Sick and Communion

[C794]

I have a cold (mostly a soar throat) and more than likely I’ll be able to go to Mass tonight. When I’m there how should I go about receiving the Eucharist? I know shouldn’t receive from the chalice, but receiving the host worries me. I usually receive on the tongue, but this will require the priest to put his hand in my mouth. I could receive on the hand, but I feel uncomfortable with it. Also, I’m not sure I remember how; I learned briefly on the day I was confirmed, did it once and then received on the tongue since. So what should I do tonight?

 

[Zooman77]

Well from an epidemiology point of view your hands really could be just as “germy” as your mouth if you haven’t washed your hands good before mass or if you are constantly touching your face. Anyway though it probably would be more considerate to receive in the hand. What are you uncomfortable with? As far as how to…

If you intend to receive the Sacred Host in your hand, extend both hands palm upwards toward the minister, placing one hand directly on top of the other. You should do this as you approach the minister so that it is obvious to the minister that you wish to receive Communion in the hand.**…The minister will hold the Sacred Host in front of you and say, “The Body of Christ.” You respond by saying, “Amen.” The minister will then place the Host on your open palm. Do not attempt to grab the Host from the minister with your fingers.…**Once the Host has been placed in your hand, step aside (to allow the person behind you to come forward to receive) and immediately consume the Host as you stand facing toward the altar. You should pick up the Host from the palm of your hand with the fingers of your other hand and reverently place the Host in your mouth. Then either join the procession to receive the Precious Blood from the minister holding the chalice or return respectfully to your pew.

 

[C794]

I’m uncomfortable with the possibility of fragments being left on my hand and having to find a way to consume them. It’s hard to go unnoticed when trying to do so and. get embarrassed. Also, on the Easter Vigil, a fragment was left on my hand. My first thought was that it wasn’t a piece of the Eucharist and so I rubbed my hands on my pants. I don’t want to be in that situation again.

 

[jritenour]

If you are sick, it is ok to be absent from Mass.

jimmyakin.com/2005/01/attention_cold_-2.html

 

[Cristiano]

Well from an epidemiology point of view your hands really could be just as “germy” as your mouth if you haven’t washed your hands good before mass or if you are constantly touching your face. Anyway though it probably would be more considerate to receive in the hand. What are you uncomfortable with? As far as how to…

Is is more important to be commfortable or to receive the sacrament? Go with our hands flat and use them as a throne to welcome Christ. You can also be the very last in line and receive on the tongue.
I am probably to relaxed about germs but at some point you have to trust in God, Jesus and the Saints kissed the lepers, am I more important than they are to the point of avoiding every little risk? I am not telling you to do what I would do I just sharing my very personal opinion.

 

[runningdude]

You are only obligated to receive the Eucharist once a year, during the Lenten or Easter seasons. At any other time, you may simply remain in the pew during mass.

 

[C794]

Thanks for the replies.

I know that we aren’t obligated to go if we’re sick, but I’ve always applied it to the flue.I’ve went with a cold before, but that was before my confirmation. As a result, receiving wasn’t an option. I feel that if I’m well enough to go to school then I should go to Mass. Anyway, I don’t like missing out. In my case I have energy, I just cough every now and then and have a soar throat. The throat is all that really bothers me. Outside of that I feel mostly fine.

Is is more important to be commfortable or to receive the sacrament? Go with our hands flat and use them as a throne to welcome Christ. You can also be the very last in line and receive on the tongue.
I am probably to relaxed about germs but at some point you have to trust in God, Jesus and the Saints kissed the lepers, am I more important than they are to the point of avoiding every little risk? I am not telling you to do what I would do I just sharing my very personal opinion.

That makes sense. I think COTH would be better then on the tongue, even if I’m last in line. I don’t want to get the priest sick.

 

[Pa_Newman]

In the past I have served as an extraordinary minister of Communion.Done properly the minister of Communion does not put their hand in the communicants’s mouth.The communicant should extend their tongue, the minister of Communion holding the Host near the edge places,lays or drops the host on the Communicant’s tongue.It can be done w/o touching their tongue.Concerning the spread of germs as a e.m o C. when distributing the Precious Blood the minister would consume what ever remained after distribution. I did many a time and never got sick nor ever even gave it any worry.My thought on the matter is that God is in control,if through the priest and the words of consecration He changes bread and wine into His Body and Blood He can certainly prevent the spread of germs during the distribution of the Eucharist.

 

[Joan_M]

I have a cold (mostly a soar throat) and more than likely I’ll be able to go to Mass tonight. When I’m there how should I go about receiving the Eucharist? I know shouldn’t receive from the chalice, but receiving the host worries me. I usually receive on the tongue, but this will require the priest to put his hand in my mouth. I could receive on the hand, but I feel uncomfortable with it. Also, I’m not sure I remember how; I learned briefly on the day I was confirmed, did it once and then received on the tongue since. So what should I do tonight?

Giving someone Communion on the tongue does not require putting a hand in the person’s mouth. The Host should be placed on the person’s tongue without touching the tongue. This is very easy, very simple, as long as the person’s mouth is open and the tongue is out, resting on the lower lip. There is no need to change to receiving in the hand.

 

[m134e5]

I suggest going to the end of the line to receive communion rather than receiving in the hand for this reason if that isn’t what you normally do.

 

[thistle]

I have a cold (mostly a soar throat) and more than likely I’ll be able to go to Mass tonight. When I’m there how should I go about receiving the Eucharist? I know shouldn’t receive from the chalice, but receiving the host worries me. I usually receive on the tongue, but this will require the priest to put his hand in my mouth. I could receive on the hand, but I feel uncomfortable with it. Also, I’m not sure I remember how; I learned briefly on the day I was confirmed, did it once and then received on the tongue since. So what should I do tonight?

Frankly, if you have a cold and a sore throat you should not even be attending Mass. If sick there is no obligation.
Potentially, you are doing harm by going to Mass by spreading the cold virus to others.

 

[paperwight66]

Frankly, if you have a cold and a sore throat you should not even be attending Mass. If sick there is no obligation.
Potentially, you are doing harm by going to Mass by spreading the cold virus to others.

Absolutely!

I’d like to add something to consider . The risk of germs getting on the fingers of whoever gives COTT is not solely from touching the tongue. Some people have a tendency to breathe out at the same time as they receive on the tongue, and breath is laden with germs which can get on the fingers in a fine mist.