Proper Exhortation/Response during Holy Communion

[angie62765]

Traditionally, whenever the priest (or the extraordinary minister) gives Holy Communion, he is supposed to say, “The Body of Christ”, as a reminder to the communicants who they are receiving. The proper response of each communicant should be “Amen”, to signify that he believes it is so.

I’ve heard reports from some of my co-parishioners that some extraordinary ministers do not say anything when they give communion; they just hold the host up. IN the same vein, some communicants don’t answer “Amen”; they just stand there with their hands held out or their mouths open.

What’s the official stand on this? Would it be right for me to remind the priest or extraordinary minister to say “The Body of Christ” if they don’t say it? Would it be right for the priest or extraordinary minister to remind the communicant to answer “Amen” before giving the host, if no response was given by the communicant himself?

I hope this post is understandable. I’d really like to know what you think, and if this is also happening in your parish.

Thanks and God bless you.

Angie

 

[kristie_m]

An interesting question. You know, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received communion and wondered on my way back to my seat if I’d responded with “Amen”. I get so focussed on what I’m doing that I’m not sure if I say anything at all. I know I’m saying it in my head, but whether it makes the trek to my vocal chords is a mystery to me, still. I’ve not had the nerve to ask my priest about it.

 

[diggerdomer]

Traditionally, whenever the priest (or the extraordinary minister) gives Holy Communion, he is supposed to say, “The Body of Christ”, as a reminder to the communicants who they are receiving. The proper response of each communicant should be “Amen”, to signify that he believes it is so.

I’ve heard reports from some of my co-parishioners that some extraordinary ministers do not say anything when they give communion; they just hold the host up. IN the same vein, some communicants don’t answer “Amen”; they just stand there with their hands held out or their mouths open.

What’s the official stand on this? Would it be right for me to remind the priest or extraordinary minister to say “The Body of Christ” if they don’t say it? Would it be right for the priest or extraordinary minister to remind the communicant to answer “Amen” before giving the host, if no response was given by the communicant himself?

I hope this post is understandable. I’d really like to know what you think, and if this is also happening in your parish.

Thanks and God bless you.

Angie

This is clearly prescribed by the Church. The minister of Communion should say “The Body of Christ” and the communicant should respond “Amen.” I don’t see there is any latitude for exceptions.

 

[joshua1]

I read somewhere, and I dont remember where, it was said that you answer for them? When you say “The Body of Christ” and they just stand there, just say amen very low and hand them the host. THis could be wrong, I dont know, but it does seem like something is left undone, which it is.

 

[Aramis]

For the Roman OF Missal, yes, the exhortation from the MHC is “The Body of Christ” and “The Blood of Christ” for which the response is Amen.

 

[Mel_Stones]

Those receiving not saying ‘amen’ happens at my parish as well. I’ve also known a couple people to reply ‘I believe’ instead of ‘amen’ . As an EMHC I don’t know what to do except give them the Host - it isn’t within an EM’s control to withhold the Eucharist.

This sort of question is what has me wondering if I should continue being an EMHC . . . I just don’t know what to do sometimes .

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I recall when the mass was changed, but before it went into English, the Priest said “Corpus Christi” and the recipient replied “Amen.”

There was a story that someone replied “Texas”, but I can’t affirm that it really happened.

 

[Aramis]

Mel: They may be traditionalists; they might be displaced easterners. In both cases, the norm is to say nothing, for the priest says the prayer over the communicant.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I read somewhere, and I dont remember where, it was said that you answer for them? When you say “The Body of Christ” and they just stand there, just say amen very low and hand them the host. THis could be wrong, I dont know, but it does seem like something is left undone, which it is.

One of our priests responds loudly for those who don’t say Amen. I think it’s his teaching tool to remind the folks in the procession behind them.

 

[Another_Mary]

I read somewhere, and I dont remember where, it was said that you answer for them? When you say “The Body of Christ” and they just stand there, just say amen very low and hand them the host. THis could be wrong, I dont know, but it does seem like something is left undone, which it is.

This is my understanding. At my EMHC training we were told that if the communicant did not respond “Amen” then we were to say it ourselves.

 

[rick43235]

I recall when the mass was changed, but before it went into English, the Priest said “Corpus Christi” and the recipient replied “Amen.”

There was a story that someone replied “Texas”, but I can’t affirm that it really happened.

I had to read that a couple of times before it sunk into my thick skull.