Receiving on the tongue

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pappmary:
Receiving the Eucharist on the tongue, not handling The Lord like he isn’t REAL is how one who truely understands the great gift we have,will always be cognisent of how one receives. It is unfortunate that the Bishops of the United States have been lax with insistance on properly receiving Jesus.Also swollowing the Eucharist so it goes directly to our soul and not chewing it or making it melt in our mouth. That is where our connection is made. It is food for our SOUL. We must always remember.
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Hm. My Gospels say that Christ said “Take and Eat”, not “Take and Swallow”. Eating is normally understood to incude chewing.
 
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Lux_et_veritas:
To kneel is an act of humility. To receive the Body of Christ while kneeling is an act of humility. To allow someone else, the priest, to place the Body of Christ on your tongue, is an act of humility.

If anyone who has never received on the tongue, while kneeling, I would encourage you to visit a traditional parish in your area where Holy Communion is distributed this way and tell me that it doesn’t feel “beneath you” the first time.

This was my experience, but that soon changed as humility replaced the pride.
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It is also a sign of humility to fllow directions that run contrary to one’s feelings, but are considered the norm or the lawful direction of the bishop.

And I started receiving Communion at an altar rail when reception on the tongue was the norm, so I am well aware of both.
 
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Lux_et_veritas:
To kneel is an act of humility. To receive the Body of Christ while kneeling is an act of humility. To allow someone else, the priest, to place the Body of Christ on your tongue, is an act of humility.
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These are simply your personal opinions. Every sentence should be prefaced by “I feel”. You’ve not convinced me of anything.

When the norm for receiving in the US is to stand, I question the “humility” of denying that lawful request.
 
I’m a bit nervous about jumping into this debate, but I wanted to share why I receive in the hand. Please be gentle with me; I’m pretty new to the controversy and I might inadvertently offend someone through my ignorance.
I was never taught how to receive on the tongue, so my only instruction in this area has been watching other people who do receive on the tongue (also these forums, of course). A few months ago, I decided to start receiving the Eucharist on the tongue as a sign of reverence. I did this every day for over a month. I found it to be difficult because I have a problem that prevents my mouth from opening all the way, so it was hard for me to say amen, open my mouth, and stick my tongue out before the priest placed the Host on my tongue. I felt like I couldn’t get my tongue out far enough to make it easy for him because my jaw didn’t even open wide enough to make that a natural movement for me. I tried to continue receiving on the tongue, but I eventually realized that when I received on the tongue, my focus was always on myself–“will I be doing this properly, will I be holding up the line, I wish my jaw weren’t messed up, etc.” I started receiving in the hand again because when I don’t have the nervousness about my jaw not opening or not “doing it right,” my focus is more on Jesus. If I focus on myself, it’s on how I can better love Him.
Admittedly, my jaw problem probably isn’t most people’s motivation for receiving in the hand. I also freely admit that I probably made a bigger deal out of ‘doing it right’ than I should have. Personally, though, it seems to keep my focus on Christ present in the Eucharist when I’m more worried about my spiritual readiness to receive Him than my physical readiness.
 
Grace and Glory:
I’m a bit nervous about jumping into this debate, but I wanted to share why I receive in the hand. Please be gentle with me; I’m pretty new to the controversy and I might inadvertently offend someone through my ignorance.
I was never taught how to receive on the tongue, so my only instruction in this area has been watching other people who do receive on the tongue (also these forums, of course). A few months ago, I decided to start receiving the Eucharist on the tongue as a sign of reverence. I did this every day for over a month. I found it to be difficult because I have a problem that prevents my mouth from opening all the way, so it was hard for me to say amen, open my mouth, and stick my tongue out before the priest placed the Host on my tongue. I felt like I couldn’t get my tongue out far enough to make it easy for him because my jaw didn’t even open wide enough to make that a natural movement for me. I tried to continue receiving on the tongue, but I eventually realized that when I received on the tongue, my focus was always on myself–“will I be doing this properly, will I be holding up the line, I wish my jaw weren’t messed up, etc.” I started receiving in the hand again because when I don’t have the nervousness about my jaw not opening or not “doing it right,” my focus is more on Jesus. If I focus on myself, it’s on how I can better love Him.
Admittedly, my jaw problem probably isn’t most people’s motivation for receiving in the hand. I also freely admit that I probably made a bigger deal out of ‘doing it right’ than I should have. Personally, though, it seems to keep my focus on Christ present in the Eucharist when I’m more worried about my spiritual readiness to receive Him than my physical readiness.
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Grace and Glory

I admire your desire and I appreciate your reasons. In our church where all line up along the altar step Father begins the "the Body of the Lord’ as he starts to move toward you allowing time to say “Amen” just before he reaches you and gives you communion. Like you I have found this is awkward to do when standing in a line to receive. You have my sympathy and respect.
 
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rcn:
These are simply your personal opinions. Every sentence should be prefaced by “I feel”. You’ve not convinced me of anything.

When the norm for receiving in the US is to stand, I question the “humility” of denying that lawful request.
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  • Actually it has nothing to do with “feeling” humble, but being humble. As a priest once explained, the straight knee is a sign of strength. But a knee that is bent is a sign of humility.
  • Please point me to the document from the USCCB that states the “norm” for the US is to “stand”. I would like to read this.
Lets make sure we are not confusing an official, written norm, for the “everyone else is doing it” norm. The latter is meaningless. In the US, we make this mistake frequently. The only way to navigate the issue is with official documents from the Holy See and from the USCCB.
 
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Lux_et_veritas:
Please point me to the document from the USCCB that states the “norm” for the US is to “stand”. I would like to read this.
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Standing vs. kneeling is not the principal topic of this thread, so I will not continue that part of the discussion here. But it has been discussed many, many times… you should be able to find this very easily.
 
Grace and Glory:
I’m a bit nervous about jumping into this debate, but I wanted to share why I receive in the hand. Please be gentle with me; I’m pretty new to the controversy and I might inadvertently offend someone through my ignorance.
I was never taught how to receive on the tongue, so my only instruction in this area has been watching other people who do receive on the tongue (also these forums, of course). A few months ago, I decided to start receiving the Eucharist on the tongue as a sign of reverence. I did this every day for over a month. I found it to be difficult because I have a problem that prevents my mouth from opening all the way, so it was hard for me to say amen, open my mouth, and stick my tongue out before the priest placed the Host on my tongue. I felt like I couldn’t get my tongue out far enough to make it easy for him because my jaw didn’t even open wide enough to make that a natural movement for me. I tried to continue receiving on the tongue, but I eventually realized that when I received on the tongue, my focus was always on myself–“will I be doing this properly, will I be holding up the line, I wish my jaw weren’t messed up, etc.” I started receiving in the hand again because when I don’t have the nervousness about my jaw not opening or not “doing it right,” my focus is more on Jesus. If I focus on myself, it’s on how I can better love Him.
Admittedly, my jaw problem probably isn’t most people’s motivation for receiving in the hand. I also freely admit that I probably made a bigger deal out of ‘doing it right’ than I should have. Personally, though, it seems to keep my focus on Christ present in the Eucharist when I’m more worried about my spiritual readiness to receive Him than my physical readiness.
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God bless you for your faith and your humility. It really moved me and made me reflect at how unfair and judgemental I am at times towards some people who receive in the hand.

Please feel welcome to receive Christ in the manner you are most comfortable receiving Him in - if it is in the traditional manner on the tongue…then don’t let your situation with your jaw impede you from receiving Him this way. No priest can deny communion to anyone just because they have trouble saying “Amen,” or because they are taking a few seconds more in front of the priest - I would gladly wait a few seconds more, or as long as it took, behind someone who obviously loves Christ in the Eucharist as much as you, to take their time to receive with dignity and decorum. But if you truly feel more at ease receiving in the hand, then by all means do so, you are doing absolutely nothing wrong and you shouldn’t feel the least bit guilty - in fact, if everyone who received in the hand would have the faith and concern that you do, there wouldn’t be any problems with regards to irreverence.

This whole business of expediting the Communion line, as if it were an assembly line in a factory or a line in a fast food joint is really wrong. I’ve heard priests and laity say how glad they are that the Bishops have discouraged genuflecting before receiving, mainly because it “held up the line.” Now I bow and sign myself before receiving out of obedience to the bishops, but I sure miss genuflecting or kneeling.
 
From JPII’s Redemptoris Sanctorum

– “The faithful should receive Communion** kneeling or standing**, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined”, with its acts having received the recognitio of the Apostolic See. “However, if they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that they give due reverence before the reception of the Sacrament, as set forth in the same norms”. (RS 90)

– "acred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing". (RS 91)
**
– “[E]ach of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice”. In areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission" they may receive it in the hand. “If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful”. (RS 92)**
adoremus.org/1203Arinze.html - Cardinal Arinze, when interviewed on EWTN by Raymond Arroyo this year seems to prefer communion on the tongue.
~Allison
 
Grace and Glory:
I’m a bit nervous about jumping into this debate, but I wanted to share why I receive in the hand. Please be gentle with me; I’m pretty new to the controversy and I might inadvertently offend someone through my ignorance.
I was never taught how to receive on the tongue, so my only instruction in this area has been watching other people who do receive on the tongue (also these forums, of course). A few months ago, I decided to start receiving the Eucharist on the tongue as a sign of reverence. I did this every day for over a month. I found it to be difficult because I have a problem that prevents my mouth from opening all the way, so it was hard for me to say amen, open my mouth, and stick my tongue out before the priest placed the Host on my tongue. I felt like I couldn’t get my tongue out far enough to make it easy for him because my jaw didn’t even open wide enough to make that a natural movement for me. I tried to continue receiving on the tongue, but I eventually realized that when I received on the tongue, my focus was always on myself–“will I be doing this properly, will I be holding up the line, I wish my jaw weren’t messed up, etc.” I started receiving in the hand again because when I don’t have the nervousness about my jaw not opening or not “doing it right,” my focus is more on Jesus. If I focus on myself, it’s on how I can better love Him.
Admittedly, my jaw problem probably isn’t most people’s motivation for receiving in the hand. I also freely admit that I probably made a bigger deal out of ‘doing it right’ than I should have. Personally, though, it seems to keep my focus on Christ present in the Eucharist when I’m more worried about my spiritual readiness to receive Him than my physical readiness.
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Grace and Glory,
That’s a beautiful story. I’m sure Our Lord greatly appreciates your reverence. Thanks for sharing!

God Bless,
Gary
 
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AGirone:
From JPII’s Redemptoris SanctorumHey, if you’re gonna go to the trouble of quoting a document, at least cite its name correctly.
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“The faithful should receive Communion** kneeling or standing**, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined”, And what has the Conference of Bishops in the US determined to be the norm?

Again, not the main topic of this thread !
 
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rcn:
Hey, if you’re gonna go to the trouble of quoting a document, at least cite its name correctly.
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And what has the Conference of Bishops in the US determined to be the norm?

Again, not the main topic of this thread !

You continue to mention that standing vs. kneeling is not the topic of this thread, yet you continue to use valuable space to fuel the debate by pointing us elsewhere for information instead of supplying us with the document that states standing is the norm for the US.

I must add that your tone on the subject is rather terse, if not forceful and self-righteous, from the first reply you gave to me when I conveyed my experience.
 
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Lux_et_veritas:
You continue to mention that standing vs. kneeling is not the topic of this thread, yet you continue to use valuable space to fuel the debate by pointing us elsewhere for information instead of supplying us with the document that states standing is the norm for the US.
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  1. The document is trivially easy to find.
  2. It has been discussed many times in other threads.
  3. Anyone who wants to discuss that topic, is free to add to one of the existing threads, or to start a new one.
I must add that your tone on the subject is rather terse, if not forceful and self-righteous
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  1. Thank you for those kind sentiments. Have a lot of experience at being judgmental, do you?
  2. I’m trying to keep the commentary on an unrelated topic as brief as possible, while still attempting to be somewhat helpful. How about you?
 
rcn said:
1. The document is trivially easy to find.
2. It has been discussed many times in other threads.
3. Anyone who wants to discuss that topic, is free to add to one of the existing threads, or to start a new one.
  1. Thank you for those kind sentiments. Have a lot of experience at being judgmental, do you?
  2. I’m trying to keep the commentary on an unrelated topic as brief as possible, while still attempting to be somewhat helpful. How about you?
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I’m talking about your tone, which has been highly condescending since your first reply. Now I ask, who is being judgemental?

You just used space once again, to repeat yourself for the thrid time that the information was out there and now you say it is trivially easy to find. Well if it is trivially easy to find, then kindly put it up so we can see it.

You are the one who made the proclamation that “standing” is the norm in the US. All I’m asking you to do is to back it up. Maybe you are right, but I have been unable to find anything written that directs all Catholics in the US to stand during communion. You inferred we were being disobedient by kneeling which is what I do in my parish because it happens to have a rail. Your original statement suggesting disobedience by kneeling is aimed directly at the way I and many others receive communion.

Once again, I ask you to please back up your claim and show me where it says I am disobedient to the US bishops for going against a norm
 
I have to make one correction above when I stated that : "You inferred we were being disobedient by kneeling"

I was in error here because it was otm’s statement below, but rcn continued in the same direction. This infers disobedience and I believe it is in error.

otm said:
It is also a sign of humility to fllow directions that run contrary to one’s feelings, but are considered the norm or the lawful direction of the bishop.

And I started receiving Communion at an altar rail when reception on the tongue was the norm, so I am well aware of both.
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General reminder:

**Please self-edit posts for charity in tone before clicking the “Submit” button or the thread will have to be closed. **
 
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AGirone:
Info I read that led me to rec. on tongue …

John Paul II, some years back had a sign posted on St. Peter’s Basilica specifying that all priests, no matter where they came from, who celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s, were to give Communion only on the tongue. When the wife of President of France Madame Giscard d’Estaing came before the Holy Father with outstretched hands, he placed the Host in her mouth. Likewise, a canon lawyer present at a papal Mass in Chicago witnessed the mayor of Chicago approach the Holy Father also with outstretched hands. The Holy Father said, “the Pope doesn’t do that,” and proceeded to give her holy Communion on the tongue. He gave Communion only on the tongue in his private Masses at the Vatican.
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I have seen video footage of the old Holy Father distributing Holy Communion in the hand at Saint Peter’s, as well as in other locations.
 
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rcn:
Standing vs. kneeling is not the principal topic of this thread, so I will not continue that part of the discussion here. But it has been discussed many, many times… you should be able to find this very easily.
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Then why did you mention this at post #102?
 
Lux_veritas, in the time it took you to characterize posts as “condescending” and “proclamations”, deciding “who” was inferring “what”, and to report posts to the moderators, you could have performed the simplest of searches and turned up screenful after screenful of threads which all touch upon the topic of the norm of standing for the reception of Communion in the US.
 
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Adonis33:
Then why did you mention this at post #102?
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Precisely my point. The poster takes a shot across my bow on the issue of standing when I simply conveyed my experience of receiving on the tongue, while kneeling, then tries to get me to back up his statement by doing a search, instead of doing it himself (right! :nope: ). This whole discussion wouldn’t have tilted if people hadn’t gotten visibly irritated by the sharing of my experience of not only having received communion on the tongue, but while kneeling.

First I get accused of not humbling myself before the Bishops in post 101, then I get bossed around on the issue of standing after post 102 made the issue a hot point.

Spare me any further discussion on the topic, its simply not value added.

:rolleyes:
 
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