Step to side or turn and walk after receiving communion in hand?

[Cavaille-Coll]

The norm for reception of Holy Communion is on the tongue. The option is in the hand, and a bishop may opt to disallow this option in his diocese. One diocese that does not allow reception in the hand is the Diocese of Rome, and we all know who their bishop is. Also, communion rails may still be used.

Unfortunately, many CCD and RCIA groups do not teach this, or teach the opposite. When one receives in the hand, they should consume the Host immediately, whether in front of the priest or a step off to the side. Since most people want to receive the Host reverently, a step off to the side gives one time to receive a little more prayerfully. Under no circumstances should they walk away from the altar with the Host in their hand. As an EEM, I have had to chase people halfway down the aisle and make them receive the Host. One of many unfortunate consequences of allowing communion in the hand is the ease by which Satanic or occult groups can obtain consecrated Hosts for their sacreleges.

 

[Pug]

A particle might be as small as a molecule. You cant see that.

You raise an interesting point. I was taught that Jesus is not present in a particle that is so small as to be unhelpful for showing where the presence is because it no longer appears like a particle of bread. However, being taught and what is, well, they aren’t the same. The best I can do is point to a document, not in English:

Dichiarazione riguardante i frammenti d’Ostie consacrate (Declaratio de fragmentis eucharisticis), May 2, 1972
**DOCUMENTA 11
***Notitiae 8 (1972) 227; DocCath 69 (1972) 815-816 [Gall.]; EV 4, 1022-1023; Dokumenty, I,11
*
It does not seem to be available online, but I am incompetent that way. I was lucky to dredge up the full reference to it. Can anyone be of more assistance?

BTW, I am aware of what Trent says on this issue, but did they mean visible particles when they wrote it?

 

[MusicMan]

Most lay EMHCs haven’t a clue.

I do! I do! And on those rare occassions where I am privliged enough to help with the distribution of Communion, you can bet that those who wish to receive on the tongue are allowed to do so without any fear of me not administering the Host properly.

 

[Faith1960]

I attend Daily Mass when the school children are in attendance. The priest was instructing them on how to receive the Host in their hand. He stated to give a slight bow as the person before them is receiving. When it came time for their “turn” they were to take the Host…step to the side and place it in their mouth. They were NOT to walk away and consume it.

I have seen people take the Host and put it in their mouth and they were well on their way back to their pew. Doesn’t seem “right” to me.

:heart:Blyss

Do you know why we’re supposed to bow when the person in front of us is receiving instead of when we stand before the priest? Also, is this something new? I don’t remember bowing long ago before my absence from the Church. Since my return, I’ve noticed many people bowing, though not all, and when they do, they bow as the person ahead of them is receiving so that’s what I’ve been doing, too.

 

[MusicMan]

You are not supposed to bow when the person in front of you receives. This is bad catechesis given by priests who were trying to make things easier, and were thinking back to the days when people genuflected. And I understand why there are priests doing this, but that does not change the fact that they are WRONG.

When you get to the minister, the minister says, “The Body of Christ.” You execute a bow of your head, and if you receive on the hand, you then extend your hands to receive the Sacrament. If you receive on the tongue, after executing the bow, you extend your tongue.

So, in brief: “The Body of Christ,” bow, head comes back up, receive.

 

[Pug]

When you get to the minister, the minister says, “The Body of Christ.” You execute a bow of your head, and if you receive on the hand, you then extend your hands to receive the Sacrament.

Our parish was not so instructed. Here is an answer from Zenit on the precise timing of the bow. The answer is against the proposition that the bow must be after the words “the body of Christ”. I myself find that timing odd. For me, it would seem odd to hear those words, bow, and then say “amen”. I’d say “amen” immediately, with no intervening anything, since I view that as the required response to the words. I look more upon the sign of reverence as being done as I approach Jesus, and being done to him, not in response to the words, so I do it before the priest says “the body of Christ”. But that is just how it plays in my mind.

If the questioner is concerned, bow at the time your priest instructs you. The bow or sign of reverence is required, as per the GIRM.

 

[atsheeran]

You raise an interesting point. I was taught that Jesus is not present in a particle that is so small as to be unhelpful for showing where the presence is because it no longer appears like a particle of bread. However, being taught and what is, well, they aren’t the same. The best I can do is point to a document, not in English:

What you have articulated is my understanding as well, though I do not have a citation.

Sacraments are signs that are efficacious in conveying grace. When you no longer have the sign you no longer have the sacrament. If it were otherwise then the smallest microscopic particles of the consecrated species would remain Christ as they worked their way through your digestive system and ultimately to a fate utterly contrary to the dignity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

 

[Nechasin]

One diocese that does not allow reception in the hand is the Diocese of Rome… .

I disagree with this statement based on personal experience. I was in Rome last year and went to Mass in multiple Churches including St. Peters. Many people were allowed to receive in the hand. I will admit that I did see more people receiving on the tongue than I do in the States.

 

[davy39]

I attend Daily Mass when the school children are in attendance. The priest was instructing them on how to receive the Host in their hand. He stated to give a slight bow as the person before them is receiving. When it came time for their “turn” they were to take the Host…step to the side and place it in their mouth. They were NOT to walk away and consume it.

I have seen people take the Host and put it in their mouth and they were well on their way back to their pew. Doesn’t seem “right” to me.

:heart:Blyss

I’ve also seen people receive our Lord, turn, and walk out the door to their cars. Now, nobody is in that much of a hurry, are they? I receive our Lord, step to one side, make the sign of the Cross, and return to my pew to pray, not to sing Peace if flowing like a river.