Nervous about receiving on the tongue

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Dauphin

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I’ve recently been convinced that reception of Communion on the hand is an unacceptable method. I recognize that it’s really an abuse which has contributed in a dramatic way to the decline in belief in the real presence, and I can no longer do it in good conscience.

It may seem a bit silly to some people, but I’m a bit nervous about receiving the Eucharist on the tongue. I’m not sure exactly how to approach the priest, or whether/how far to stick out my tongue, or where to focus my gaze, or whether/when I should bow my head (kneeling being unwelcome). I’m also worried about the Body of Christ falling to the ground, since a paten isn’t used to catch it just in case. Does anyone have any tips for me? Am I worrying too much about something that’s very simple?
 
Open wide, stick your tongue out far, the priest should take care of the rest. The Host will stick to your tongue.

Don’t worry about it, they’re professionals.
 
Dauphin said:
I’ve recently been convinced that reception of Communion on the hand is an unacceptable method. I recognize that it’s really an abuse which has contributed in a dramatic way to the decline in belief in the real presence, and I can no longer do it in good conscience.
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Woah there partner. While I believe the second part of your statement to be true (“contributed in a dramatic way to the decline in belief in the real presence”), do not go around saying that reception in the hand is “unacceptable.” The Church has deemed that it is acceptable. Who are you to judge the Church’s wisdom?

Maybe you didn’t mean *exactly *what you said?

I would imagine (I haven’t received First Communion yet) that reception on the tougue is one of those things that gets easier over time. You could always talk to the priest about your concerns.

-SC
 
StatCrux said:
Woah there partner. While I believe the second part of your statement to be true (“contributed in a dramatic way to the decline in belief in the real presence”), do not go around saying that reception in the hand is “unacceptable.” The Church has deemed that it is acceptable. Who are you to judge the Church’s wisdom?

Maybe you didn’t mean *exactly *what you said?

I would imagine (I haven’t received First Communion yet) that reception on the tougue is one of those things that gets easier over time. You could always talk to the priest about your concerns.

-SC
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The church’s leaders made a serious disciplinary error in permitting reception on the hand. I’m not going to go around telling people that they’re sinning by receiving on the hand, because they’re not. I will, however, say openly that this error should be corrected, and Rome should restore the pre-Vatican II norms for reception of Communion. The status quo is unacceptable.
 
Dauphin said:
I’ve recently been convinced that reception of Communion on the hand is an unacceptable method. I recognize that it’s really an abuse which has contributed in a dramatic way to the decline in belief in the real presence, and I can no longer do it in good conscience.

It may seem a bit silly to some people, but I’m a bit nervous about receiving the Eucharist on the tongue. I’m not sure exactly how to approach the priest, or whether/how far to stick out my tongue, or where to focus my gaze, or whether/when I should bow my head (kneeling being unwelcome). I’m also worried about the Body of Christ falling to the ground, since a paten isn’t used to catch it just in case. Does anyone have any tips for me? Am I worrying too much about something that’s very simple?
Click to expand...
Sadly, you are wrong about receiving-in-hand being an “unacceptable method” to receive communion (where it is permitted at least) and it’s outlandish to think the Holy See would permit anything that could dramatically lead to the decline in belief in the Real Presence.

“Just do it” is what I would recommend – as carefully and reverently as you can manage regarding reception on the tongue. After 2-3 times your anxiety will be reduced. I would also suggest you ponder why you believe the Church could possibly allow anything that leads to what you suggest…
 
Dauphin said:
The church’s leaders made a serious disciplinary error in permitting reception on the hand. I’m not going to go around telling people that they’re sinning by receiving on the hand, because they’re not. I will, however, say openly that this error should be corrected, and Rome should restore the pre-Vatican II norms for reception of Communion. The status quo is unacceptable.
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Who are you to suggest that? Is this parody? :confused:

Your comments are no more valid than someone suggesting that “Rome” should correct its error in not allowing communion in hand *everywhere *in the Church as was the practice in the early church.

When all is said and done it’s not your call.
 
Daprato said:
Sadly, you are wrong about receiving-in-hand being an “unacceptable method” to receive communion (where it is permitted at least) and it’s outlandish to think the Holy See would permit anything that could dramatically lead to the decline in belief in the Real Presence.
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Communion in the hand has contributed to a dramatic decline in belief in the real presence. Our actions directly influence our principles. Over time, those principles have faded and been replaced by a general lack of faith in the real presence.

And yes, the Holy See permitted a practice which has lead to a decline in belief in the real presence. Do you feel it hasn’t?
“Just do it” is what I would recommend – as carefully and reverently as you can manage regarding reception on the tongue. After 2-3 times your anxiety will be reduced. I would also suggest you ponder why you believe the Church could possibly allow anything that leads to what you suggest…
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I’ve pondered that alot. It’s really a shame.
 
When you approach the priest or deacon (the best choice in the case of receiving on the tongue, as some EMHC are not comfy with it), have your hands in the “prayer” position (they should probably be there anyway). When you get to Father/Deacon, keep your hands in the pray position, acknowledge with the Amen and open wide. You don’t need to stick your tongue out all the way, but enough so Father knows what’s going on.

If you feel that you should kneel to receive Our Lord and Savior, then do so. Those who choose to kneel are not to be impeded from doing so, as nothing has come from Rome saying not to kneel.
 
Dauphin said:
…And yes, the Holy See permitted a practice which has lead to a decline in the real presence. Do you feel it hasn’t?..
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No, I don’t. Receiving communion in one’s hand is an ancient practice. I believe horrid catechesis is the main reason for a drop in the belief of the Real Presence – including proper catechesis on the history of the different ways to receive Holy Communion.
 
Daprato said:
Who are you to suggest that? Is this parody? :confused:

Your comments are no more valid than someone suggesting that “Rome” should correct its error in not allowing communion in hand *everywhere *in the Church as was the practice in the early church.
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There was no universal practice in the early church. The church was gradually lead in the right direction, and universalized reception on the tongue
When all is said and done it’s not your call.
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Do you really doubt that Pope Benedict would see the practice abolished in an instant if he had the power?
 
PatienceAndLove said:
When you approach the priest or deacon (the best choice in the case of receiving on the tongue, as some EMHC are not comfy with it), have your hands in the “prayer” position (they should probably be there anyway). When you get to Father/Deacon, keep your hands in the pray position, acknowledge with the Amen and open wide. You don’t need to stick your tongue out all the way, but enough so Father knows what’s going on.

If you feel that you should kneel to receive Our Lord and Savior, then do so. Those who choose to kneel are not to be impeded from doing so, as nothing has come from Rome saying not to kneel.
Click to expand...
Or you can be obedient to the Catholic Church’s documented instruction, rather than one’s own personal idea of piety and receive while standing.
 
Daprato said:
No, I don’t. Receiving communion in one’s hand is an ancient practice. I believe horrid catechesis is the main reason for a drop in the belief of the Real Presence – including proper catechesis on the history of the different ways to receive Holy Communion.
Click to expand...
I think that our behaviors properly dispose our souls to the appropriate reverence. If everyone started acting as if Christ isn’t on the altar, then belief in the real presence is bound to decline, no matter whether people initially had the conviction that He’s really there.

Communion on the hand isn’t the only factor, but it has helped a certain someone enormously to reduce faith in the real presence.
 
Dauphin said:
There was no universal practice in the early church. The church was gradually lead in the right direction, and universalized reception on the tongue
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To be honest, we really don’t know if there was a universal practice or not. To even infer the liturgies celebrated by the Apostles and other early saints were anything less than “right” just leaves me befuddled with amazement. I’m not sure how to respond.
Dauphin said:
Do you really doubt that Pope Benedict would see the practice abolished in an instant if he had the power?
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Are you suggesting that the Pope DOES NOT have the power to effect such a change? C’mon…
 
Dauphin said:
I think that our behaviors properly dispose our souls to the appropriate reverence. If everyone started acting as if Christ isn’t on the altar, then belief in the real presence is bound to decline, no matter whether people initially had the conviction that He’s really there.
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Of course. Now what does that have to do with receiving in hand?
Dauphin said:
Communion on the hand isn’t the only factor, but it has helped a certain someone enormously to reduce faith in the real presence.
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Unproven speculation.
 
Daprato said:
Or you can be obedient to the Catholic Church’s documented instruction, rather than one’s own personal idea of piety and receive while standing.
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Kneeling down helps your soul to make an act of adoration, by placing you firmly in your proper place before God; not as an equal, but as an adorer.
 
Dauphin said:
Kneeling down helps your sould to make an act of adoration, by placing you firmly in your proper place before God; not as an equal, but as an adorer.
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Is that in the Bible or the CCC? I just follow the Catholic Church’s direction on the matter…
 
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