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

[Mannyfit75]

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.

I prefer receiving the Blessed Eucharist on my mouth. My hands are not worthy to received th Lord.

 

[Mannyfit75]

“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:

I often do that. Uh oh! Would that be because you weren’t then “eating” the Host under the appearance of bread?

I usually break the host in half using my tongue and then consume it completely…

 

[Al_Masetti]

If the recipient is standing, and if the Host is placed on the tongue, and if the person giving Holy Communion is shorter than the communicant, then there is some probability of the Host falling.

“In the old days”, communicants kneeled and the priest was higher than the communicant and there was an altar boy standing there holding a paten just in case. Excellent system. And also faster than the present system.

 

[lyda]

To the OP–I understand your fear. I chickened out the last couple weeks, too, but today I made up my mind and just did it. It was easy,and I felt better knowing that there were no particles in my hand.
From now on, I’ll always receive on the tongue. So don’t be afraid–just stick out your tongue and do it!

 

[BritishCatholic]

Tell you my 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.

That’s classic! Oh, I love it. Not to be cruel or anything, but it would actually be a lot more funny if His Excellency did laugh.

 

[MSParrott]

:nope: Once again I chickened out. I’m just afraid of the Host falling, so I received Communion in my hand. I’m so irritated with myself.

 

[LilyM]

:nope: Once again I chickened out. I’m just afraid of the Host falling, so I received Communion in my hand. I’m so irritated with myself.

Don’t be irritated - being afraid of it falling is a legitimate reason to prefer receiving in the hand - you’re concerned about careful handling of the Eucharist, which is a GOOD thing and pleasing to God :yup:

 

[MSParrott]

Don’t be irritated - being afraid of it falling is a legitimate reason to prefer receiving in the hand - you’re concerned about careful handling of the Eucharist, which is a GOOD thing and pleasing to God :yup:

Thanks. Hopefully sometime soon I will be able to put my fear aside. I’m just thankful that I was able to receive Him at all.

 

[Feedmysheep]

How grateful I am that I always have an infant or a toddler in my arms when I receive Our Lord- my parish priest helps reception on the tongue right along and it’s nothing but natural. In fact, by now, he doesn’t even attempt to place Our Lord in my hands (on the RARE occasion that they’re child-free), since I am one of the few who faithfully receives on the tongue in my parish.

If it helps, offer up your anxieties for the Holy Souls. It’s always helpful to remember that the Mass isn’t about us.

FMS

 

[Angels_Watchin]

When we all used to kneel at the altar rail to receive - this wasn’t even discussed.

While kneeling, we were ALL MUCH shorter than the priest and he could almost drop it into our mouths.

Best way to avoid a problem? Genuflect to receive on the tongue.

 

[baltobetsy]

What about this, from the Baltimore Catechism? [If it shd. be a new thread, moderators, that’s OK]. In Q. 250:

Quote:
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.

I often do that. Uh oh! Would that be because you weren’t then “eating” the Host under the appearance of bread?

Every time we have a “chewing vs not chewing” thread, I bring this up. Thank you so much for documentation - I was taught this in a class by a very reliable priest, but could never quote anything. The reason is that Jesus is present in the host as long as the appearances of bread remain. If you let the host dissolve completely in your mouth, you have held Jesus in your mouth for a little while, but you have not received Communion. Unless of course, you received under the form of wine as well. But then you still did not obey the command to “take and eat.” His flesh is real food, to be really eaten, not dissolved as if It were a breath mint.

People do this out of sentiment and devotion, wanting to perceive Jesus within themselves as long as possible. But perhaps it would be helpful to think that once you swallow the host, it is deeper within you and closer to your heart.

Betsy

 

[tcraig]

:nope: Once again I chickened out. I’m just afraid of the Host falling, so I received Communion in my hand. I’m so irritated with myself.

If it will help you, remember that there is a bit of “stick” when the dry Host touches your moist tongue. It’s not going to slip right off.

 

[andre]

Thanks for bringing this up, as I have difficulties because I was not tought to receive the Eucharist on the tongue.

I always did it wrong and the priest or minister always touched my tongue or lip. (it’s embarrasing when it’s someone I don’t know)

But now I will try what you all suggested.

Also, I tend to receive it on the tongue when It’s a priest, and mostly when it’s a priest I know well. So I don’t receive on my tongue when it’s a Eucharistic minister. (I don’t know why I do this)

I also like it very much when I receive the Eucharist by intiction from a priest.

But thanks again for your tips on how to receive on the tongue, I always wanted to ask someone or the priest how to do this properly as I didn’t receive instruction for communicating like this, but I always forget until I read this thread.

 

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

Betsy said:

If you let the host dissolve completely in your mouth, you have held Jesus in your mouth for a little while, but you have not received Communion. Unless of course, you received under the form of wine as well. But then you still did not obey the command to “take and eat.” His flesh is real food, to be really eaten, not dissolved as if It were a breath mint.

OK. I am not familiar with the Baltimore Catechism, having received what little childhood religious education I did in the 90s, so I only found this out looking up something for this thread. It’s good to know! (obviously.) Thanks for confirming, Betsy. I mean, I was pretty sure the Baltimore Catechism would be right, I had just never heard this anywhere else.

 

[Margarite]

Patens really need to come back.
One time my dad and the archbishop of Denver (a very holy man now that my dad told him to do as Gandalf did: “You Shall Not Pass!”) Anyways they were arguing over communion on the hand or tongue and patens. The good archbishop was more liberal at the time. Well a Sunday later we went to the Cathedral for mass and the Archbishop gave Holy Communion to my father, well the host fell. My dad felt it falling so he put out his hands and caught it (cat quick!) My dad looked at the archbishop and the archbishop looked at him. My dad’s point was proved. The archbishop has now also been convinced that receiving on the tongue is more respectful.

Those of you who receive on the hand just think about this. The priest does this, but he thoughly washes his hands afterward in water that is washed down a special drain that only drains into the ground not into a sewer. He also has consecrated hands. Those of us who are parishoners either were born unable (women) to be priests, or chose not to (men). This means that God or yourselves (men only) was the one who decided that you should not have this honor. He gives you other honors (having children). I think every parish should do intincture (sp?) that way no one recieves Our Lord irreverently.

Did anyone hear of the miracle of the host that turned into real flesh. They took a tiny part of it and weighed it against a huge part and they both weighed the same.

 

[marchoi]

For the OP: I hope by now you’ve succeeded in receiving on the tongue. Yeah, it takes practice, but it’ll work out. But, as was said before, it’s really what’s inside that matters, so if the worry of the host falling is keeping you from trying to receive on the tongue, that works too.

Now, with regards to “our hands being unworthy, etc. etc.” - think about it - we are unworthy, period. That’s why we have the “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed” (or, if you prefer, “Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea”). So I feel like if you’re going to say that our hands are unworthy, why not the rest of our bodies?

One of the best reasons I have heard for receiving on the tongue is to set the receiving of the host apart from any other activity of consumption. It’s special, and receiving on the tongue requires a personal mindset that, “Oh man, this is Jesus. I am doing something totally special, totally awesome, totally amazing.” The entire, “Only the priest’s hands have been consecrated, etc. etc.” argument doesn’t fly with me. The reason the priest’s hands have been consecrated is so that he can impart blessings with the full effect - something that we, the lay, can’t do. And this obviously includes consecrating the body and blood of Christ. My two cents.

 

[MSParrott]

For the OP: I hope by now you’ve succeeded in receiving on the tongue. Yeah, it takes practice, but it’ll work out. But, as was said before, it’s really what’s inside that matters, so if the worry of the host falling is keeping you from trying to receive on the tongue, that works too.

Now, with regards to “our hands being unworthy, etc. etc.” - think about it - we are unworthy, period. That’s why we have the “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed” (or, if you prefer, “Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea”). So I feel like if you’re going to say that our hands are unworthy, why not the rest of our bodies?

One of the best reasons I have heard for receiving on the tongue is to set the receiving of the host apart from any other activity of consumption. It’s special, and receiving on the tongue requires a personal mindset that, “Oh man, this is Jesus. I am doing something totally special, totally awesome, totally amazing.” The entire, “Only the priest’s hands have been consecrated, etc. etc.” argument doesn’t fly with me. The reason the priest’s hands have been consecrated is so that he can impart blessings with the full effect - something that we, the lay, can’t do. And this obviously includes consecrating the body and blood of Christ. My two cents.

I hate to say it, but no, I have not received Communion on my tongue, still receiving via the hand. I wish I could get over my “fear” - hopefully someday I will. I pray that the Holy Spirit can just overcome me and I will be able to.

 

[Margarite]

Do you have any friends or family who receive on the tongue? If so ask them to go with you and sort of poke you in the back just before you receive to remind you that you have made a decision to conquer your fear. If not see go to the priest for a while and get used to receiving on the tongue. Don’t worry. Your tongue grabs the host like there was glue on it. And don’t worry about it looking bad because it doesn’t. Actually it looks better and much more beautiful. :getholy:
I will pray that Mother Mary will help you.
You Friend in Christ,
Margarite

PS: Remember if you courage is failing you that we are all routing for you.

 

[dilan]

Like Andre I’ve never been taught how to receive on the tongue. Before my conversion I asked our priest how I should receive, hoping he would tell me which way and how. I also wanted to know what was most frequently done in our parish. He answered me wisely as he did not tell me what the majority did, he did not give me his preferance, he just said “do as you are used to”.

Which I couldn’t as I had been a protestant. That was years ago when we used to kneel by the altar, receive in the hand and use individual glasses. So, I had to learn a new way.

His open answer made me do some serious thinking. Then I decided to receive on the tongue. It was a challenge, but actually, that’s part of why I did it. I wanted to set the moment apart from everything else and to replace my fear of looking stupid with internal humble reverence and focus on Our Lord’s presence there and then.

Still - I didn’t know quite how to do it, and I didn’t dare to ask… So guess where I turned? Yup, to this forum, and I’m so grateful that we can share the practical sides of our faith as well as the spiritual ones!

As far as the practical side goes I practiced in front of a mirror and it is true that the mouth feels more open than it is. I tilt my head up a little and as I’m rather tall I may have to bend my knees slightly. At first I had to think about it, now I just do it.

Equally important I pray, both on my way to Mass and prior to Communion, that I may receive reverently and safely.

When I receive from somebody I don’t know, it takes a bit more concentration because I don’t know how experienced that person is. Like anything else it’s a matter of practice - for both.
.

 

[Joannm]

Those of you who receive on the hand just think about this. The priest does this, but he thoughly washes his hands afterward in water that is washed down a special drain that only drains into the ground not into a sewer. He also has consecrated hands. :

He may or may not thouroughly wash his hands, but either way is it after he returns from the sacristy after shaking the hands of hundreds of parishioners as they come out of church. And I have never seen them wash their hands in the sacrarium.