Receiving Holy Communion in Latin Rite

[lizaanne]

This might be helpful to the discussion:

Communion in the Hand

~Liza

 

[PodunkMommy]

This might be helpful to the discussion:

Communion in the Hand

~Liza

Thank you so much for this video. I showed it to my daughter and today she actually received in the hand but not touching the Host. She consumed straight into her mouth like the video showed was the proper way in the old days.

Blessings.

 

[PodunkMommy]

I don’t mean proper way to receive Communion. I meant proper way to receive in the hand if you are going to receive in the hand.

 

[puzzleannie]

Thank you so much for this video. I showed it to my daughter and today she actually received in the hand but not touching the Host. She consumed straight into her mouth like the video showed was the proper way in the old days.

Blessings.

the proper way to receive communion in the hand is to make a throne by placing the left hand over the right and cupping the hands, raising them so the priest can reach you (hard for little children with a tall priest, like today for 1st communion). then pick up the host with the finger and thumb of the right hand and immediately put it in your mouth, before moving away. Your mouth should be closed before you step away, if you are going to also receive from the chalice you almost always have to chew a couple of times to break it and swallow before taking a sip, just enough to wet the lips, from the chalice. Take the cup from the minister, bring the chalice upright to your mouth, don’t tilt it toward your lips until you are ready to drink. The irreverence happens when people try to lift and tilt at the same time. There is no provision for raising the cupped and to the mouth and consuming that way, much less for “popping.” Do it right or receive on the tongue. Don’t make up your own rules and don’t teach your children to do that.

This btw is NOT a thread on the proper way to receive, both are licit, but specifically on whether to chew, and the answer is yes, if the consistency of the bread used for the host requires it.

 

[Little_One0307]

the proper way to receive communion in the hand is to make a throne by placing the left hand over the right and cupping the hands, raising them so the priest can reach you (hard for little children with a tall priest, like today for 1st communion). then pick up the host with the finger and thumb of the right hand and immediately put it in your mouth, before moving away. Your mouth should be closed before you step away, if you are going to also receive from the chalice you almost always have to chew a couple of times to break it and swallow before taking a sip, just enough to wet the lips, from the chalice. Take the cup from the minister, bring the chalice upright to your mouth, don’t tilt it toward your lips until you are ready to drink. The irreverence happens when people try to lift and tilt at the same time. There is no provision for raising the cupped and to the mouth and consuming that way, much less for “popping.” Do it right or receive on the tongue. Don’t make up your own rules and don’t teach your children to do that.

This btw is NOT a thread on the proper way to receive, both are licit, but specifically on whether to chew, and the answer is yes, if the consistency of the bread used for the host requires it.

Hi,

Got a question. If you are left handed do you do the same to receive Communion in your hand or do you switch out the throne hand?

 

[jmcrae]

Hi,

Got a question. If you are left handed do you do the same to receive Communion in your hand or do you switch out the throne hand?

I have often heard teachers tell children to put the “dominant” hand underneath, and use the dominant hand to convey the Host into the mouth. So, if one were left-handed, then yes, one could certainly switch the order of the hands.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi,

Got a question. If you are left handed do you do the same to receive Communion in your hand or do you switch out the throne hand?

if the child is left-handed just reverse, so the child picks up the host with the dominant hand.

 

[GwenL]

I taught a class of teenagers receiving First Holy Communion this year. I taught them to receive on the tongue. That is the norm for the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. I told them that the proper authorities in Rome had granted permission for Catholics in the United States to receive in the hand, but that the norm was on the tongue. I directed that they would receive the first time on the tongue. I advised them to talk with their parents, and to pray about it, and follow their parents’ guidance regarding method of reception after their First Holy Communion.

I discussed with them, briefly, the proper method to receive in the hand, should their parents allow it after First Holy Communion.

My pastor agreed with my teaching of the kids, and did me one better and directed that they receive kneeling for their First Holy Communion. They received before any other laypeople, including EMHCs, kneeling on the steps of the sanctuary. The priest went to each of them and distributed the Body, the deacon followed with the Precious Blood.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I taught a class of teenagers receiving First Holy Communion this year. I taught them to receive on the tongue. That is the norm for the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. I told them that the proper authorities in Rome had granted permission for Catholics in the United States to receive in the hand, but that the norm was on the tongue. I directed that they would receive the first time on the tongue. I advised them to talk with their parents, and to pray about it, and follow their parents’ guidance regarding method of reception after their First Holy Communion.

I discussed with them, briefly, the proper method to receive in the hand, should their parents allow it after First Holy Communion.

My pastor agreed with my teaching of the kids, and did me one better and directed that they receive kneeling for their First Holy Communion. They received before any other laypeople, including EMHCs, kneeling on the steps of the sanctuary. The priest went to each of them and distributed the Body, the deacon followed with the Precious Blood.

Very nice! Although I would suggest that for kids, its better if they receive via intinction. Just my 2 cents

 

[Little_One0307]

Very nice! Although I would suggest that for kids, its better if they receive via intinction. Just my 2 cents

I believe intinction is not licit in the Western Church. I think there may be a Canon that deals with it. So I am assuming the Eastern Rites allow intinction?

 

[MarkThompson]

I believe intinction is not licit in the Western Church. I think there may be a Canon that deals with it. So I am assuming the Eastern Rites allow intinction?

Intinction is licit, if done by the priest. Self-intinction is forbidden. Redemptionis Sacramentum says:
The norms of the Roman Missal admit the principle that in cases where Communion is administered under both kinds, “the Blood of the Lord may be received either by drinking from the chalice directly, or by intinction, or by means of a tube or a spoon”. (quoting GIRM no. 245)

 

[BertBlyleven]

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.

This is a very dangerous and false attitude to have.

 

[ClayPots47]

This might be helpful to the discussion:

Communion in the Hand

~Liza

I wish that the method shown for communion on the hand, that was used in the early Church,; was the method used today. It was also the method used in Franciscan communities, and some Franciscans have returned to this today. I have seen Anglicans also receive by this method in their churches. There are some other people doing this, and I have never seen a priest tell them not to. Then again, many people receiving in the hand, do not even follow the instructions correctly. They are to step to the side, after Jesus is placed in their hand, and pick up the Host and place it in their mouths, then return to their pew. All too many just shove Jesus in as they walk back to their pew without stopping. Receiving by the method in the video, would be harder to do while walking, you really do have to stop to raise cupped hands to your mouth, and pick up the Host from your hand with your tongue.

The tradition of reception in the hand, in the manner in which was shown in the video, was Franciscan tradition going back to 1209. Brother JReducation has mentioned this on this forum. I was introduced to this when in Franciscan community. Many Franciscans, as part of the call to return to the traditions of the Founder, are receiving this way. And not just in community with other Franciscans, but at regular parish Masses. I have adopted this method of reception, and not once have I been told I cannot, but those giving to me know that I am Franciscan. Which begs the question, are the instructions for how to receive in the hand simply a guide as to how one may receive? Or is that the only way one can receive in the hand? Ahhhhhhh… this might need to be a question asked of one of the forum apologists.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I believe intinction is not licit in the Western Church. I think there may be a Canon that deals with it. So I am assuming the Eastern Rites allow intinction?

Where did you hear that? Intinction is very much licit in the Latin Rite. Although only a priest may do it. Not a deacon, not an EMHC.

As Mark has pointed out, it is self-intinction that is not only illicit, its forbidden for the laity.

 

[At_Trent]

I like it when the priest leaves his mic on and everyone can hear him chew the Host

 

[Little_One0307]

Where did you hear that? Intinction is very much licit in the Latin Rite. Although only a priest may do it. Not a deacon, not an EMHC.

From a priest that I used to attend their parish, so I had always assumed. I am glad that I posted on the forum this question. Hence that is why I said I believe… Thanks to all you guys who have pointed me in the right way. I wanna line up with the Magesterium and not be in error.

Then I went to another parish and the Eucharistic Ministers were doing intinction, so I was confused. I never asked about it becuase I thought it would be a hot button issue, asking things in the forum is a good way for me 2 go.

God Bless.

 

[MissRose73]

I don’t remember if we were asked to receive on the tongue or the hand when I made my first Holy Communion in the early 1980’s.

I’ve seldom done the receiving by tongue, but I do see people at the churches I attend doing it, and they receive without issues even though the majority chose the hand.

 

[Joan_M]

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.

When I was trained to be an EMHC we were taught that we must make sure that everyone who received in the hand placed the Host in their mouth before turning away to return to their pew. This is because there have been cases of persons receiving with the evil intent of using the Host for satanic purposes.

Now, I’m sure from what you wrote that you do not have those purposes in mind! But the EMHC could not know that. It surprises me that no one stopped you.

 

[Love_Divine]

When I was trained to be an EMHC we were taught that we must make sure that everyone who received in the hand placed the Host in their mouth before turning away to return to their pew. This is because there have been cases of persons receiving with the evil intent of using the Host for satanic purposes.

Now, I’m sure from what you wrote that you do not have those purposes in mind! But the EMHC could not know that. It surprises me that no one stopped you.

I had a priest from Mexico where this was a problem. He gave a strongly worded homily on it. I have actually seen him yank people back to consume the host in front of him, or chase them back to their pew and make them consume the host. He was not one to mess around with the risk of profanation. Really nice priest, though as long as you don’t mess around with him or the Eucharist.

I have often heard teachers tell children to put the “dominant” hand underneath, and use the dominant hand to convey the Host into the mouth. So, if one were left-handed, then yes, one could certainly switch the order of the hands.

I’m left handed, and when I first started to receive communion, I used to do it this way (no one instructed us on which hand to use) and the priest took my hands and placed them the other way instructing me that it’s always left over right, and place host in mouth with right hand.

For the record, I switched over to COTT shortly before Lent started.

 

[jmcrae]

I had a priest from Mexico where this was a problem. He gave a strongly worded homily on it. I have actually seen him yank people back to consume the host in front of him, or chase them back to their pew and make them consume the host. He was not one to mess around with the risk of profanation. Really nice priest, though as long as you don’t mess around with him or the Eucharist.

We have a Filipino priest who does the same. I wish more priests would do that - I always feel like I have to be the big meanie, making people put the Host in their mouths, as they pass by me in the aisle with it still in their hands.

I’m left handed, and when I first started to receive communion, I used to do it this way (no one instructed us on which hand to use) and the priest took my hands and placed them the other way instructing me that it’s always left over right, and place host in mouth with right hand.

For the record, I switched over to COTT shortly before Lent started.

I don’t blame you.