Receiving Holy Communion in Latin Rite

[PodunkMommy]

I was taught that when I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I was not to “chew” on the Host, but rather, let the Host disipate in my mouth.

My daughter received her First Holy Communion and was taught to chew the Host since we are sharing in a Sacrificial Meal. While this did make sense to me, she also was told she could not receive on the tongue so I don’t know if all she was taught is correct.

Does anyone have any information regarding the proper way to receive as far as once you have the Host in your mouth?

I always learned that chomping on the Host was a sign of disrespect, but maybe I am thinking of chomping as in not graciously chewing.

Blessings,
Bethany

 

[MarkThompson]

I was taught that when I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I was not to “chew” on the Host, but rather, let the Host disipate in my mouth.

My daughter received her First Holy Communion and was taught to chew the Host since we are sharing in a Sacrificial Meal. While this did make sense to me, she also was told she could not receive on the tongue so I don’t know if all she was taught is correct.

Does anyone have any information regarding the proper way to receive as far as once you have the Host in your mouth?

I always learned that chomping on the Host was a sign of disrespect, but maybe I am thinking of chomping as in not graciously chewing.

Blessings,
Bethany

The Church has no teaching on the topic and certainly does not view chewing as disrespectful, although it used to be a pious practice in some places to let the host dissolve or at least soften to the point where it could be swallowed. Personally, I always chew.

Incidentally, in places like John 6:54, where Jesus says “Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.” (“ὁ τρώγων μου τὴν σάρκα καὶ πίνων μου τὸ αἷμα ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον, κἀγὼ ἀναστήσω αὐτὸν τῇ ἐσχάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ:”), the Greek word which is usually translated “eat,” trogein, literally means “gnaw,” “munch,” “chomp on.” It’s not a dainty “ingest.” He really said, “Gnaw on my flesh.”

 

[jwinch2]

I was taught that when I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I was not to “chew” on the Host, but rather, let the Host disipate in my mouth.

My daughter received her First Holy Communion and was taught to chew the Host since we are sharing in a Sacrificial Meal. While this did make sense to me, she also was told she could not receive on the tongue so I don’t know if all she was taught is correct.

Does anyone have any information regarding the proper way to receive as far as once you have the Host in your mouth?

I always learned that chomping on the Host was a sign of disrespect, but maybe I am thinking of chomping as in not graciously chewing.

Blessings,
Bethany

I believe she was taught incorrectly in terms of receiving on the tongue. It is my understanding that is the preferred method with receiving in the hand being viewed as an acceptable alternative. We were also taught not to chew but to let the Host dissolve to the point where it could be easily swallowed.

 

[504Katrin]

When I receive the Eucharist I keep Him in my hands and I don’t put the host in my mouth before I’m back in my pew where I kneel. I used to also put it in my mouth and walk back to my pew but I do not want to walk with Jesus in my mouth but want to kneel and enjoy the moment. Back in my pew I keep the host in my mouth as long as I can so I make sure that I swallow saliva right away before it makes bigger contact with the host. I stay in church kneeled as long as I have Him in my mouth which is long after mass is over and sometimes church is already completely empty and I still have Him in my mouth

 

[jmcrae]

When I receive the Eucharist I keep Him in my hands and I don’t put the host in my mouth before I’m back in my pew where I kneel.

This is very bad. You need to consume Jesus as soon as you receive Him - you should not be walking around with Him in your hands - some accident could occur (what if a little kid bumps into your legs?), and He could fall to the ground, and think how terrible you would feel, if that were to happen.

I used to also put it in my mouth and walk back to my pew but I do not want to walk with Jesus in my mouth but want to kneel and enjoy the moment.

What you want is not the point - I am surprised that no one has stopped you and told you to consume the Host before you take even one footstep, let alone making it all the way back to your pew without being caught.

 

[504Katrin]

This is very bad. You need to consume Jesus as soon as you receive Him - you should not be walking around with Him in your hands - some accident could occur (what if a little kid bumps into your legs?), and He could fall to the ground, and think how terrible you would feel, if that were to happen.

What you want is not the point - I am surprised that no one has stopped you and told you to consume the Host before you take even one footstep, let alone making it all the way back to your pew without being caught.

haven’t thought about that You’re right, and next time I will put Him in my mouth right away when I receive Him. I’m glad I posted this.

 

[Padraig1972]

It really hurts to read this thread. I recieved the holy communion at Latin mass for the first time this evening. Such a great experience.

 

[flower_lady]

Sorry, guess I am old fashioned, it to me is disrespectful to touch the host, I think receiving on the tongue is the way to go. To chew is fine. I prefer not to though. Just my opinion. God bless you all! Brenda

 

[jmcrae]

I was taught that when I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I was not to “chew” on the Host, but rather, let the Host disipate in my mouth.

This is a pious custom, and there is nothing wrong with it.

My daughter received her First Holy Communion and was taught to chew the Host since we are sharing in a Sacrificial Meal. While this did make sense to me, she also was told she could not receive on the tongue so I don’t know if all she was taught is correct.

It is okay to chew it, and it would not only be allowed, but it would be admirable to receive on the tongue.

Does anyone have any information regarding the proper way to receive as far as once you have the Host in your mouth?

Chewing or dissolving are both just fine. Obviously, one would not chew with one’s mouth open, not only because it would be disrespectful, but because particles could fall out.

 

[Padraig1972]

Sorry, guess I am old fashioned, it to me is disrespectful to touch the host, I think receiving on the tongue is the way to go. To chew is fine. I prefer not to though. Just my opinion. God bless you all! Brenda

I share your views here. In this thread as in many others i see-watch a liberal view that worries me out of concepts. People embrace liberalism as such a feelgood thing, while it is more sinister than most of us will fully come to understand.

 

[jmcrae]

I share your views here. In this thread as in many others i see-watch a liberal view that worries me out of concepts. People embrace liberalism as such a feelgood thing, while it is more sinister than most of us will fully come to understand.

Not sure where the “liberalism” comes into it - it was Jesus who said “Chew my body; drink my blood.”

 

[PodunkMommy]

Thank you for all your replies. I still prefer to let the Host dissolve and that is what I will continue to instruct my children to do. It also seems that you are able to savor the time with Jesus more that way as well.

I’m sad that my daughter was not allowed to receive her First Holy Communion on the tongue because now that she had practiced receiving in the hands she is afraid to receive on the tongue.

We used to go to a Byzantine Church monthly when we lived in town and of course if my children had been old enough to receive, they would have had but not choice to receive on the tongue. I have longed to go back to the Byzantine Church because it has been many years, since before my oldest had made his First Holy Communion. Maybe we shall make a vist there this summer.

Blessings.

 

[Te_Deum]

I hope this doesn’t sound disrespectful but if I am in charge of carrying the communion plate at the altar rail I’ll chew to consume Our Lord quickly so that I am not walking around with Him in my mouth.

However if I am not on the communion plate or if I am just another layman in the pews I generally let the Host “dissolve” and swallow “whole”.

 

[PodunkMommy]

I hope this doesn’t sound disrespectful but if I am in charge of carrying the communion plate at the altar rail I’ll chew to consume Our Lord quickly so that I am not walking around with Him in my mouth.

However if I am not on the communion plate or if I am just another layman in the pews I generally let the Host “dissolve” and swallow “whole”.

I never thought about it that way. Right now I am just looking at it from a layman’s point of view. I want to be sure I instruct my children in the most reverent way to receive Jesus.

 

[Padraig1972]

Not sure where the “liberalism” comes into it - it was Jesus who said “Chew my body; drink my blood.”

I aknowledge that. It is just that all the traditions seems to be fading away today. It is more important to be correct and in the now rather than sticking to the good old, taditional values that makes the church such a treasure.

 

[Little_One0307]

Hi,

Actually you can receive Communion on the tongue. You can recieve it either in your hand or on your tongue. I would go ahead and let your daughter receive it on the tongue. Talk with the priest of the parish is this is an issue. Usually they are supportive of things like this, and he cannot refuse your daughter becuase she wants to take Communion on the tongue if she wishes.

And I do not like to “chew” Jesus, however when I am cantoring or leading music then it I try to do it in a most respectful way by chewing the least amount possible. I most of the time will let it dissolve on my tongue.

Little One0307

 

[jmcrae]

I aknowledge that. It is just that all the traditions seems to be fading away today. It is more important to be correct and in the now rather than sticking to the good old, taditional values that makes the church such a treasure.

Jesus also told us that our Church would be a house full of both old treasures and new treasures.

I can sympathize pining for the old days, but keep in mind that everything they had back then was “new” at some point, too.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Sorry, guess I am old fashioned, it to me is disrespectful to touch the host, I think receiving on the tongue is the way to go. To chew is fine. I prefer not to though. Just my opinion. God bless you all! Brenda

It can not be disrespectful because the Church allows for it.

Something that is disrespectful towards God would be an evil and the Church can not allow an evil.

 

[puzzleannie]

I believe she was taught incorrectly in terms of receiving on the tongue. It is my understanding that is the preferred method with receiving in the hand being viewed as an acceptable alternative. We were also taught not to chew but to let the Host dissolve to the point where it could be easily swallowed.

she cannot be forbidden to receive on the tongue and should be taught both ways, unless the pastor has specifically instructed otherwise for pastoral reasons. Even then, were I the parent, I would question him about it. That has nothing to do with chewing. In our youth the hosts were commonly white flour and much thinner than the whole wheat hosts many parishes use today, and they were also smaller, It is much harder if not impossible for youngsters (let alone us old folk) to dissolve, chewing is usually a must. “My body is real food, My blood is real drink,” says the Lord. Eat. Chew. Swallow. Drink.

 

[crissee63]

When my sons (twins) made their First Communion, they were instructed to recieve the Body of Christ in their hands and place Him in their mouth. I do not know where they came up with this idea that any man or woman can handle the Body of Christ. It used to be only the Priest or Deacon, and we would take the eucharist on our tongues and let it dessolve. It seems that everyone is in a hurry these days, and the most important part of the mass has to be faster. So they have deligated 12 people (in the Church I go to) to hand out the Body of Christ in our hands. I think they should go back to the old way - it seems more proper.