Need help in how to receive Communion on the tongue and not in my hand

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I feel (for me anyway) that I would prefer to receive Jesus this way instead of in my hand, but I don’t really know how to go about it. I’m scared of it falling or me looking like a moron (I don’t want it to look like I’m sticking my tongue out at the Priest). I wanted to do it last week at Mass, but I got scared and held my hands out like I always have.

I have read many posts where people discuss the pros/cons of how Communion should be received, and my personal feelings are that I don’t want my hand “tarnishing” the Host.

Please don’t think I’m a doofus, I just really want to do this the right way and need some suggestions. 😊
 
Open your mouth, stick your chin out some, lean very slightly forward, and have your tongue resting lightly behind your lower lip.
It’s easy after the first time.
 
I walk up with my fingers interlaced and then point the palms towards the floor as soon as the priest or EMHC can see me so it is obvious that I will not be receiving in the hand. This should (and usually does) make it obvious that I wish to receive on the tongue. Ocasionally I’ve had someone assume I’m just coming up for a blessing but that’s rare.
 
I’ve always made the suggestion that folks can try out a posture at home in front of a mirror first. I used to be an EMHC and my guess is that people probably think they are opening their mouth wide enough, when they really aren’t.

Also, being a taller than average woman, if I approach a priest or EMHC who happens to be shorter than I am, I always make sure to do a little bend at the knees instead of the waist or head. That way I am not tipping my mouth down & forcing them to try to aim the host upward & in. Make any sense?:o
 
It’s not a very gracious look, but then it’s not really meant to be. You are sticking your tongue out (letting it stick out, not forcefully) and you do have your mouth hanging open. As soon as you say, Amen, open your mouth, lift your chin, and let your tongue slid out to your lip. The EMHC and priests know what to do from there. Just be sure not to close your mouth too quickly. And it helps to keep your hands clasped around waist level so it is obvious that you are not receiving in the hand.
 
Thanks for the responses. I am going to try it next week at Mass (I chickened out today, too :o ). I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes!
 
Tell you my :o story… after almost 10 years of reception in the hand, I decided to give it a try. I was at HDO Mass at the Cathedral, and the Bishop was presiding. Yes, I was in the Bishop’s line. In my head, I am repeating “open mouth, toungue out, head tilted back”… I bow and approach the Bishop, open mouth, tongue out, head back. He holds up the Host “Body of Christ” - I said “Aben” (left my tougue out). The Bishop did not laugh, I lived through the embarrasment.
 
I was in the same situation this past January. I made my first retreat in years and the priests only gave Communion on the tongue due to intinction. I was very surprised that I had no problems.

Ironically, the pastor of the parish I have been attending wrote about receiving on the tongue in the October 21 bulletin. You will need Adobe reader for this. The parish uses intinction and the altar rail.
 
Everyone at our church recieves in the hand, but I would rather recieve on the tongue. You don’t think the priest would be upset, do you?
 
LilyM said:
I should hope not! It’s actually the norm in the US and the hand is by indult, so every priest should be prepared for both.
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Seriously? I always thought that the hand was considered normal post V II?
 
When it becomes automatic for you, you’ll focus more on the fact you’re receiving Jesus instead of the “how’s.”

What bothers me as an EMHC is when communicants want to “take” rather than “receive” the Blessed Sacrament. They reach up to take the host with their thumb and forefinger. When someone who is holding a toddler with one arm does that, I usually don’t just release the host – I subtly raise it to their face, indicating I’d like to them to receive on the tongue. I do this because I’m afraid they will drop the host, not having their under hand underneath.
 
skatepixie said:
Seriously? I always thought that the hand was considered normal post V II?
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‘normal’ as in common is different from ‘the norm’ - the tongue is ‘the norm’ in that every country in the world uses it - there still are a few that don’t have the indult (special permission) for the hand.
 
Hold your hands in the prayer position at naval level. Say “Amen” and stick your tongue out while tilting the head back slightly.

If you’re going to receive this way, make sure that the Priest knows that you want it by sticking your tongue out. It can be difficult for him to do this if you don’t stick it out far enough.

Don’t send any confusing signals with your hands and by not sticking your tongue out far enough.

I asked my Priest this question and that is what he told me. He regularly says the Tridentine Mass and this is how we all receive.
 
quiet52 said:
When it becomes automatic for you, you’ll focus more on the fact you’re receiving Jesus instead of the “how’s.”

What bothers me as an EMHC is when communicants want to “take” rather than “receive” the Blessed Sacrament. They reach up to take the host with their thumb and forefinger. When someone who is holding a toddler with one arm does that, I usually don’t just release the host – I subtly raise it to their face, indicating I’d like to them to receive on the tongue. I do this because I’m afraid they will drop the host, not having their under hand underneath.
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I am also an EMHC. When a communicant has his or her hands full, such as when holding a child, I give them the Host on the tongue. I was taught to do this.

To the OP: I do not know how tall you are, but if you wish to receive on the tongue, I recommend going in the line where the priest/deacon/EMHC is tall. If the minister is much shorter than you, it may be awkward for him or her to reach your mouth.
 
I think the “take” vs “recieve” point was a good one. I want to recieve the host. I just don’t feel like I should put Him in my nasty hands. 😛
 
I’m going to definitely “practice my stance” in the mirror to make sure my head is back enough and my mouth is open enough. My worst fear about this is if It fell. :eek: I’m only about 5’4" so I hopefully am not too tall. I pray that I can do this successfully. Thanks for all the GREAT advice! 🙂
 
quiet52 said:
When it becomes automatic for you, you’ll focus more on the fact you’re receiving Jesus instead of the “how’s.”

What bothers me as an EMHC is when communicants want to “take” rather than “receive” the Blessed Sacrament. They reach up to take the host with their thumb and forefinger. When someone who is holding a toddler with one arm does that, I usually don’t just release the host – I subtly raise it to their face, indicating I’d like to them to receive on the tongue. I do this because I’m afraid they will drop the host, not having their under hand underneath.
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In this very situation I have seen the priests at my parish also refuse to give communion in the hand. They also wait (or maybe whisper directions) for the person to receive on the tongue. I try not to watch other receive, but I have noticed that most who receive in the hand are respectful and devout. I know that our DRE and the RCIA team give very clear teaching on how to receive and they both encourage reception on the tongue.
 
“How I wish for a Catholic cultural revival! Fr. Perrone” From the link to a bullletin by WanderAimlessly. And the parish has a Purgatorial Society! How wonderful! I understand what they are but have never ever seen a parish that had one.

What about this, from the Baltimore Catechism? [If it shd. be a new thread, moderators, that’s OK]. In Q. 250:
A little piece that you could scarcely see would be the body of Our Lord. However, the particle that is given to the people is about the size of a twenty-five cent piece, so that they can swallow it before it melts. In receiving Holy Communion you must never let it entirely dissolve in your mouth, for if you do not swallow it you will not receive Holy Communion at all.
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I often do that. Uh oh! Would that be because you weren’t then “eating” the Host under the appearance of bread?
 
Matas said:
Open your mouth, stick your chin out some, lean very slightly forward, and have your tongue resting lightly behind your lower lip.
It’s easy after the first time.
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This is what I’ve been doing all my life, and because of it I’ve never dropped a host.

Follow Matas’ fine advice, and just approach the sanctuary with your hands folded in the prayer position and you’ll be fine. 🙂
 
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