Receiving on the tongue

[jemfinch]

I’m a fairly new Catholic (received into the Church this past April) and have been receiving the Eucharist in the hand since becoming Catholic.

However, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, something happened to me which hasn’t happened before: the host broke in my hands, leaving small pieces of host on my hand. So I walked back to the pew with my hands in a position where the remaining host wouldn’t fall, and then…well, I didn’t know anything better to do, so I licked my hand. It’s not the most dignified way to treat Jesus, but it’s the best I could think of at the time.

So I decided then to receive the host on the tongue from now on. Except, problem is (as was indicated in Mass this morning, I had the feeling I’d done something out of the ordinary; the priest seemed hesitant, and when I got back to the pew I realized I’d forgotten the whole “Amen” part) that I don’t really know how, exactly to receive on the tongue. So if someone could describe in excrutiating detail how to receive the Eucharist on the tongue, I’d be appreciative.

If someone wants to explain if there’s something better for someone to do in the case of a broken host than to lick his hand, I’m a little bit curious about that, as well

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[AJV]

So I decided then to receive the host on the tongue from now on. Except, problem is (as was indicated in Mass this morning, I had the feeling I’d done something out of the ordinary; the priest seemed hesitant, and when I got back to the pew I realized I’d forgotten the whole “Amen” part) that I don’t really know how, exactly to receive on the tongue. So if someone could describe in excrutiating detail how to receive the Eucharist on the tongue, I’d be appreciative.

P. “The Body of Christ”
You: “Amen”
then open mouth. I usually follow the practise of putting my tongue out slightly - the tip just over the lip.

 

[Karin]

I’m a fairly new Catholic (received into the Church this past April) and have been receiving the Eucharist in the hand since becoming Catholic.

However, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, something happened to me which hasn’t happened before: the host broke in my hands, leaving small pieces of host on my hand. So I walked back to the pew with my hands in a position where the remaining host wouldn’t fall, and then…well, I didn’t know anything better to do, so I licked my hand. It’s not the most dignified way to treat Jesus, but it’s the best I could think of at the time.

So I decided then to receive the host on the tongue from now on. Except, problem is (as was indicated in Mass this morning, I had the feeling I’d done something out of the ordinary; the priest seemed hesitant, and when I got back to the pew I realized I’d forgotten the whole “Amen” part) that I don’t really know how, exactly to receive on the tongue. So if someone could describe in excrutiating detail how to receive the Eucharist on the tongue, I’d be appreciative.

If someone wants to explain if there’s something better for someone to do in the case of a broken host than to lick his hand, I’m a little bit curious about that, as well

Thanks,
Jeremy

keep your hands very close to your body and open your mouth…most priests are taken back here in the States becuase most folks receive in the hand…not in the mouth.

*If you are going to receive the Sacred Host on your tongue, keep your hands joined over your heart as you approach the minister. After the minister holds the Host in front of you and says The Body of Christ and you respond Amen, tilt your head backwards, close your eyes, open your mouth and stick out your tongue. The minister will then place the Host on your tongue. Once you feel the Host on your tongue, take the Host into your mouth with your tongue and open your eyes. Do not attempt to reach for the Host with your tongue or mouth. Instead, remain still with your eyes closed so that the minister will have no difficulty placing the Host on your tongue. *
cathstan.org/news/06-10-04/1.shtml

 

[Unfinished]

I’m a fairly new Catholic (received into the Church this past April) and have been receiving the Eucharist in the hand since becoming Catholic.

However, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, something happened to me which hasn’t happened before: the host broke in my hands, leaving small pieces of host on my hand. So I walked back to the pew with my hands in a position where the remaining host wouldn’t fall, and then…well, I didn’t know anything better to do, so I licked my hand. It’s not the most dignified way to treat Jesus, but it’s the best I could think of at the time.

So I decided then to receive the host on the tongue from now on. Except, problem is (as was indicated in Mass this morning, I had the feeling I’d done something out of the ordinary; the priest seemed hesitant, and when I got back to the pew I realized I’d forgotten the whole “Amen” part) that I don’t really know how, exactly to receive on the tongue. So if someone could describe in excrutiating detail how to receive the Eucharist on the tongue, I’d be appreciative.

If someone wants to explain if there’s something better for someone to do in the case of a broken host than to lick his hand, I’m a little bit curious about that, as well

Thanks,
Jeremy

Fold your hands in the “prayer” position, open your mouth and stick out your tongue. (The priest is just probably not used to people recieving on the tongue)

What you did was probably the best thing to do. When a host falls on the ground I have seen the priest lick it off the floor as not to lose a crumb.

 

[Fergal]

If someone wants to explain if there’s something better for someone to do in the case of a broken host than to lick his hand, I’m a little bit curious about that, as well

Thanks,
Jeremy

If particles remain on the hand after reception of the Host then you moisten the tip of your index finger and touch them slightly. they will adhere and you can bring them to your mouth.

yes reception on the tongue does away with all that.

I have had an interesting turn about. I used to receive on the hand, then became an EMHC. During this time having witnessed many examples of bad practice and dare I say sacrilege, I removed myself from this post, stopped receiving in the hand and now receive by tongue only. Not a personal choice of mine but a way in which I was directed.

A good tip for receiving on the tongue is to close your eyes as you put out your tongue. The you do not see the reaction of the Priest whether it is favourable or not. The Priest knows you can’t see him and therefore goes ahead and gives you Holy Communion.

With your eyes closed more importantly you can focus on the moment and visualise the Christ Child coming to you.

 

[tee_eff_em]

To add only one bit of conditional advice to those above – Because I am rather tall and most of the ministers in my parish are shorter, I try to stoop a bit, just to make it easier for them to reverently place the host on my tongue, and minimize the occasions when they may accidentally touch my tongue or lips.

(I supsect the whole thing would be easier if the normative posture for the communicants was to kneel before a standing minister, but that’s not up to me)

tee

 

[Monica37]

I recently had an experience where the priest “shoved” the Body of Christ into my mouth. It was forceful enough that it really took me aback. My sister says it was because a lot of priests don’t want people to recieve that way and that she has gotten the same thing from a different priest (at a Catholic school) who told the parents and teachers that they should be recieving in the hand to “teach the children how to properly receive”. I hope she is wrong and that I misinterpreted this priest. It was not my usual parish.

 

[puzzleannie]

had the feeling I’d done something out of the ordinary; the priest seemed hesitant, and when I got back to the pew I realized I’d forgotten the whole “Amen” part) that I don’t really know how, exactly to receive on the tongue.

the priest might have been confused if you opened your mouth but also held your hands up absentmindedly.

fold your hands, walk right up to the priest, tilt your head slightly back, open your mouth, stick out your tongue as if at the doctor (don’t say AH). In our church if you look at Jesus on the Cross above the altar your head is in the right position, maybe there is a light fixture or something you could use to “spot yourself”. You are supposed to say Amen right after he says “Body of Christ” then open your mouth etc., but if you are concentrating on doing it right and forget Amen, that’s fine just say it to yourself.

If you have anything at all in your hands–baby, purse, kleenex, cast, prayerbook–you must receive on the tongue.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

While I have never had that happen to me I remember very distinctly on the 4th of July (it is etched in my mind) when while receiving in the hand the host cracked. The loudest sound I have ever heard and I immediately put it into my mouth and then I did what I have seen the EMHCs when they receive and that is to lick the hand. No one thought a thing about it…but I know I was bright red. Like I said…it was the loudest "crack: I have ever heard. I have seen many people do that.

:heart:Blyss

 

[Cristiano]

We should worry more about our inner cleanliness than the outer one.
When we are in line to receive Holy Communion we believe that we are ready with our interior cleanliness; however do we know what we touched before receiving the Lord?
I used to receive in the hand when one day I had to go with a wrist brace, and I became fully aware of my convictions about receiving the Eucharist, since then I changed for good. In my opinion, receiving on the tongue is the norm and shows more reverence, why doing it any other way?

 

[Goldy]

Crazy thought: To go along with putting all the Tabernacles back on the main altar so as not to be confused as to what to genuflect toward, why not bring back the communion rail? That way EVERYONE receives on the tongue, and nobody is confused as to how to receive Our Lord? Maybe I’m being too orthodox?

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Crazy thought: To go along with putting all the Tabernacles back on the main altar so as not to be confused as to what to genuflect toward, why not bring back the communion rail? That way EVERYONE receives on the tongue, and nobody is confused as to how to receive Our Lord? Maybe I’m being too orthodox?

Why would we have to receive on the tongue at an altar rail? And you’ve confused orthodoxy with being conservative. They ARE two seperate things and a person may be completely orthodox and rec. in the hand (as the Church permits). It’s a common mistake made by some who call themselves “traditionalists.”

 

[Lorik]

If by chance the host was to crack in your hands ever again and you are forced to lick your hand, after Mass you can also wash your hand in the special sink that they wash the chalices and such in. This sink water goes straight into the ground instead of the plumbing system of the church. Just in case any particles are left.

 

[Missa_Solemnis]

I’m a fairly new Catholic (received into the Church this past April) and have been receiving the Eucharist in the hand since becoming Catholic.

However, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, something happened to me which hasn’t happened before: the host broke in my hands, leaving small pieces of host on my hand. So I walked back to the pew with my hands in a position where the remaining host wouldn’t fall, and then…well, I didn’t know anything better to do, so I licked my hand. It’s not the most dignified way to treat Jesus, but it’s the best I could think of at the time.

So I decided then to receive the host on the tongue from now on. Except, problem is (as was indicated in Mass this morning, I had the feeling I’d done something out of the ordinary; the priest seemed hesitant, and when I got back to the pew I realized I’d forgotten the whole “Amen” part) that I don’t really know how, exactly to receive on the tongue. So if someone could describe in excrutiating detail how to receive the Eucharist on the tongue, I’d be appreciative.

If someone wants to explain if there’s something better for someone to do in the case of a broken host than to lick his hand, I’m a little bit curious about that, as well

Thanks,
Jeremy

Just between you and me…recieving on the tongue is the best way to recieve.

Stick it out, stick it proud!

Your one chance to stick your tongue out at somone…might as well go all the way.

 

[palmas85]

I’m a fairly new Catholic (received into the Church this past April) and have been receiving the Eucharist in the hand since becoming Catholic.

However, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, something happened to me which hasn’t happened before: the host broke in my hands, leaving small pieces of host on my hand. So I walked back to the pew with my hands in a position where the remaining host wouldn’t fall, and then…well, I didn’t know anything better to do, so I licked my hand. It’s not the most dignified way to treat Jesus, but it’s the best I could think of at the time.

So I decided then to receive the host on the tongue from now on. Except, problem is (as was indicated in Mass this morning, I had the feeling I’d done something out of the ordinary; the priest seemed hesitant, and when I got back to the pew I realized I’d forgotten the whole “Amen” part) that I don’t really know how, exactly to receive on the tongue. So if someone could describe in excrutiating detail how to receive the Eucharist on the tongue, I’d be appreciative.

If someone wants to explain if there’s something better for someone to do in the case of a broken host than to lick his hand, I’m a little bit curious about that, as well

Thanks,
Jeremy

Tilt your head back a bit, say amen, open your mouth wide, stick your tongue out and close your eyes. Keep you hands down or the Priest may try to stick the Eucharist there instead of your mouth. I’ve had that tried before. Then after you have received pull your tongue back in, close your mouth and head back to your seat. I always let it dissolve, some people chew others do a combination of both.

I’m glad to see that some new Catholics have been taught very well exactly what the Eucharist is.

Welcome and best Christmas wishes.

 

[lak611]

Also, make sure that you open your mouth wide enough. Sometimes the Hosts are rather large. I am an EMHC, and I always pay attention to how a communicant wishes to receive our Lord. In fact, there have been a few times where communicants had their hands folded so I started to place the Host into their mouths, but then they raised their hands. I gave them Holy Communion in their hands, but I was somewhat confused as to why they were not more clear as to how they wanted to receive.