Receiving on the tongue

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Upon receiving and hearing the words “The Body of Christ” when is the best time to respond “Amen”? I find it rather rude to speak with my mouth full and find it even more troublesome to try and do so when consuming the Body of Christ! I’ve only seen two or three other parishioners receive on the tongue, so I feel like I have to make a to-do about my posture so the Priest/EM knows my hands are folded in prayer because I expect to receive on the tongue. There’s so little time to prep once you’re standing in front of the priest - I wish I could just say “I will receive on my tongue” hear “The Body of Christ” respond “Amen” and then receive. Somehow I don’t think this would be appropriate 😉

Any advice?

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They say body of Christ, I kneel, and say Amen- so, they know that I know, and it takes a while to bend down. 🙂
that’s my way, as a youth, in relative terms , who wasn’t around when the old ways existed. Personally, I want to respect with everything, if it’s already in the mouth, that defeats the question, they are asking if you acknowledge Christ before they risk giving Him out, so make them wait for you to say it is Christ, even motion for it- it is not for afterwards, as this defeats the purpose, and risks the Eucharist, through the opening of the mouth.
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Importance of Eucharistic reverence in respect/B]

“The usage of communion in the hand must be accompanied by relevant instruction or catechesis on Catholic teaching regarding Christ’s real and permanent presence under the eucharistic elements and the proper reverence toward this sacrament.”
ewtn.com/expert/answers/communion_in_hand.htm

]Adive for the use on tongue
"If you are going to receive on the tongue, you should keep certain things in mind. First, the head should be bent back slightly, and the head should be held erect, but kind of tilted back. The tongue should come out over the bottom teeth, equal with the bottom lip, so that the priest has someplace to put the Host. Sometimes people come up with their teeth clenched, and you wonder, “How am I going to get our Lord into that mouth?”

There are certain things that we priests talk about among ourselves (I’m telling the tricks of the trade now), comments we make about certain kinds of communicants. We say, “That one was a snapping turtle,” because he closes his mouth so quickly that the priest is afraid his fingers are going to be cut off by the teeth. You look down sometimes and wonder, “Has blood been drawn?” Many a time, I’ve had the scar of the teeth on my knuckles. There are also the plungers; they sort of leap forward. Or you have the toe dancers, who come up on their toes, and you never know where they’re going to light. Others receive on the run; they don’t stand squarely in front of you but they stand as if they can’t wait to get away. Come straight forward, face the priest, and don’t be too far away, because it’s awfully difficult at times to reach.

If you’re going to receive in the hand, the best way is to put one hand down and put the other hand on top of it and make, as Tertullian used to say, a kind of throne for the Lord. When the priest puts the Host on your hand, you say, “Amen.” Take a step or two to the side to make way for the next communicant, then receive our Lord. Communion should not be received on the run, as you’re walking back to your place; it should be consumed before you leave the area below the altar.**

[Edited]
catholic.com/thisrock/1997/9711fea4.asp
 
Here’s what I do: I keep my hands folded but my arms fairly straight, so my hands are held at hip-level rather than at waist-level. If you keep your hands lower and don’t bring them up to a position where you might be able to take the Host in your hands, they will know that you intend to receive on the tongue. There is no need to say anything to remind them. When the priest/EM says “The Body of Christ,” I say a quick “amen” and then open my mouth wide so it is very obvious that I wish to receive on the tongue. It won’t hurt for them to wait the extra two seconds it might take for you to say your “amen” and then open your mouth. I have never had any confusion doing it this way, even when I have visited parishes where I was the only one receiving on the tongue.

Besides, if you say “amen” with the Host already on your tongue, there is a risk that it might go flying out, and you don’t want that to happen!

God bless,
CarrieH
 
EmBee said:
Upon receiving and hearing the words “The Body of Christ” when is the best time to respond “Amen”? I find it rather rude to speak with my mouth full and find it even more troublesome to try and do so when consuming the Body of Christ! …–
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There is no reason to speak with anything in your mouth. After the priest says “The Body of Christ” you respond with “Amen” and then open your mouth and display your tongue to receive.
 
The EMHC’s at my parish think they have to stick their fingers in your mouth, they don’t even know what “receiving on the tongue” means. I sit where I will be in the priest’s line, and if he moves, I switch lines.
 
Thanks for the advice. I suppose I’m just paranoid that if I don’t start opening my mouth, they won’t realize that I’m going to receive on my tongue (there are a lot of people who come up in the Communion line with their arms crossed, so I’m afraid I’ll be given a blessing instead of Christ - but oh, that’s all being discussed on another thread!) … I’ll get better 🙂 I also think I’ll make a point to get in the Priest’s line from now on.

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I wish everyone made a bow before receiving and after the words “Body of Christ” would say AMEN. Say it like you mean it, mean it when you say it (Amen that is). Why are people afraid to say AMEN in church. If they can’t say it there where can you?

Sorry for my detour.
 
I keep my hands folded and when the priest says “The Body of Christ”, I will say “Amen” and then open my mouth.
 
If Father is confused, and tries to bless you, simply stay there with folded hands, then open your mouth. He’ll get it. 👍

Offer up any embarrassment you may feel for the reparation of sins, and remember Who it is you’re receiving- that should help put things into perspective.
 
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