Receiving on the tongue in my parish

[la_petit_fleur]

I prefer to receive on the tongue, and in fact have never received in the hand. In my parish on Sundays reception on the tongue is allowed. Those wishing to receive in this manner line up last after everyone else has been served. With the pandemic going on, to me this seems risky, so even though I prefer to receive on the tongue I have simply refrained from receiving.

Yesterday I went to morning mass and decided I really didn’t want to wait to receive any more. With the current spike in cases, who knows when it will be safe again. Thinking that the safest way to receive is in the hand, I got in line with everyone else. To my surprise, at daily mass everyone is receiving on the tongue and in the hand with no separation. In other words, just like a normal mass, so that people who want to receive on the tongue are doing so from wherever they are in the line.

Wow, this seems really risky to me. I don’t want to complain, because I know priests are constantly dealing with complaints, plus we just got a new priest this week, so I know he has enough on his plate. I plan on going to mass again this morning, as is my Friday custom, but I guess I won’t receive since I don’t feel it is safe. I suppose I could sit in the front so I’m served first, but that doesn’t seem very charitable, somehow. Although I may do it today, and try it out. What do you think?

 

[1ke]

What is it that you believe to be “risky”?

 

[dscath]

Not receiving at all, when there is a method you deem less risky, or because you are only used to receiving in one approved method, when both hand and tongue are authorized, is like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

In our diocese for the time being communion is by received by the hand only, and the precious blood is not distributed at all. I wouldn’t dream of not receiving, simply because I am used to receiving on the tongue.

But, that’s your choice. You are not required to receive except once during the Easter season each year.

 

[la_petit_fleur]

When people receive on the tongue the priest’s hand is likely to be licked. If someone has covid19, but is asymptomatic, everyone who receives after that person will be exposed, and given how contagious it is, will probably contract it themselves.

 

[la_petit_fleur]

Not receiving at all, when there is a method you deem less risky, or because you are only used to receiving in one approved method, when both hand and tongue are authorized, is like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Yes, this is why I decided to receive. But I guess I will either abstain on Fridays, or sit toward the front.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

In my parish, if there is any actual contact between the priest’s hand and the mouth of the person receiving on the tongue, the priest will step aside and use hand sanitizer before the next communicant approaches him.

 

[c4csp]

Sounds like you have some good priests. Many parishes have banned communion on tongue right now. You know when priests are finding ways to accommodate the faithful and still let them receive on tongue is a sign of good holy priests.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

There is also a kneeler next to the priest for those who prefer to receive while kneeling. I believe that receiving on the tongue while kneeling was supposed to pose less risk of hand/mouth contact.

 

[1ke]

When people receive on the tongue the priest’s hand is likely to be licked. If someone has covid19, but is asymptomatic, everyone who receives after that person will be exposed, and given how contagious it is, will probably contract it themselves.

Then receive in the hand.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Your Bishop has rules for his Diocese in place. You can find these on your Diocese website.

Beyond that, you decide if you choose to recieve, you weigh the risk for yourself

 

[dochawk]

our byzantine parish (and I believe the whole Eparchy) has temporarily replaced the priest dropping the Eucharist from the cup with a spoon (typically one or two crouton-sized pieces bringing the Blood with them) with Father dipping each bit of bread in wine (or maybe he uses a dropper, I didn’t ask), and placing in its own cupcake doily in a tray ahead of time.

At communion time, we approach, and it (It?) can simply slide off into our mouth, and we drop the soiling in the waiting bag, and Father burns them later.

Unfortunately, he was exposed to another infected priest covering Masses for the local RC diocese, and the parish is locked down for a couple of weeks. Please pray for Fr. Marcus.

 

[babochka]

our byzantine parish (and I believe the whole Eparchy)

Definitely not the whole Eparchy. We still receive from a common spoon, in the usual manner. We have a number of extra spoons in case of contact.

Our next problem is that our governor has banned all singing and chanting in church, as of last Thursday. Father is still not sure what we’re going to do.

 

[Rau]

To my surprise, at daily mass everyone is receiving on the tongue and in the hand with no separation. In other words, just like a normal mass, so that people who want to receive on the tongue are doing so from wherever they are in the line.

Wow, this seems really risky to me.

If communion on the tongue does create extra risks for subsequent communicants, then this applies regardless of how the communion line is “ordered”.

 

[Rau]

FYI - we have congregants sanitize as they enter church.

I find a couple of things extraordinary about the process you describe: First, that for sake of a rule which offers a preference to those receiving, such tedious measures are adopted. And second, for the sake of securing what is a preference, those receiving would put the ministers to such a burden.

Hopefully the Church will see the sense in amending the rule to accommodate exceptional circumstances.

 

[LisaB]

I suppose I could sit in the front so I’m served first, but that doesn’t seem very charitable, somehow. Although I may do it today, and try it out. What do you think?

There is nothing at all uncharitable about sitting up front. What do you think makes it uncharitable?

In the Latin Mass I attend there is no such thing as communion in the hand, and we all receive on the tongue like normal. Yes, sometimes the priest’s fingers make contact with someone’s mouth. There is a risk, I will admit. To me the risk is worth it. But I always like to sit up front, virus or no virus. I feel more comfortable that way.

 

[Rau]

Yes, sometimes the priest’s fingers make contact with someone’s mouth. There is a risk, I will admit. To me the risk is worth it.

Keep in mind it is not only you who bear the risk of unavoidable contagion. By our actions, we can each increase or decrease the risk to others.

 

[dochawk]

Definitely not the whole Eparchy. We still receive from a common spoon, in the usual manner. We have a number of extra spoons in case of contact.

I’m having trouble keeping things straight. I was thinking that you were UCC. I’m in the nee-ruthenian Eparchy of Phoenix.

Initially, instructions went out for the spoon, including sanitizing after any contact, etc, as well as a lecture about not closing your mouth on it. We have, err, several, so one of us holding the cloth would probably have kept a few in one hand, and the others the used ones (and if needed, someone else sanitizing).

But once we actually opened, we did this again. Saturday inside, but Sunday started outside for the greater capacity (but gave into heat last week and moved inside. A couple more people and we’d be turning them away).
.

And now we’re closed

 

[babochka]

I’m having trouble keeping things straight. I was thinking that you were UCC. I’m in the nee -ruthenian Eparchy of Phoenix.

Just like I can never remember which of the Las Vegas parishes you are in. Although your mention of your priest’s name reminded me.

We’re in the same eparchy. Bishop John is coming out for an ordination in a couple of weeks.

Initially, instructions went out for the spoon, including sanitizing after any contact, etc, as well as a lecture about not closing your mouth on it. We have, err, several, so one of us holding the cloth would probably have kept a few in one hand, and the others the used ones (and if needed, someone else sanitizing).

I know of at least one parish that has acquired 50 spoons and uses a new one for each communicant. We got the lecture. We have a lot of little kids and big families and our priest asked us to let the older and single people go first, since the little ones are more likely to make contact. Our priest is extraordinary talented in giving communion without making contact.

But once we actually opened, we did this again. Saturday inside, but Sunday started outside for the greater capacity (but gave into heat last week and moved inside. A couple more people and we’d be turning them away).

We temporatily added a 2nd Liturgy. We opened before the Latins, and with fewer restrictions, so we’ve been having a lot of visitors. I wish that we could move outside, but it is not practical in our location.

And now we’re closed

Prayers for Father Marcus.

 

[Newhills]

When people receive on the tongue the priest’s hand is likely to be licked.

I don’t think this is true. I have never licked the priest’s hand while receiving.

Of the initial question was “what do you think” about sitting in the front row then I can’t see how that is uncharitable. It seems that in most parishes that I see, the front row is rarely used so you’re not taking it from somebody else.

If the “what do you think” was about receiving or not receiving - it’s really only a choice that you can make. I’m currently receiving in the hand which I struggle with, but I would prefer to receive than not to receive and I think that God understands.

 

[babochka]

We use spoons because Holy Communion is given under both species at once, mixed in a chalice. The priest drops it from the spoon into the person’s mouth. It would be rather messy otherwise. I don’t know how long spoons have been used, but it is definitely more than a few centuries old. Always is a long time, so I wouldn’t claim that. The Melkites don’t use a spoon. I’ve never been able to get a definite answer as to when it was abandoned, but I’ve heard that it might have been during a similar health crisis. I would be sad to see the spoon go.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)