How do I properly receive the Eucharist?

[steve99]

Ghosty:

In the United States it is permitted to receive in the hands, though outside of the U.S. it’s extremely uncommon, IIRC.

If you are going to receive in the hand, I believe it’s done with the left hand cupped in the right. It’s also preferable to bow before stepping up to receive, at least that’s how I’ve seen it done.

In the church I attend, most people receive on the tongue, and that’s the way I always receive. That is the traditional way to do it, and that is the way that you will see it done in the rest of the world, and in the non-Latin Catholic Churches.

My personal advice is to receive on the tongue in the tradition manner, but that’s just my preference. What ever you do, remember that you are receiving Christ directly, and you should respect that fact.

Peace and God bless!

In my experience receiving in the hand is the most common practice in England. Very few receive on the tongue.

 

[thistle]

I’ve been to Mass in different European countries and Asia and the most common way that people receive the Eucharist is in the hand. It would seem to me this applies globally as being the most usual way to receive.

 

[aurora77]

palmas85:

Hopefully very reverently.

Exactly. Receive on the hand or on the tongue, whatever, just do it in a spirit of humility, thankfulness, and praise.