Terrified of receiving on the tongue

[SophieG]

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?

I wouldn’t think so. I’ve never ever seen a Host fall or get dropped. It just doesn’t seem that likely.

 

[ProVobis]

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?

Actually it’s a little more than that. I have heard the paten was supposed to catch all the microscopic/atomic elements of the Body and Blood of Christ as it is being transported from the ciborium to the mouth. The progressives, of course, disagree, so elimination of the paten was another way to stab the traditionalists.

 

[06convert]

I’m an EMHC and although most people recieve on the hand, a few recieve on the tounge. From my standpoint I’m just trying to get the host in their mouth without having my hand licked. . It sounds weird, but practice opening your mouth correctly in the mirror. Some people make it very difficult to get the host in there. That being said, the host is very dry. So as soon as it touches the persons tounge it kind of sticks, so there isn’t a huge issue with dropping it.

 

[tabsie3210]

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.

:bigyikes:

He did what?! That’s the most horrible thing I’ve ever heard of!!!

 

[tabsie3210]

Anyway, thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut so far.

Thus far, I’m still receiving in the hand (I wish I could kneel! Being so much taller than the EMHCs is a hardship in this one area) but I’m still having issues with my fears of dropping the host, which is why I’m working toward receiving on the tongue.

We don’t have many altar boys and girls, unfortunately, and I have no idea what a paten is! Gah! We do have two adult accolytes (did I misspell that again?) who help distribute the Eucharist, so that’s good, and Father wants everyone to treat the Host with deep reverence (we get two scheduled lectures annually, plus a few off-the-cuff lecturs through the year, concerning the Real Presence of Christ in the Host - he gets mad if he thinks you don’t believe in the Real Presence!), so it’s not like we’re a “liberal” church.

Fact is, the church I attend wasn’t as strict as it is now back when Father Charlie took it over, and now it’s becoming more and more strict - Father gets annoyed (but not mad) if you genuflecture on Good Friday when the Tabernacle is open and empty; before he became the full-time pastor there, we didn’t have the pretty Tabernacle we do now, and I don’t think it was out in full view. Father’s VERY protective and VERY commanding about the Host.

I guess I just want to love God as much as He deserves, and I feel like I’m falling flat, because I don’t love Him as much as I ought to. Father Charlie says that nobody loves God appropriately in life, and only when we meet Him will we be able to put aside our sins and love God fully. I hope so. That’s what I want more than anything.

 

[paperwight]

Actually it’s a little more than that. I have heard the paten was supposed to catch all the microscopic/atomic elements of the Body and Blood of Christ as it is being transported from the ciborium to the mouth. QUOTE

Well, the problem with that line of reasoning is the procedure if a Host is unusable for some reason - for example, we had one poor person vomit after Communion.

As no doubt you know, in those circumstances , the Host is to be dissolved in tap-water until it no longer resembles the wafer, then poured away on to the ground. Or burnt, if too mixed with the vomit to be recognisable or retrievable. (Sorry if that’s TMI). I have seen my previous Parish Priest, a Canon no less so he must have known the correct way of doing things, making a little bonfire of the tissues that had been used to clean up the mess, including the remains of Holy Communion.

The same with the Precious Blood - it is to be diluted until it no longer resembles wine.

So the Real Presence is ‘under the form of bread and wine’; once It is no longer recognisable as bread and wine, there is no Real Presence.

In what sense are microscopic/atomic elements recognisable as bread and wine? If the Real Presence is in the atoms, then the dissolved Host is still the Body, and the diluted former Precious Blood still the Precious Blood. Remember, we are not told to go the lengths of using a microscope when discerning the appearance of bread and wine, just, presumably to use our own eyes.

 

[a83192]

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!

There is no need to be scared. It will not fall. if it does it will not be your fault.

 

[ProVobis]

I’m an EMHC and although most people recieve on the hand, a few recieve on the tounge. From my standpoint I’m just trying to get the host in their mouth without having my hand licked. . It sounds weird, but practice opening your mouth correctly in the mirror. Some people make it very difficult to get the host in there. That being said, the host is very dry. So as soon as it touches the persons tounge it kind of sticks, so there isn’t a huge issue with dropping it.

With proper sized “hosts” and right techniques you should have no problem getting the “host in there.” When I served Mass in the pre-Vatican II, I watched the priest distribute communion to thousands of all ages without any problems.

I can understand the problem when parishes use these large and somewhat sweetened “hosts.” I receive “one” like that today.

 

[colincatholic]

Hey, relax, people’ve been doing it for 2,000 years without problems.

No they havn’t. Perhaps for a thousand years or so, but the result of a misguided church directive to help prevent profanity. It is a disgusting and dangerously unhealthy practice, leading to the very real possibility of spreading infections. Praise God that the Church has seen fit to allow reception of the Most Holy Sacrament on the hand. If it were not for the fact that I detest any unnecessasary regulation, I would be delighted if reception on the tongue were totaly forbidden.

 

[Flos_Campi]

Was it the Council of Trent that ruled the receiving of the Host on the tongue ?
and why was that ruling made? Not that I am at all opposed to taking communion on the tongue, I would like to know more about the origins of this ruling.

 

[ProVobis]

No they havn’t. Perhaps for a thousand years or so, but the result of a misguided church directive to help prevent profanity. It is a disgusting and dangerously unhealthy practice, leading to the very real possibility of spreading infections.

So you think your hands are always germfree and never filthy, is that what you’re trying to say? I think you need some classroom help but quick.

 

[paperwight]

So you think your hands are always germfree and never filthy, is that what you’re trying to say? I think you need some classroom help but quick.

No, my hands are never germ-free. An exagerration to call any Mass-goers hands ‘filthy’, though, surely? If there are worries about rransferring germs from the hands to the mouth, a sanitiser can be discreetly used before receiving, anyway.

But there’s no way we can prevent other people’s spittle being introduced into our mouths if the minister’s hands have been contaminated.

I am an EMHC, and if my fingers get licked or brushed against, I am careful to surreptiously wipe them on my jacket (and that’s pretty gross and I hate it but try not to let my face show any distaste) before giving the Host to the next in line. I can’t guarantee everybody does, though. And. as someone pointed out, what about the germs on the fingers from someone breathing on them?

 

[ProVobis]

Was it the Council of Trent that ruled the receiving of the Host on the tongue ?
and why was that ruling made? Not that I am at all opposed to taking communion on the tongue, I would like to know more about the origins of this ruling.

Not that I know of, but consider the following:

Furthermore, if one does receive Communion on the hand, there is always the danger that particles may be remain in the hand. The Council of Trent infallibly teaches that Our Blessed Lord is truly present even in the particles as well: “If anyone denies that in the venerable sacrament of the Eucharist the whole Christ is contained under each form and under every part of each form when separated, let him be anathema” (Chapter VIII, Canon 3). For this reason the priest always purifies his hands of particles at the end of Mass, and uses a corporal (a small white cloth meant to catch the corpus, or body, of Our Lord).

catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=31755

The Sacred Council of Trent declared that the custom of only the priest who is celebrating the Mass giving Communion to himself (with his own hands), and the laity receiving it from him, is an Apostolic Tradition.1

catholic-pages.com/mass/inhand.asp

 

[mick321]

No they havn’t. Perhaps for a thousand years or so, but the result of a misguided church directive to help prevent profanity. It is a disgusting and dangerously unhealthy practice, leading to the very real possibility of spreading infections. Praise God that the Church has seen fit to allow reception of the Most Holy Sacrament on the hand. If it were not for the fact that I detest any unnecessasary regulation, I would be delighted if reception on the tongue were totaly forbidden.

Have you ever received Holy Communion on the tongue? If so, what health complications resulted? Did you require hospitalization? Last rights?

If you believe that reception of *Our *Lord Jesus Christ according to the long established norm of the His Church is such “…a disgusting and dangerously unhealthy practice…” , what brings you to this forum?

Did you have religious beliefs before your conversion to novus ordo catholicism? Would the total abolition of communion-in-the-hand be such a deal breaker that you would be inclined to return?

 

[ProVobis]

Was it the Council of Trent that ruled the receiving of the Host on the tongue ?

My feeling is that in the 22 years of this council in session, it didn’t appear that communion in the hand was an issue. I would only conclude even the Reformists didn’t consider it.

 

[PJM]

=tabsie3210;6014524]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?

***My dear friend in Christ.

I take you’re concerns very seriously.

Keep in mind that receiving on ones tongue continues to be the NORM in The Universal World wide Catholic Church.

Also this was common practice for MANY hundredas of years. It is not a new, untried innovation.

Mass and most especially Holy Communion is about you and the God that Created you and keeps you in existence. NO THOUGHT should be give therefore to what others “think.”

When Communion is received on the tongue, it is RECEIVING Jesus. While taking Jesus who is God into ones hands is TAKING Jesus. Different theologies and degrees of reverence which is why His Holiness demands kneeling and on the tongue, when He distributes Christ.

I’m 65 and have atteneded daily Mass for many years. Only once have I seen a Host dropped, and that was by a old and sickly priest. Because the Sacred Host is textured, it naturally sticks to the tongue [even if the mouth is “dry.”] May I humbly suggest what a priest advised a few years ago. Before Holy Communion, ask our Blessed Mother to join you in receiving Her Son Jesus, so He will have a Perfect Abode [home] and be assured that Mary will help you receive Her Son worthily.

Rely o Mary’s help and God’s grace and you’ll do just fine.

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?

What shoulsd happen [but likely will not] is a “purificator” clothe is placed over the spot, which is later to be cleaned. The host is usually picked up and consumed by the priest.
Do not bend down to quickly to pick it up, as you may bang heads.

Allow the priest to place another Sacred Host on you’re tongue.

Rely on Christ and as he tells us; “Do Not be Afraid!”… I Am WITH YOU!

Just close you eyes, open you’re mouth and stick out you’re tongue. The priest will place it securely in you’re mouth.**

Love and prayers,

Pat

 

[truevaticanii]

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!

"[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice,[178] if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. HOWEVER, SPECIAL CARE should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that NO ONE goes away CARRYING the EUCHARISTIC SPECIES in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should NOT BE GIVEN IN THE HAND to the faithful.[179] -

[93.] The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.[180]

Redemptionis Sacramentum:
vatican.va/roman_curia/co…mentum_en.html

The norm for reception of Holy Communion for the Church has remained on the tongue and while kneeling… the Conference of Bishops in the US (currently the USCCB) hag asked for the norm to be changed to in the hands while standing for some strange reason… their request was granted by an indult supposedly granted by H.H. Pope Paul VI, though I have heard that it may have been granted merely by another from the Holy See… I have no proof of either H.H. Pope Paul VI actually being the one who allowed this… and i have no proof that it was not him…"

-http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=405170

 

[cecilia97]

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.

Hi Tabsie,

I’m in the Clear Lake area. Please visit my OF parish sometime, where we have many who receive on the tongue and, thanks be to God, an acolyte with a paten at the head of each communion line.

I switched to receiving on the tongue about a year ago and have never ONCE regretted it. I had all the same fears before I started. Tip your chin up, stick your tongue out a little further than you think is necessary, and hold your hands clasped at waist level so the EMHC gets the point. You’ll do fine. I’ve never seen a Host fall from someone’s mouth.

I know that receiving in the hand is fine in our diocese, but I feel blessed to be able to receive on the tongue. I don’t have to worry about Our Lord falling and being trampled underfoot in small pieces, and I feel more like I am receiving than taking the Precious Body..

ps…In the RARE event that the Host should fall from your mouth, it’s easy. Pick the Host up and consume, or allow the EMHC or priest to help you.

God bless,

 

[ProVobis]

"… If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should NOT BE GIVEN IN THE HAND to the faithful.[179] -

This is what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[PJM]

=paperwight;6018154]

, B]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. It does not exist in the greater part of the world. For example, for a while it was allowed in the Philippines, but then the bishops there changed their minds, and rescinded the permission.

QUOTE

Actually, this is not true, It was established on another thread that CITH is available in the majority of the world, and is taken up by most laity.

The Philippines are only a small part of the world. Can you name any other countries where CITH is not available, which together make up ‘the greater part of the world’?

***My dear friend in Christ,

As I indicated in an eariler post the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council spefically debated, addressed and voted on both the issue of Communion in the hand and Communion under both species. Both issues were SOUNDLY DEFEATED; as in turned down! One vote nearly 75% said NO! and the other vote about 65% said NO!

The idults granted were AFTER THE FACT of delibert disobedience and “mandated” [only no one can show where] by the “spirit” of V II, and FORCED COMPLIANCE by the body of American bishops. NOT approved by Rome.

So friend, you’re saying; “MIGHT MAKES RIGHT”:***shrug:

Love and prayers,

Pat