How to receive Communion on the Tongue

[salvereginadude]

A friend of mine has just recently convinced me why it is more appropriate to receive the Most Holy Eucharist reverently on the tongue. I have not received on the tongue previously because usually in my parish there’s a very good chance of a EMHC distributing Holy Communion. I know that, in most places, it has become rather uncommon to receive on the tongue and I’ve never wanted to make someone feel uncomfortable because of my own personal preferences.

Anyway, how does one rightly receive on the tongue? Do you just lower your head a little and stick out your tongue?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

A friend of mine has just recently convinced me why it is more appropriate to receive the Most Holy Eucharist reverently on the tongue. I have not received on the tongue previously because usually in my parish there’s a very good chance of a EMHC distributing Holy Communion. I know that, in most places, it has become rather uncommon to receive on the tongue and I’ve never wanted to make someone feel uncomfortable because of my own personal preferences.

Anyway, how does one rightly receive on the tongue? Do you just lower your head a little and stick out your tongue?

Just keep your hands folded, tilt your head back a bit and stick out your tongue, as far as you can. It is very difficult for the minister to place the Host firmly on your tongue if you just barely stick your tongue out, and the chance of the Host not sticking and falling to the ground is greater.

 

[allhers]

Just keep your hands folded, tilt your head back a bit and stick out your tongue, as far as you can. It is very difficult for the minister to place the Host firmly on your tongue if you just barely stick your tongue out, and the chance of the Host not sticking and falling to the ground is greater.

Good advise but I was taught to make the sign of the cross while the person in front of me was receiving and then to bow (with your head not from the waist), then do what you said. Plus, sometimes you have to tilt your head down instead of back if the Priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is shorter than you are. (That is, if you are receiving while standing.)

 

[SMHW]

LOL.

This just reminds me of when I was in the second grade and we were practicing to receive our First Communion. In Catholic school it was considered very important to practice sticking out our tongue just right so as to make sure it was far enough out and flat enough to receive and still seem respectful.

Apparently I and most of my classmates got it right but my poor friend had the hardest time sticking out her tongue. I’m not sure what she was doing wrong but I thought Sister was going to fail her on tongue technique.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I would correct only one thing. The rubrics call for a profound bow from the waist, not a bow of the head. Both tongue and hand are equally acceptable, and one is not more respectful than the other. Simply do what you are most comfortable in doing.
Deacon Ed B

 

[tee_eff_em]

I would correct only one thing. The rubrics call for a profound bow from the waist, not a bow of the head.

Then you would be incorrect, at least if you are thinking of the USCCB adaptations to the GIRM. (The unadapted GIRM does not specify a particular style of reverence, but leaves it to the Episcopal Conference to determine)

1. … When receiving Holy Communion,

the communicant bows his or her head

before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.

tee

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

The requirement for a profound bow from the waist while the person in front of you is receiving is required in my Archdiocese. Maybe this is what the Archbishop prefers. But this is what we are asked to do.
Deacon Ed B

 

[baltobetsy]

If you’re still going to MOQ, you can seat yourself in the priest’s line. It’s the right side of the main aisle for the celebrant. If there’s a deacon or another priest assisting with Holy Communion, it’s the left aisle also, on the St. Joseph Chapel side. There are two ministers there, but you can get in the correct line by the time you reach the front.

Betsy