How do YOU recieve Communion?

  • Thread starter Thread starter iheartdance
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
In the Byzantine rite, we only have one option: dropped in our mouths by a spoon.

When I attend Mass at a Latin-rite church, I receive on the tongue, but it hasn’t always been so. I went to Catholic school in the 1970s. We were taught both methods in 2nd grade, but receiving on the tongue was encouraged. By 8th grade, I don’t think I ever saw anybody in the Roman church receive on the tongue. Somewhere along the line I started receiving in the hand as well. I switched to receiving on the tongue when my first child was born. I had wanted to for many years, but I didn’t want to stand out. Having a baby in my arms was the perfect excuse. I have now had a baby or toddler in my arms for nearly 11 years.

On Sundays, I attend Divine Liturgy at my Byzantine parish, but during the week I often attend daily Mass at a local parish. At this particular parish, receiving on the tongue is pretty common, so I don’t feel like I stand out at all.
 
Kneeling, on the tongue, and from clergy only - not from an EMHC.
 
From a priest. 🙂

Copts don’t use a spoon. The priest puts the Eucharist directly into your mouth. We use these little communion cloths (I’m sure they have a specific name, but I don’t know what it is) to put over our mouths while consuming, too. So when the priest puts in the Eucharist you have it under your chin just in case, and then once you’re chewing you move it up to cover your mouth, to make sure you do not spill any of it.
 
In the hand and I bow before receiving Our Lord, and I don’t mind receiving from an EMHC.
 
RoseMary131 said:
Yup, me too… I bow down before the Holy Eucharist and then recieve Him on my hand… When I get back to my pew, I’ll lick my palm, index finger and thumb… Most of the faithful do that in my parish… 🙂
Click to expand...
 
Well I am normally the EMHC at my parish, when I am not I prefer to sit on the same side, the priests alters his side, so I can’t control that. I always genuflect and receive on the tongue. I feel it is a personal preference. I just prefer not to touch The Lord as my hands aren’t clean enough for Him.
 
JoelEatMilo said:
RoseMary131;10436331:
Yup, me too… I bow down before the Holy Eucharist and then recieve Him on my hand… When I get back to my pew, I’ll lick my palm, index finger and thumb… Most of the faithful do that in my parish… 🙂
Click to expand...
Do you wash your hand before receiving?

I only ask because if one is taking these steps out of respect for the real presence of our Lord wouldn’t it make sense to wash ones hand before receiving? The priest washes his hands before touching the consecrated host. He does this during Mass not before. Think of all the things one touches before receiving; the pew, missals, doors etc.

I’m not trying to be critical just a genuine question. I have never seen anyone lick their hand after receiving.

BTW : I receive on the tongue while kneeling.
Click to expand...
 
kyria said:
In the hand and I bow before receiving Our Lord, and I don’t mind receiving from an EMHC.
Click to expand...
This is also my personal preference. I believe that receiving in the hand mirrors the phrase “work of human hands” in the Offertory prayer. Of course I fully respect the discretion given to communicants in the GIRM - I’m just as protective of my right to receive in the hand as others are of their right to receive on the tongue. 🙂
 
iheartdance said:
Just wondering…
Click to expand...
On the tongue. I will not receive communion kneeling in churches where no one else does, out of concern and respect to keep visible unity. In such cases I compromise by doing a quick genuflection right before it’s my turn, because to approach Jesus without kneeling is not acceptable to me.

Oh, and I never receive from a non-priest, an extraordinary minister. I’ve never been to a Mass where they were actually necessary.
 
In the hand like the Twelve Apostles during the Last Supper and the first eight centuries of the Mass.
 
If my hands are clean, I have my left hand palms-up over my right hand. When the person who administers communion or the priest announces, “The body of Christ,” I reply, “Amen,” then receive Him into my palm. I step out of the line then place Him on my tongue then pray.

If my hands aren’t clean, the same process of coming up to them and saying “amen” ensues but I receive Him on my tongue instead 🙂
 
I receive in the hand unless I’m holding one of our babies and they’re squirming more than normal. Then I’ll take it on the tongue.
 
Here in NSW, Australia, it’s pretty much in the hand, unless you insist on the mouth.
Personally: hand.
 
Spudbynight said:
JoelEatMilo;10436390:
Do you wash your hand before
Click to expand...
receiving?

I only ask because if one is taking these steps out of respect for the real presence of our Lord wouldn’t it make sense to wash ones hand before receiving? The priest washes his hands before touching the consecrated host. He does this during Mass not before. Think of all the things one touches before receiving; the pew, missals, doors etc.

I’m not trying to be critical just a genuine question. I have never seen anyone lick their hand after receiving.

BTW : I receive on the tongue while kneeling.
I receive in the hand, standing, after making a bow of the head. It’s usually from the priest since our EMHCs are usually offering the Chalice.

The reason for licking after Communion is simply to ensure there are no particles left in the hand. I check and if I see any I do the same thing. I don’t see the need for washing my hands before Communion beyond having clean hands when I leave the house. How would you accomplish that without leaving nave?

The priest’s washing of the hands is a ritual gesture of purification that doesn’t really clean them.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top