Receiving Communion

  • Thread starter Thread starter BLUEMOON74
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

BLUEMOON74

Guest
I was taught as a child and henceforth have always received communion in my hand with the left hand over the right hand. Is that a bad thing? I understand why many people receive it on their tongue… my dad does; I just can’t seem to get past this however. For some reason I feel wierd doing that. I did it before, and I just feel like I look stupid sticking my tongue out or opening my mouth like a baby bird, and then, do I look at the priest or Jesus on the cross behind him when he does place it on the tongue? I keep thinking of all the germs in people’s mouths’ even though the same hand touches my communion anyway. I do not want to do anything against my faith, but it makes me uncomfortable not receiving the Eucharist in my hand. I am kind of a nervene person anyway, so maybe that is it? Can someone tell me if I am wrong or if it’s just a personal choice. I was always told it was a personal choice, so I don’t know:shrug: what to think. Thanks for any replies.
 
It’s normal, most people being righthanded and desirous of using the right hand to transfer the Eucharist to their mouths, to have the left hand on top. But somehow I dont think that was really your question.

As long as your diocese has the indult that permits you to receive Communion in the hand, you have every right to do so and don’t need to justify your doing so to any other person.

Just make sure to check your hands for any visible crumbs and make sure they go in the mouth too (lick the tip of one finger to pick them up and put them into your mouth).
 
By law, one may receive communion either standing or kneeling, in the hand or on the tongue (so four possible combinations there…but you don’t really see many people kneel and receive in the hand).

However, receiving kneeling and on the tonge is the traditional posture, and the other styles were allowed only since Vatican II (so less than 50 years of it). Many Church fathers actually had a lot of negative things to say about receiving communion on the hand.

One thing to remember is that, according to the Church’s definition, the act of “receiving” or “taking” communion is an ORAL act. That means that when you “receive communion” in the hand, you aren’t really receiving communion at all, you are actually taking the Lord’s Body in your own hands and giving communion to yourself, something only the celebrating priest did before the changes.

I was taught in the same manner you were; i have now changed my ways some.
 
You are perfectly free to receive the Host onto your hand. I do receive onto my hand occasionally.

However, I would offer the idea that some of the very things that you wrote in your message are some of the very reasons that I would give to promote receiving onto the tongue.

Feeling like a baby bird: what a wonderful image. We are so utterly dependent upon Him to feed us. Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that issues forth from the mouth of God. We open ourselves to Him even as we open our mouths to Him.

Who to look at? I suggest looking at the Host with love, or alternately, closing your eyes.

---- Interestingly, many of the reasons that are often given for Communion on the Tongue I find to be unpersuasive.

For example, people will speak of the priests’ anointed hands. Fine, but has my tongue been so anointed? Is my tongue more suitable than my hand? I don’t see it.

But to humble oneself by receiving Our Lord like a helpless baby bird… sublime!

(Just my two cents’ worth!)

Regards,
Joe
 
The Church Fathers taught that receiving on the hand was permitted during times of persecution; the preferable posture being on the tongue. As early as the 100’s a Pope whose name escapes me forbade laity from touching the sacred objects used in Mass, let alone the Host!
 
As well, although receiving on the hand is licit, that does not mean it is prudent; one can in full conscience disagree with an indult of the Church.
 
JuanCarlos said:
As well, although receiving on the hand is licit, that does not mean it is prudent; one can in full conscience disagree with an indult of the Church.
Click to expand...
One can always, with a clear conscience, obey the indult of the Church in this instance. Every rite the Church proposes (including rites to do with the Mass) is, as the Canons of Trent say, an ‘office of piety’, it is only abuses that are impious, and following an indult is never an abuse 🤷
 
I didn’t call it an abuse; on the contrary I called it licit. However I believe communion in the hand is imprudent and should be discontinued as soon as possible. The archdiocese of Peru has already banned communion in the hand on the grounds of imprudence.
 
BLUEMOON74 said:
I was taught as a child and henceforth have always received communion in my hand with the left hand over the right hand. Is that a bad thing? I understand why many people receive it on their tongue… my dad does; I just can’t seem to get past this however. For some reason I feel wierd doing that. I did it before, and I just feel like I look stupid sticking my tongue out or opening my mouth like a baby bird, and then, do I look at the priest or Jesus on the cross behind him when he does place it on the tongue? I keep thinking of all the germs in people’s mouths’ even though the same hand touches my communion anyway. I do not want to do anything against my faith, but it makes me uncomfortable not receiving the Eucharist in my hand. I am kind of a nervene person anyway, so maybe that is it? Can someone tell me if I am wrong or if it’s just a personal choice. I was always told it was a personal choice, so I don’t know:shrug: what to think. Thanks for any replies.
Click to expand...
You can receive is either way. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Whether on the tongue given or in the hand, you are still receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. 👍
 
Thank you for all of your responses. I felt a bit guilty for my post as if perhaps my reasonings were immature. I have had some priests look at me strangely or with disapproval and some seemed perfectly fine with my hands. I have always received the Body of Christ like this and thought it was accepted practice until I noticed others receiving on the tongue and reading certain literature. I see about a 50-50 mix of people in every Cathedral I have been in either receiving on the tongue or in their hands, so I was never sure which would be correct or if things were fine the way I have always received the Eucharist. I think maybe my fear is that I feel so vulnerable and strange with my mouth open like that…so I have always felt more comfortable with it being placed in my hand. For some reason I feel bad about that.😊
 
Also, is it normal after receiving the Eucharist say Amen, then step to the side and slightly genuflect and make the sign of the cross (toward Jesus on the Cross) and/or partake in the wine and then walk off? I see some people do this and some just say Amen walk to the side make the sign of the cross and walk off, and some don’t do it at all; they either walk off or go straight to the wine and then walk off.

Which one is the most accepted practice? After 33 years of Catholicism, I am now confused. Thanks for any answers.
 
BLUEMOON74 said:
Also, is it normal after receiving the Eucharist say Amen, then step to the side and slightly genuflect and make the sign of the cross (toward Jesus on the Cross) and/or partake in the wine and then walk off? I see some people do this and some just say Amen walk to the side make the sign of the cross and walk off, and some don’t do it at all; they either walk off or go straight to the wine and then walk off.

Which one is the most accepted practice? After 33 years of Catholicism, I am now confused. Thanks for any answers.
Click to expand...
To your OP, I just want to say that I have never seen a priest or EMHC who touches the person’s mouth when they distribute the Host. They hold one edge and place the other edge on your tongue, and it sticks. They don’t get germs all over them = )

The proper way to receive is:
-Approach the minister
-Minister says ‘The Body of Christ’(or Blood)
-Make a sign of reverence(Depending on your preference/mode of receiving, either a head bow, profound bow, genuflection, or just kneel)
-Say ‘Amen’
-Receive on the tongue/hand
-If on the hand, take one step to the side, stop, still facing forwards, reverently consume the Host, then return to your pew.
  • If you pass by the Chalice with the Precious Blood, genuflect! We genuflect to the tabernacle and the exposed Host, and yet the Precious Blood is just as much Christ as the Host! =) If you receive the Blood, do it in the manner as above.
You can make the sign of the cross after you receive but it isn’t necessary. It’s an extra devotion(that I do, and many others, but whatever you want).
 
I always, even as a child, felt uncomfortable touching the host and always wanted to receive on the tongue, but never had the courage to until I was 19 years old. A friend of mine who is a TLM server taught me how, took me to my first TLM, etc. Now, I would fell too uncomfortable to do things any other way, even when I attend a Novus Ordo.

I love the baby bird image that the OP discribed. Personally, I’m an independant person in many aspects of life…one who wants to do things my own way, etc. I’m not one to take help easily. So, receiving on the tongue is an exercise in humility for me.
 
belgianwaffles9 said:
By law, one may receive communion either standing or kneeling, in the hand or on the tongue (so four possible combinations there…but you don’t really see many people kneel and receive in the hand).

However, receiving kneeling and on the tonge is the traditional posture, and the other styles were allowed only since Vatican II (so less than 50 years of it). Many Church fathers actually had a lot of negative things to say about receiving communion on the hand.

One thing to remember is that, according to the Church’s definition, the act of “receiving” or “taking” communion is an ORAL act. That means that when you “receive communion” in the hand, you aren’t really receiving communion at all, you are actually taking the Lord’s Body in your own hands and giving communion to yourself, something only the celebrating priest did before the changes.
I was taught in the same manner you were; i have now changed my ways some.
Click to expand...
Lovely.

And no one is going to challenge this?

Just dandy.

There are times I wonder if I’m doing ANYTHING “right” as a Catholic.

Thanks so much, belgianwaffles9. And you are…? The Pope? A Bishop? A priest? Anyone who has a right to spread this teaching?
 
At our Extraordinary Masses, we do not follow up with an “Amen”.
(🙂 a dead give away that you’re a visitor, which is a good thing!)

I was told the “Amen” reply is strictly “Novus Ordo”.
 
Cat said:
Lovely.

And no one is going to challenge this?

Just dandy.

There are times I wonder if I’m doing ANYTHING “right” as a Catholic.

Thanks so much, belgianwaffles9. And you are…? The Pope? A Bishop? A priest? Anyone who has a right to spread this teaching?
Click to expand...
Why challange…

notice that when there are concelebrants, they (priests) take the host and gives himself communion.

notice that when there is a deacon (not a concelebrant) he receives the host from the priest most (I admit some do not follow this action) directly on the tongue.
 
Cat said:
Lovely.

And no one is going to challenge this?

Just dandy.

There are times I wonder if I’m doing ANYTHING “right” as a Catholic.

Thanks so much, belgianwaffles9. And you are…? The Pope? A Bishop? A priest? Anyone who has a right to spread this teaching?
Click to expand...
LOL OH SNAP! (“BREAKS INTO SONG”–LOVE IS IN THE AIR DA DA DA):dancing: DISCO FEVER.

OK SERIOUSLY, I AM REALLY GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL. I GET SO CONFUSED BC I HEAR ITS OK, AND SOME SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT, AND NOW I WILL GO BACK TO DANCING TO EASE THE BRAIN FREEZE AS I AWAIT TO HEAR MORE FROM YOU ALL, THANKS AGAIN!. :irish3:
 
Cat said:
Lovely.

And no one is going to challenge this?

Just dandy.

There are times I wonder if I’m doing ANYTHING “right” as a Catholic.

Thanks so much, belgianwaffles9. And you are…? The Pope? A Bishop? A priest? Anyone who has a right to spread this teaching?
Click to expand...
‘Challenge’ me? Its true! If you disagree, disprove me!
See, I don’t think you can… i noticed that YOU didn’t try to challenge me, you ducked out the easy way and asked someone else to do your dirty work for you.

I am no cleric, but I’m a pretty darned-well educated layman. Seems like some others are not…
BLUEMOON74 said:
Thank you for all of your responses. I felt a bit guilty for my post as if perhaps my reasonings were immature. I have had some priests look at me strangely or with disapproval and some seemed perfectly fine with my hands. I have always received the Body of Christ like this and thought it was accepted practice until I noticed others receiving on the tongue and reading certain literature. I see about a 50-50 mix of people in every Cathedral I have been in either receiving on the tongue or in their hands, so I was never sure which would be correct or if things were fine the way I have always received the Eucharist. I think maybe my fear is that I feel so vulnerable and strange with my mouth open like that…so I have always felt more comfortable with it being placed in my hand. For some reason I feel bad about that.😊
Click to expand...
You know, both sides could debate this till we all dropped dead. The bottom line is that (for now) both ways of receiving are licit. I would prefer communion standing and in the hand to be abolished as soon as possible, but so long as it is legal, then I won’t blame them for doing so.

For someone like you, curious about the ‘proper’ way, I can only give one peice of advice: though you are used to receiving in the hand, make a commitment to receive on the tongue at your next few masses. That way, you will have the experience of doing both, and you can decide which you feel comfortable.

I say commit to receiving on the tongue at your next few masses because, as i distinctly remember, the first time can feel a bit akward. I didn’t know exactly what to do, but trust the priest: they have been trained to give communion, and know exactly what to do even if you dont. Just open your mouth wide, and stick your tongue out enough for the host to stick. The priest will take care of the rest. The first two or three times i did this i felt scared and nervous, but now it is second nature.

Good luck!
 
muffinmojo said:
To your OP, I just want to say that I have never seen a priest or EMHC who touches the person’s mouth when they distribute the Host. They hold one edge and place the other edge on your tongue, and it sticks. They don’t get germs all over them = )

The proper way to receive is:
-Approach the minister
-Minister says ‘The Body of Christ’(or Blood)
-Make a sign of reverence(Depending on your preference/mode of receiving, either a head bow, profound bow, genuflection, or just kneel)
-Say ‘Amen’
-Receive on the tongue/hand
-If on the hand, take one step to the side, stop, still facing forwards, reverently consume the Host, then return to your pew.
  • If you pass by the Chalice with the Precious Blood, genuflect! We genuflect to the tabernacle and the exposed Host, and yet the Precious Blood is just as much Christ as the Host! =) If you receive the Blood, do it in the manner as above.
You can make the sign of the cross after you receive but it isn’t necessary. It’s an extra devotion(that I do, and many others, but whatever you want).
Click to expand...
Not recommended. Most do not do this and some person behind you not expecting a genuflection can stumble over you and possibly be injured. Having received Jesus whole and entire in the host only moments before, he is still inside you. This genuflection to the cup is not part of the protocol. Throwing in extra stuff to show how particularly reverent one feels is not prudent at all.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top