Terrified of receiving on the tongue

[ProVobis]

It is the law of the universal Church in the Latin Rite (to which most of us belong) that we receive Communion in the traditional manner. To receive on the hand is only an “indult,” or concession that is in effect here and there.

As are having Extraordinary Ministers of Communion.

I don’t know what the norms are as far as communion rails, bread lines, and the other forms of receiving Communion are.

 

[peary]

peary;6018265:

paperwight;6018154:

Reply: No, but I’d guess the Catholic population in them form a sizeable proportoin of the world’s Catholic membership.

You are also discounting the fact that CITH has been approved by all of the world’s English-speaking Bishops Conferences, so don’t forget to add in Australia and other countries too numerous to mention.

So where are those countries where CITH is not permitted? And what proportion do they form of the world? ‘The greater part of the world’? Really?

Countries or dioceses? Make up your mind.

 

[tabsie3210]

1. Extraordinary Minister - Sorry, I know, it’s supposed to be Extraordinary Minster of the Holy Eucharist. It’s one of those things that I know but doesn’t stick in my head properly. Thank you for the correction.
2. I really don’t think I’m worrying “too much” about what will happen to the Host, because I really do care and want to treat the Lord with reverence and respect. That part about fears concerning sneezing, coughing, choking, etc - that has nothing to do with receiving on the tongue vs. receiving in the hand. It was just me expressing my concern about behaving properly toward the Host.
3. I don’t know about the “greater part of the world.” Unfortunately, my world is pretty limited, to the city I grew up in and the same church I attended as a small child. I know that in certain countries, concessions are made for different traditions. While in Latin Rites there is no dancing during the Mass, in some African countries there may be (or so I have read). I don’t worry myself over-much about that because everyone wants to revere God; I just pay attention to what is permitted in my Parish and accept that if I were to travel elsewhere, things may be different. All I know is that receiving the Host in the hand or on the tongue are both permitted, and the hand is usually easier due to our receiving standing up. I also know that we are to show absolute reverence to the Real Presence of Christ, which is right in front of us every time we receive Communion. So my concern is trying to be as reverent as possible, without doing something that would be harmful to the Host. I’ve had to stop people from dunking the Host into the Precious Blood before, and several of us EMs have had to stop people from taking the Host back to their seats to do goodness knows what with it. At all times in all ways, we have to protect the Host and the Precious Blood. My desire to learn about receiving on the tongue stems from a desire to do the most good for the Host, not because I feel compelled to follow some kind of arbitrary rule -

Note - I don’t consider this an “arbitrary rule.” I consider receiving on the tongue the most traditional way to honor Christ. But some people do consider a lot of Traditionalist behavior to be just people wanting to satisfy some arbitrary rule. I’m just pointing out that I don’t feel it is, so please don’t misinterpret what I mean.

 

[ljubim]

I’ve never had any problem receiving on the tongue, and I do this while kneeling, without a kneeler.

Up down, it’s just like genuflecting, but with another knee down.

All that, never a host dropped, all these years. The fewer hands involved the less likelihood of trouble.

God will take care of it, don’t worry.

OH MY GOODNESS! You mean like they do at the mass on EWTN, like kneel right before the priest, walking up the aisle to him and then just kneeling there, receiving Our Lord, and then getting up?

That right there is what I’m terrified of doing. I’m at a very progressive church… just started receiving on the tongue, and the only whining I’m hearing is from my odd little sister, who always criticizes everything I do, so it’s not a big deal. But anyway, the EM today at mass gave me a really weird look when I didn’t put my hands up. She sort of stared, motioned like she was putting the host in my hand, but when I didn’t budge she looked at me again. Then she went to put th host in my mouth and completely stabbed me in the tongue with her fingernail. Yuck!! I don’t think she’s ever given the Eucharist on the tongue!! And she was quite old too!(Just tells you about my parish. I love these guys to death, but I feel like I need to bring earplugs for before and after mass when I’m trying to pray. The back of the church is like a social hall.

I can only imagine her reaction if I were to kneel to receive. I feel like I should be going to mass in Rome, not here in this strange strange place

Needless to say I am VERY impressed Shin!!! Way to go!

To the OP: Just do it. Really! You’ll be happy you did. Just like any steps you take to become more devout… you’ll do it the first time and say, oh that wasn’t so bad after all! Thanks Lord for asking me to do this!

 

[ljubim]

1. Extraordinary Minister - Sorry, I know, it’s supposed to be Extraordinary Minster of the Holy Eucharist. It’s one of those things that I know but doesn’t stick in my head properly. Thank you for the correction.
2. I really don’t think I’m worrying “too much” about what will happen to the Host, because I really do care and want to treat the Lord with reverence and respect. That part about fears concerning sneezing, coughing, choking, etc - that has nothing to do with receiving on the tongue vs. receiving in the hand. It was just me expressing my concern about behaving properly toward the Host.
3. I don’t know about the “greater part of the world.” Unfortunately, my world is pretty limited, to the city I grew up in and the same church I attended as a small child. I know that in certain countries, concessions are made for different traditions. While in Latin Rites there is no dancing during the Mass, in some African countries there may be (or so I have read). I don’t worry myself over-much about that because everyone wants to revere God; I just pay attention to what is permitted in my Parish and accept that if I were to travel elsewhere, things may be different. All I know is that receiving the Host in the hand or on the tongue are both permitted, and the hand is usually easier due to our receiving standing up. I also know that we are to show absolute reverence to the Real Presence of Christ, which is right in front of us every time we receive Communion. So my concern is trying to be as reverent as possible, without doing something that would be harmful to the Host. I’ve had to stop people from dunking the Host into the Precious Blood before, and several of us EMs have had to stop people from taking the Host back to their seats to do goodness knows what with it. ** At all times in all ways, we have to protect the Host and the Precious Blood. ** My desire to learn about receiving on the tongue stems from a desire to do the most good for the Host, not because I feel compelled to follow some kind of arbitrary rule -

Note - I don’t consider this an “arbitrary rule.” I consider receiving on the tongue the most traditional way to honor Christ. But some people do consider a lot of Traditionalist behavior to be just people wanting to satisfy some arbitrary rule. I’m just pointing out that I don’t feel it is, so please don’t misinterpret what I mean.

I agree completely!!! After I prayed I watched the EMs. They didn’t even watch to see the person put the host in their mouths. I thought this was a basic rule! I mean just because it’s a more liberal church doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t respect the Body and Blood of Our Lord!!

 

[tabsie3210]

I agree completely!!! After I prayed I watched the EMs. They didn’t even watch to see the person put the host in their mouths. I thought this was a basic rule! I mean just because it’s a more liberal church doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t respect the Body and Blood of Our Lord!!

In my Parish, several EMs have left their posts in the past, still holding the bowls containing the Host, to stop one person and make him or her either surrender the Host or eat Him. (Somehow that always sounds wrong, but English doesn’t have the proper way to explain, alas.)

Grr.

This is why I take how I receive so seriously. If the situation weren’t serious, then such introspection wouldn’t be necessary, but when talking about Christ - present in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - one needs to to be introspective.

 

[ProVobis]

Note - I don’t consider this an “arbitrary rule.” I consider receiving on the tongue the most traditional way to honor Christ. But some people do consider a lot of Traditionalist behavior to be just people wanting to satisfy some arbitrary rule.

Since when has this become now an “arbitrary rule”? I can understand changing the rules of the game to rationalize and call it a “practice” to appease those with an agenda but an “arbitrary” rule now? First I’ve heard of that.

 

[agent_grey]

If it falls of the tounge pick it up and eat it.

I am more concerned with whether I recieve the real presence or some pathetic symbol than with gravity.

 

[ProVobis]

If it falls of the tounge pick it up and eat it.

I am more concerned with whether I recieve the real presence or some pathetic symbol than with gravity.

So it doesn’t bother you that some of the Real Presence is left on your hands than consumed normally by the body?

By the way do you practice levitation?

 

[tabsie3210]

Since when has this become now an “arbitrary rule”? I can understand changing the rules of the game to rationalize and call it a “practice” to appease those with an agenda but an “arbitrary” rule now? First I’ve heard of that.

I know! Beats me, though. It came up in a conversation with a non-practicing Catholic at my job. She said she thought it was odd that I never complain about all those “arbitrary rules” that they have for participating in Mass.

That’s why I said what I said - I don’t believe that anything we do is some “arbitrary rule.” I think that everything we do, from genuflecturing to kneeling after Communion, is proper and respectful and has meaning.

But apparently I gave her the impression that I will do whatever is commanded of me during Mass just because “Rome” tells us we have to do it.

So I was trying to clarify that I am not trying to learn to receive on the tongue “just because Rome says so,” but because I want to be more reverent toward the Host.

 

[tabsie3210]

If it falls of the tounge pick it up and eat it.

I am more concerned with whether I recieve the real presence or some pathetic symbol than with gravity.

Since I know that what I’m receiving is the Real Presence of Christ, I worry about treating Him with great reverence, love and worship. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to want to be as close to perfect for God, out of love of God.

 

[hamburglar]

I receive kneeling. Part of the reason I do this is because I am tall and it makes it much easier on the person giving out Communion. It is much easier to “aim” the Host going downward as opposed to having the minister reach up or having me awkwardly bow or crouch.

 

[Cat]

I receive kneeling. Part of the reason I do this is because I am tall and it makes it much easier on the person giving out Communion. It is much easier to “aim” the Host going downward as opposed to having the minister reach up or having me awkwardly bow or crouch.

Sigh.

I can’t even imagine doing this.

I’m at work (hospital lab). A few minutes ago I dropped a completed test cartridge (no danger to patient) on the floor and it rolled under the desk. It’s still there. I can’t kneel to pick it up. It will stay there until some younger person with good knees notices it.

I couldn’t hang the mistletoe this year because when I tried to stand up on the chair, my knees wouldn’t raise me up.

Sigh.

Enjoy your kneeling, those of you who can.

 

[Jacafamala]

Just think of yourself as a little lamb receiving your food from the shepherd’s hand.

Aww. :angel1:

 

[Monty61]

Another thing to consider is that if they are using standard hosts, they are pretty dry and the tongue is a little wet. So once it makes contact, usually it sticks. Unless you really sneeze right at the wrong moment, it shouldn’t be a worry.

Communion in the hand makes it easier for freaks like that Minnesota university professor who got someone to bring him a consecrated host from Mass and then he posted a picture of it in his trash can. on the internet.

 

[ProVobis]

Communion in the hand makes it easier for freaks like that Minnesota university professor who got someone to bring him a consecrated host from Mass and then he posted a picture of it in his trash can. on the internet.

Yes, but I’m sure you’ll find a progressive that will defend and try to get the Vatican to approve this practice.

 

[CradleCath]

paperwight;6018154:

peary;6017685:

Again, and I will reiterate this to you - it is the law - THE LAW - of the Catholic Church in the Latin Rite that we receive Communion in the traditional man

ner. To receive on the hand is an “indult” - a concession that is in effect here and there. CITH does not exist in the greater part of the world. Also, Orthodox Christians receive Communion by tincture, with a small spoon held by the priest, who distributes it in the mouth of the recipient. CITH may be available in the world, but it doesn’t mean the majority of bishops have allowed it in their diocese. The United States, Canada, and Europe are not the sandbox of the world, regardless of how they view themselves.

Correct, & the indult that allows CITH. was obtained through manipulation & half-truths. The practice of Communion in the hand was first introduced in Belgium by Cardinal Suenens in disobedience to the rubrics of the Holy See. Not wishing to publicly rebuke a brother bishop, Pope Paul VI decided to lift the ban prohibiting Communion in the hand, **in **Belgium. . The late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, then president of the United States NCCB, initiated two unsuccessful attempts to introduce Communion in the hand in 1975 and 1976. In the spring of 1977, the bishops’ vote again fell short of the required two-thirds majority. Nevertheless, for the first time ever bishops in absentia were polled by mail after the conference meeting; subsequently the necessary votes materialized and the measure was declared passed. Several canon lawyers have stated categorically that this procedure was illegal.
While I don’t believe that there is anything inherently wrong in receiving in the hand…I do think that this custom has contributed to the casual way in which the Eucharist is treated today. For instance, we have pro-abortion politicians who publicly receive. We have a large percentage of Catholics who do not believe in the Real Presence.

 

[mangy_dog]

Just something that I was thinking of, and thinking about it, I decided to just throw this down here.

I know that most Traditional Masses are performed with people kneeling and receiving the Host on the tongue. Now, my Mass is always an NO Mass, with people either allowed to take the Host on the tongue or in the hand.

I’ve always received the Host in the hand, reverently, imagining my hands as a throne for the Lord.

I’ve also always had horrible fantasies of dropping the Host, or choking, or sneezing or coughing and accidentally spitting out the Host.

I find the prospect of receiving on the tongue terrifying because I’m convinced I’m going to end up dropping the Host, or it’ll just slip off. I’m also a little afraid of seeing pretentious, since not everyone receives on the tongue, and I don’t want to seem too uppity. I’m not so great that I’m special - only the Lord is special during the Mass.

How likely is it that the Host would slip off one’s tongue? What happens if the Host does come off?

I know that one can be excommunicated for willfully spitting out the Host or the Precious Blood, but how does one handle an accidental dropping?

I used to be a Eucharistic Minister (I need to join back up to service) and my job 99% of the time was to serve the Precious Blood (to which I have a special devotion). I never really feared spitting out the Blood by accident. Just the Host.

I want to honor Jesus, so it’s a little scary to imagine taking the Host on the tongue and realizing it slipped off before I can swallow it!

Keep it simple tabsie,

Accidents will happen regardless. If you feel inclined to recieve on the tongue, then just do it. Make sure that your scrupulosity doesn’t get the better of you. Some people approach, say amen and barely open their mouths and barely stick out their tongues.

No one else is attached to you…the things you do in church you do them in humility and without pretense. Don’t worry about this, that and the other thing…those are just distractions.

I recieve on the tongue and I don’t care who is watching or not. I answer the prayers of the priest and I sing and do other external signs without regard to what “they” will say or if “someone is looking”.

Internalize your sprirituality and your devotion…just you and the Lord.

 

[rein_me_in_Lord]

DihydrogenOxide wrote:
“The alter boys will hopefully be able to catch the Host with the Communion Plate, if you ever do allow it to slip.”

I haven’t seen a paten used in an NO service—neither by the altar boys nor the altar girls. Here again, the issue of reverence raises its head. The reason patens are used in the TLM is that the doctrine of The Real Presence is uppermost in the minds of those participating in the Eucharist of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and dropping a Host of that Eucharist on the floor would be no small matter. That is not to say that none of the NO adherents believe in that doctrine, but doesn’t the absence of a paten say something to you about the level of concern over the possibility that a host might drop on the floor?

 

[malphono]

I haven’t seen a paten used in an NO service—neither by the altar boys nor the altar girls. … but doesn’t the absence of a paten say something to you about the level of concern over the possibility that a host might drop on the floor?

Perhaps you haven’t seen it, but to be fair, whether patens are used in the OF depends on the locale. Some churches actually do use them. And some churches (often the same ones) also have altar boys exclusively.