Receiving Holy Communion in the hand

[RandomGirl]

Basically what do you think about receiving communion in the hand instead of the mouth? Is it alright to receive it in the hand? I’ve heard it’s better to receive in the mouth.

 

[CatholicSpirit]

If you receive it by mouth, you are supposed to allow it to dissolve and it will be a skin-like substance by the time you swallow it.

The hand is acceptable, I was taught at my first communion to give a sign of the cross toward the alter afterwards.

 

[joeybaggz]

At the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, broke it, and gave it to his apostles …
I don’ t think they lined up at a communion rail and, kneeling, stuck out their tongues and received it only orally. They took bread and broke it in the early church. Receiving on the tongue is a measure of devotion that was extant for centuries as churches grew, but it was not the way it was done in the beginning.

If you want to receive on the tongue, by all means do. People who choose to receive in the hand are doing nothing that wasn’t done originally.

 

[angel12]

Is it alright to receive it in the hand?

If course it is. The Church wouldn’t allow it if it weren’t.

 

[Irishmom2]

OP, you might want to check the search feature while you wait for more posts to come in. (I just checked and I stopped counting when I hit 99 threads with Communion in the hand in the title. )

 

[Thom18]

The Church has said that it is acceptable, so it’s acceptable.

 

[Mattapoisett64]

Unlike the “nun theology” of the 1950’s, it is perfectly acceptable to let one’s teeth engage the host. There are Communion hosts in use today that would take minutes to dissolve. This is especially true if one happens to receive a large fragment of the priest’s host, which can happen; those just have to be chewed.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

@RandomGirl
In addition to this:

OP, you might want to check the search feature while you wait for more posts to come in. (I just checked and I stopped counting when I hit 99 threads with Communion in the hand in the title. )

I believe this is a banned topic on the forum, hand vs. tongue. I may be wrong, but let’s all pray that I’m right and end these infinite discussions of the topic.

 

[RandomGirl]

Oh it might be? Thank you for telling me. Should I delete this topic/post than?

 

[Mi_Rose]

Church says it is okay. That is all you need to know.

 

[mVitus]

There are Communion hosts in use today that would take minutes to dissolve.

For me, I personally let the host sit for a little bit prior to swallowing. And in my experience I haven’t yet come across one that would take minutes. (Unless I’m more patient than I realize.) Part if the may be that I also prefer to receive both species which speeds things up a bit, but I am curious if you’d have any pictures of the kind if host you’re thinking of.

(And just to make sure it’s clear: Letting the host dissolve is just my personal preference. I am in no way implying it is what others must/should do.)

 

[halogirl]

There is such a short walk from the Eucharistic minister to the chalice at my church there would be no time to let it dissolve on my tongue. Plus it’s ok as already mentioned. Do you know what though a couple of times when I’ve had received the precious blood I’ve seen a fragment of the Body of Christ in the bottom of the chalice and it has grossed me out a bit that it’s been in someone’s mouth. Anyone else have this?

 

[giuseppe96]

I personally think we should go back to receiving exclusively on the tongue as an outward sign of humility and dependence. This is my opinion, and not the current ruling of the Church.

 

[vsedriver]

either way is fine, both are equally acceptable. Neither is better than the other.

 

[vsedriver]

Do you know what though a couple of times when I’ve had received the precious blood I’ve seen a fragment of the Body of Christ in the bottom of the chalice and it has grossed me out a bit that it’s been in someone’s mouth. Anyone else have this?

if you watch the priest closely you will see that he adds a bit of the bread to the wine. So it probably never came from someone’s mouth.

 

[vsedriver]

I personally think we should go back to receiving exclusively on the tongue as an outward sign of humility and dependence.

I don’t see how this is an outward sign of humility and dependence.

 

[Irishmom2]

Everyone has one.

 

[halogirl]

Oh wow!! I did not know that ! Only got received into church at Easter this year thank you so much I feel a lot better about this xx

 

[halogirl]

I would appreciate knowing what you said x

 

[LilyM]

It was just a repeat of something that was already said up thread