed” since 1965.
 
At the recent Synod, it was proposed that communion be received in the mouth, and kneeling… only.! It remains to be seen what B16 writes about this in the coming months.

Mother Teresa, it is said, had tears of hurt whenever she saw someone receive by hand.
 
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MrS:
At the recent Synod, it was proposed that communion be received in the mouth, and kneeling… only.! It remains to be seen what B16 writes about this in the coming months.

Mother Teresa, it is said, had tears of hurt whenever she saw someone receive by hand.
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I have respect for whatever the Pope or whatever the Cardinals decide, but the Apostles received the Eucharist in the hand. Now, if receiving on the tongue helped people gain a better respect for the Eucharist than what they have now, then I’m all for it, but we’ll have to see.
 
Semper Fi:
I have respect for whatever the Pope or whatever the Cardinals decide, but the Apostles received the Eucharist in the hand. Now, if receiving on the tongue helped people gain a better respect for the Eucharist than what they have now, then I’m all for it, but we’ll have to see.
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😉 Were you there?
Actually you are probably right, because they ate the meal as they should eat during the Passover meal.

😉 😉 Since I am not an Apostle, I have never received in the hand… and don’t ever intend to.
 
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MrS:
At the recent Synod, it was proposed that communion be received in the mouth, and kneeling… only.! It remains to be seen what B16 writes about this in the coming months.

Mother Teresa, it is said, had tears of hurt whenever she saw someone receive by hand.
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One bishop suggested it and it go no support from the others. It didn’t make it into the final report or summation.
 
MrS said:
😉 Were you there?
Actually you are probably right, because they ate the meal as they should eat during the Passover meal.

😉 😉 Since I am not an Apostle, I have never received in the hand… and don’t ever intend to.
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Being an apostle apparently had nothing to do with it, as it was the practice of all Christians in the Patristic period.

I don’t care how people rec., I just don’t want people to walk away with the notion that the Church believes one method to be “holier” or “more reverent.” She doesn’t.
 
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thistle:
None of what you mention above is disrespecting the Eucharist. Are you honestly saying the Pope and Council of Bishops who determine what should be done are disrespecting the Eucharist?
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Historically though, weren’t many of these practices originally abuses that bishops were faced with that were later approved?..Is isn’t like the bishops sat down and said, hey, let’s have 'em receive in the hand because it will encourage more respect for Holy Communion.
 
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Confiteor:
Historically though, weren’t many of these practices originally abuses that bishops were faced with that were later approved?..Is isn’t like the bishops sat down and said, hey, let’s have 'em receive in the hand because it will encourage more respect for Holy Communion.
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That’s possible, but for once, I’d hate to see the laity blamed for this. Does anyone imagine that a lay person in the early 60’s marched up for Holy Communion, looked the priest in the eye, declined to kneel, and said, “Keep your mitt away from my tongue, Father! I prefer to receive by hand!” “Receive by hand? What do you mean?” asks the flummoxed priest.“Why, Father, I’m surprised at you. Haven’t you read the Church Fathers?” says the rebel. “Why yes, now that you mention it I have! Wacka-wacka! Enlightenment! Here ya go, in the hand!” I also doubt there was a lay committee of Catholics who got together and dreamed this up.
 
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