Received on the tongue for the first time today

[Niccolo]

And just why is your TONGUE more worthy?

Why do you say that? The Priest communicates himself standing. We stand to receive the Word of God in the Holy Gospel.

And standing for Communion is the norm in Eastern Catholic Churches and always has been.

Perhaps Pope Benedict can better explain why, in general, kneeling is preferred when in the presence of our Lord:

The kneeling of Christians is not a form of inculturation into existing customs. It is quite the opposite, an expression of Christian culture, which transforms the existing culture through a new and deeper knowledge and experience of God.

Kneeling does not come from any culture – it comes from the Bible and its knowledge of God. The central importance of kneeling in the Bible can be seen in a very concrete way. The word proskynein alone occurs fifty-nine times in the New Testament, twenty-four of which are in the Apocalypse, the book of the heavenly Liturgy, which is presented to the Church as the standard for her own Liturgy.

…]

It may well be that kneeling is alien to modern culture – insofar as it is a culture, for this culture has turned away from the faith and no longer knows the one before whom kneeling is the right, indeed the intrinsically necessary gesture. The man who learns to believe learns also to kneel, and a faith or a liturgy no longer familiar with kneeling would be sick at the core. Where it has been lost, kneeling must be rediscovered, so that, in our prayer, we remain in fellowship with the apostles and martyrs, in fellowship with the whole cosmos, indeed in union with Jesus Christ Himself.

He has a whole section in The Spirit of the Liturgy on the “Theology of Kneeling.”

 

[roveau]

And just why is your TONGUE more worthy?

Why do you say that? The Priest communicates himself standing. We stand to receive the Word of God in the Holy Gospel.

And standing for Communion is the norm in Eastern Catholic Churches and always has been.

That’s the way it has been done for at least 1100 years and that’s the tradition I was brought up in - that’s why I like it that way. The host is going to reach my tongue anyway. My personal feeling is that my hand is unworthy to touch the Body of Christ.

We kneel as the host is being consecrated, so why not when we receive it? Again, it’s the tradition I and also my elders were brought up in.

 

[emhansen6019]

I grew up receiving on the hand. I don’t remember them even telling us that we could receive on the tongue when I was preparing for my First Communion (I may have just forgotten…that was a while ago!). I used to think that only old people and young people with kids received on the tongue. However, since coming to college and hanging out at our wonderful Newman Center, my habits have changed. One day just before daily Mass and throughout Mass, I had this urging to receive Jesus in the Eucharist on my tongue. I resisted the feeling for most of Mass, but the Lord had his way with me, and I’ve received the Eucharist on my tongue ever since!

 

[Sr_Sally]

I used to recieve on the hand exclusivley, as that was how I was taught, but I just had my first child and it is much easier to recieve on the tounge revently when holding a child. Of couse like a week after he was born and the first weekend I recieved on the tounge, swine flu broke out and the monsiegnor tried to forbid recieving on the tounge. (I think I am the only person (or one of a handful) who recieves on the tounge.) It was very frustrating. So the next weekend I received on the hand, I had to bring my hand to my face (as I was holding a sleeping child) After that I just recieved on the tounge.

Pax

Another reason why I love my parish. Our priests will not distribute communion to someone holding a child in any manner except on the tongue! The reason for that is that the person is not able to properly hold their hands (making a throne with one on top of the other) if they are using one hand to hold the baby. Also, it is more likely that the Host will fall or that the baby will grab/kick it if the parent only has it in the palm of one hand. Then also, as you stated, the person has to put their whole hand up to their face to receive as if they were licking something off their palm.

I have seen someone with a toddle in one arm try to ‘pick’ the Host out of the priests hand as he held it up. The priest spoke to her and she then received on the tongue.

 

[whm]

We have a new transitionaly deacon at our parish. He appears to be very reverant and traditional (St Louis’ seminary seems to produce 4-5 traditional priests a year:thumbsup. We have noticed that he says an extra prayer only for parishioners that receive on the tongue. Any ideas as to what he is saying? Doesn’t appear to be the “body of Christ…Amen” that is said for you at a ex. form mass.

 

[pnewton]

I received communion on the tongue yesterday for the first time in a while. I tore a hamstring and had to go to communion on a crutch. Since I only has one hand, I received on the tongue. The last time I did this was when I had to carry my son with me and my hands were full.

I would hope all here who receive in the hand would at least recognize that the tongue is the norm. If for any reason one is restricted in use of either hand, do not risk dropping the Holy Sacrament.

 

[paperwight]

We have a new transitionaly deacon at our parish. He appears to be very reverant and traditional (St Louis’ seminary seems to produce 4-5 traditional priests a year:thumbsup. We have noticed that he says an extra prayer only for parishioners that receive on the tongue. Any ideas as to what he is saying? Doesn’t appear to be the “body of Christ…Amen” that is said for you at a ex. form mass.

I very much hope you are mishearing/are mistaken.

Nobody has the right to alter, or add to, the words laid down, and certainly not to make a special case of those receiving on the tongue.

 

[pnewton]

I have read that the belief was that only a priest’s holy hands should touch the host, if anyone else touches it, it is no longer holy.

The host remains the Body of Jesus as long as the appearance of bread remains. Touching one’s hand or even the floor will not change that. Therefore, it remains holy and worthy of adoration at all times.

 

[whm]

I very much hope you are mishearing/are mistaken.

Nobody has the right to alter, or add to, the words laid down, and certainly not to make a special case of those receiving on the tongue.

If I ever get a chance (he is only at the parish to help on Sundays), I’ll ask him what he is saying. Best to know the facts then to speculate.

 

[paperwight]

If I ever get a chance (he is only at the parish to help on Sundays), I’ll ask him what he is saying. Best to know the facts then to speculate.

Excellent idea. I hope you get the opportunity. It would be very interesting to know.

 

[pnewton]

Have you ever seen your priest drop a host (I haven’t)?

Never. I have also never seen any crumbs. I have seen the Precious Blood spilled (a little). Twice. Each time everything stopped while a purification cloth was placed over it until after Mass.

I actually think such disruptions serve a valuable purpose as a visual demonstration of our belief in the reality the Real Presence.

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

Sorry for the looong post:

I’ve heard the tired arguments. I’ve been to the most reverent EF Mass and I’ve been to the most liberalized OF Mass.

The plain fact is: There is a direct correlation between the faithfuls’ reverence and respect during Mass and the manner in which they receive Holy Communion. Indeed, the more people who receive Communion on the tongue, the more reverent the faithful during Mass, and quite often, the more reverent the Mass itself.

But, you might say, there are exceptions! I know of this one church where everyone receives with their feet while doing handstands! And it’s sooo reverent!

Save it. One or two exceptions does not completely negate a rule.

It is an uncontested fact that reception of Communion on the tongue is eminently more reverent than receiving it on the hand. Why? Because, by receiving it on the tongue, you catch the tiny particles, which are also consecrated. Moreover, the priest’s hands (and EMOC’s hands, in a way) have been specially designated to distribute Communion. Yours have not.

Those of us who take Communion on the tongue generally possess more reverence toward the Blessed Sacrament because we understand what I wrote above.

But, you may complain, I take Communion in the hand and I have the utmost respect for the Blessed Sacrament!!

Do you? Maybe so, but I find it difficult to believe that someone who has such respect for the Blessed Sacrament could also find it acceptable to disregard the tiny particles that are bound to fall into your hands.

Someone is bound to call me uncharitable or say I’m judging, but to them I give a mighty eye roll The Pope is the primary Catholic priest. How does he demand the faithful receive Communion from him? I thought so. End of thread.

 

[maurin]

Sorry for the looong post:

I’ve heard the tired arguments. I’ve been to the most reverent EF Mass and I’ve been to the most liberalized OF Mass.

The plain fact is: There is a direct correlation between the faithfuls’ reverence and respect during Mass and the manner in which they receive Holy Communion. Indeed, the more people who receive Communion on the tongue, the more reverent the faithful during Mass, and quite often, the more reverent the Mass itself.

But, you might say, there are exceptions! I know of this one church where everyone receives with their feet while doing handstands! And it’s sooo reverent!

Save it. One or two exceptions does not completely negate a rule.

It is an uncontested fact that reception of Communion on the tongue is eminently more reverent than receiving it on the hand. Why? Because, by receiving it on the tongue, you catch the tiny particles, which are also consecrated. Moreover, the priest’s hands (and EMOC’s hands, in a way) have been specially designated to distribute Communion. Yours have not.

Those of us who take Communion on the tongue generally possess more reverence toward the Blessed Sacrament because we understand what I wrote above.

But, you may complain, I take Communion in the hand and I have the utmost respect for the Blessed Sacrament!!

Do you? Maybe so, but I find it difficult to believe that someone who has such respect for the Blessed Sacrament could also find it acceptable to disregard the tiny particles that are bound to fall into your hands.

Someone is bound to call me uncharitable or say I’m judging, but to them I give a mighty eye roll The Pope is the primary Catholic priest. How does he demand the faithful receive Communion from him? I thought so. End of thread.

(New suit for Mass, 400 dollars. New Missals for the kids, 375 dollars. New lace Mantilla for mom, 60 dollars. This post? priceless.)

 

[savienu]

Sorry for the looong post:

I’ve heard the tired arguments. I’ve been to the most reverent EF Mass and I’ve been to the most liberalized OF Mass.

The plain fact is: There is a direct correlation between the faithfuls’ reverence and respect during Mass and the manner in which they receive Holy Communion. Indeed, the more people who receive Communion on the tongue, the more reverent the faithful during Mass, and quite often, the more reverent the Mass itself.

But, you might say, there are exceptions! I know of this one church where everyone receives with their feet while doing handstands! And it’s sooo reverent!

Save it. One or two exceptions does not completely negate a rule.

It is an uncontested fact that reception of Communion on the tongue is eminently more reverent than receiving it on the hand. Why? Because, by receiving it on the tongue, you catch the tiny particles, which are also consecrated. Moreover, the priest’s hands (and EMOC’s hands, in a way) have been specially designated to distribute Communion. Yours have not.

Those of us who take Communion on the tongue generally possess more reverence toward the Blessed Sacrament because we understand what I wrote above.

But, you may complain, I take Communion in the hand and I have the utmost respect for the Blessed Sacrament!!

Do you? Maybe so, but I find it difficult to believe that someone who has such respect for the Blessed Sacrament could also find it acceptable to disregard the tiny particles that are bound to fall into your hands.

Someone is bound to call me uncharitable or say I’m judging, but to them I give a mighty eye roll The Pope is the primary Catholic priest. How does he demand the faithful receive Communion from him? I thought so. End of thread.

 

[pnewton]

Sorry for the looong post:

I’ve heard the tired arguments.

So why did you try to reboot the debate?

You say nothing new, but rather restate the same thing that has been said over and over, most of which you claim as fact, yet is unprovable and unproven. Those that agree with your post will like it. Those that do not will see the flaws for what they are. I do not think you are uncharitable or judgemental as much as opinionated, which is allowed.

 

[savienu]

So why did you try to reboot the debate?

You say nothing new, but rather restate the same thing that has been said over and over, most of which you claim as fact, yet is unprovable and unproven. Those that agree with your post will like it. Those that do not will see the flaws for what they are. I do not think you are uncharitable or judgemental as much as opinionated, which is allowed.

So…the Pope DOESN’T make those attending his Masses receive kneeling, on the tongue? If his point truly HASN’T been proven, you haven’t been paying attention.

 

[scout38]

I too began to receive on the tongue just a few weeks ago. It took a little courage and am not quite comfortable with it yet. I heard Fr. Groeschel say that he believed that respect for the Eucharist has decreased because of the reception in the hand. I thought that this is probably so and decided then that I would receive it on the tongue. I also watched a program with Sr. Noreen in which she said that after receiving Communion it is best to just be with the Lord without any set prayer for as long as is possible. The experience was wonderful. But now I notice that the loud music and the quick dismissal and the free and open chatting immediately after Mass interfere with this. I’m planning to wake up earlier and go to a very early Mass.

 

[damooster]

So…the Pope DOESN’T make those attending his Masses receive kneeling, on the tongue? If his point truly HASN’T been proven, you haven’t been paying attention.

Then why not just end Holy Communion in the hand altogether (he has the authority, doesn’t he?)? I receive on the tongue (now) but I do believe people can reverently receive Holy Communion in the hand.

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

So why did you try to reboot the debate?

You say nothing new, but rather restate the same thing that has been said over and over, most of which you claim as fact, yet is unprovable and unproven. Those that agree with your post will like it. Those that do not will see the flaws for what they are. I do not think you are uncharitable or judgemental as much as opinionated, which is allowed.

You can be the first to get the big eye-roll

 

[savienu]

Then why not just end Holy Communion in the hand altogether (he has the authority, doesn’t he?)? I receive on the tongue (now) but I do believe people can reverently receive Holy Communion in the hand.

He has spoken over and over again about the reverence and respect of kneeling and receiving on the tongue. He IS working on changing things, slowly. And, I might add, nobody paid attention to Pope Paul VI when he DIDN’T allow it, so what makes you think his removing permissions would change the way people receive? He is working with changing things. I trust in him, and trust that he will change thing, in time. Tolerating something , even allowing something, is not the same as saying that something is equal to the other “option” (which, by the way, is STILL the ordinary mean of reception, although you’d never know it looking at our churches today.)