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dizzy_dave
Guest
Can anyone tell me the proper way to receive Communion on the tongue. It seems that when I do it my tongue always touches their fingers. Am I doing something wrong. Thanks!
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turboEDvo
Guest
Please, do tell, I’ve wanted to start doing this for a while now, but I’m never sure how to go about it 
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Eamon
.Eamon
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jrabs
Guest
I have recently figured out the problem is not me. I used to think it was me and maybe I was not sticking out my tongue far enough.
I think it has to do with the giver.
I have noticed there are some priests who are very good at distributing the Holy Eucharist and laying it on the tongue consistently without problem ( the priest at my daily mass is excellent at this). I think they have figured out that the Eucharist sticks very well if you simply lay it on the tip.
Other priests feel they need to make sure it is really firmly set on the center of your tongue. I think that is where the problem of touching your tongue creeps in.
I think it has to do with the giver.
I have noticed there are some priests who are very good at distributing the Holy Eucharist and laying it on the tongue consistently without problem ( the priest at my daily mass is excellent at this). I think they have figured out that the Eucharist sticks very well if you simply lay it on the tip.
Other priests feel they need to make sure it is really firmly set on the center of your tongue. I think that is where the problem of touching your tongue creeps in.
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dizzy_dave
Guest
Everytime I get Communion on the tounge the person distributing it always hits the host on my lip or tooth or something or I lick them, it’s kinda embarrassing. I have to receive this way bacause I’m holding my two year old daughter. Any suggestions?
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Bulldog
Guest
I believe it can the way in which the Blessed Sacrament is given, by rotating hand over palm down, it might be easier to catch the host on the tongue because the thumb it a bit behind the index finger holding the host… but I’m a recepaint-- what do I know. 
… I’m alway scared when receiving on the tongue too, but some times both parties are…
… I’m alway scared when receiving on the tongue too, but some times both parties are…
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Pug
Guest
On another thread someone suggested I be sure to drink some water before mass and it really helped. The host sticks so much better if I don’t have a dry mouth. I know it sounds dumb, but it helped. Then if my tongue is out reasonably far, the priest sort of just lays it there and it sticks. I make sure my mouth is not dry on my way up in the line. Sorry if too graphic, but as I said, it worked for me.
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Melissa
Guest
Tongue out, head tilted slightly back (not quite as extreme as for shampooing–looking up to the face while kneeling is about the right angle–but then my parish still uses the altar rail, and it’s much more awkward while standing. However, I had major nerve damage in one hand, and I’m just too nervous to receive that way as I drop mundane stuff all the time, and that’s a chance I’m not willing to take with the Host).
It does also depend on the familiarity of the person putting it there–we have three priests and three deacons, but I’d guess somewhere around 75% of the communicants at my parish receive on the tongue, so they’re well-practiced, and I’ve never had a problem.
It does also depend on the familiarity of the person putting it there–we have three priests and three deacons, but I’d guess somewhere around 75% of the communicants at my parish receive on the tongue, so they’re well-practiced, and I’ve never had a problem.
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Bobby_Jim
Guest
having served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, I can say that technique among communicants varies. You have those who:
(1) Open their mouth slightly, and move their tongue forward one-half to one inch out of their mouth,
(2) barely part their lips a little bit, or
(3) open their mouth wide and stick their tongue WAY out.
I would say that (1) is proper, and easiest to get the host onto the person’s tongue without touching it. (2) is most difficult - kind of like trying to put a spoon into a baby’s mouth (‘the airplane flies into the hangar…’). with (3) it can be harder to avoid touching the person’s tongue. And it definitely gives the impression of Gene Simmons from KISS, or maybe a dog.
Regardless of your personal technique, I have a feeling that priests develop a certain dexterity for placing the host on the tongue, that extraordinary ministers don’t have, by virtue of the priest practicing almost every day at Mass.
(1) Open their mouth slightly, and move their tongue forward one-half to one inch out of their mouth,
(2) barely part their lips a little bit, or
(3) open their mouth wide and stick their tongue WAY out.
I would say that (1) is proper, and easiest to get the host onto the person’s tongue without touching it. (2) is most difficult - kind of like trying to put a spoon into a baby’s mouth (‘the airplane flies into the hangar…’). with (3) it can be harder to avoid touching the person’s tongue. And it definitely gives the impression of Gene Simmons from KISS, or maybe a dog.
Regardless of your personal technique, I have a feeling that priests develop a certain dexterity for placing the host on the tongue, that extraordinary ministers don’t have, by virtue of the priest practicing almost every day at Mass.
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Benedictus
Guest
I’ve observed that priests are generally better at giving Communion on the tongue than most Extraordinary Ministers, probably due to practice or training. At daily Masses, there tends to be more people receiving on the tongue, and both the priests and Extraordinary Ministers are better at it than on Sundays.
In too many parishes, the Extraordinary Ministers aren’t properly trained to give Communion on the tongue.
Everything seems to be a lot easier when the communicant is kneeling at an altar rail. I think the angle in probably better, and height differences are less important. When I’m at a parish that doesn’t use an altar rail (which is the usual case) and I’m taller than the person giving me Communion (which is not unusual), then I don’t even try to take it on the tongue as I know it’s unlikely to go well.
In too many parishes, the Extraordinary Ministers aren’t properly trained to give Communion on the tongue.
Everything seems to be a lot easier when the communicant is kneeling at an altar rail. I think the angle in probably better, and height differences are less important. When I’m at a parish that doesn’t use an altar rail (which is the usual case) and I’m taller than the person giving me Communion (which is not unusual), then I don’t even try to take it on the tongue as I know it’s unlikely to go well.
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yinekka
Guest
I found this on an SSPX site. Tilt head back, open mouth and rest tongue on lower lip - works for me.
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EddieArent
Guest
I do the same as if a doctor or dentist told me to open wide. Works everytime.
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lovelavender
Guest
Umm, I don’t know the right way to do it, obviously. The one time in my life I recieved on my tongue, the priest (I think it was a deacon) hit my tooth and the host fell on the floor.:bigyikes: I was so guilt-ridden, and I haven’t been back to that particular church since then. I feel like I did something horribly wrong. It’s not our normal church. It was actually at our cathedral which somehow makes it so much worse.
I would advise anyone to open your mouth wide (I didn’t). I was too embarassed to open my mouth too wide.
I would advise anyone to open your mouth wide (I didn’t). I was too embarassed to open my mouth too wide.
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Kielbasi
Guest
2nd graders learnt how to receive on the tongue successfully for many decades, I don’t think it should pose any problem for an adult.
Although the nun did rehearse us before the First Communion, with unconsecrated communion hosts. She didn’t have any problem putting in on our tongues either.
Communion on the tongue isn’t that difficult.
Although the nun did rehearse us before the First Communion, with unconsecrated communion hosts. She didn’t have any problem putting in on our tongues either.
Communion on the tongue isn’t that difficult.
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Joan_M
Guest
Exactly! For the receipient that is correct. However, it also requires that the person placing the Host on the tongue has been trained and practiced some (with unconsecrated hosts) before. I receive on the tongue snd use the method for receiving quoted above. However, some - particularly EMHC’s - seem to have trouble placing the Host. It is all in the technique. If the Host is picked up with index finger and thumb and the palm is facing the receipient, it is very easy to place firmly on the tongue. There is no accidental touching of the receipient’s tongue, since the giver simply pushes the Host forward and down onto the tongue while simultaneously sliding the thumb back.
I have experienced persons holding the Host with two fingers (and even three!) and thumb and plaacing all into my mouth! No chance, then, of avoiding touching my tongue!
I have also experienced uncertain EMHC’s tossing the Host into my mouth, as if they were feeding a dog they were afraid would bite!
I really wish EMHC’s would get proper training, and then practice!
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