The Holy Eucharist fell out of my mouth!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter MaryEllen1951
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Thank you all for your answers and comments.

I have researched this a lot and read in several places that receiving on the tongue is the preferred way to receive, although receiving in the hand is acceptable. For me personally, I have felt that receiving from the priest’s consecrated hands is of the utmost reverence. There have been circumstances when I received in the hand, such as when the flu was going around during my stay in Florida and they requested everyone to receive in the hand. But generally I am moved strongly to receive on the tongue. Never did I expect anything to happen like what I just experienced, and it threw me so off guard.

I have a Holy Hour of Adoration scheduled this week on Wednesday and on Friday, and I am going to pray about it to the Lord since the situation still bothers me. I don’t want to receive in the hand only because I am ‘scared’. Jesus, I trust in you!

Thanks again. At least this brought up some good discussion and awareness to others.
 
This is a bit of a digression re the thread title,however I want to share it .
A few years ago I was in line to receive the Eucharist behind a mother with a toddler.As the EU reached down to bless the little boy,he proceeded to reach into the chalice obtaining the Euchrist and grabbed an entire handful! Trying to pry open the hands of a toddler is a job in and of itself, fortunately none of the Eucharist dropped to the floor but it was an interesting few minutes to say the least:eek:
 
Jeanne_S said:
This is a bit of a digression re the thread title,however I want to share it .
A few years ago I was in line to receive the Eucharist behind a mother with a toddler.As the EU reached down to bless the little boy,he proceeded to reach into the chalice obtaining the Euchrist and grabbed an entire handful! Trying to pry open the hands of a toddler is a job in and of itself, fortunately none of the Eucharist dropped to the floor but it was an interesting few minutes to say the least:eek:
Click to expand...
What does EU stand for?
 
Solomonson said:
Things happen. If this bothers you that much, please consider a more secure means in which to receive Holy Communion – communion in hand.
Click to expand...
Receiving in the hand is certainly not “more secure” than receiving on the tongue. The host being dropped can happen in either method. I prefer to receive on the tongue and once the host fell out. I still receive on the tongue. I never once considered changing my preference.

While it was a horrible feeling, having dropped the Body of Christ, having someone tell me I wasn’t taking the “security” of the Body of Christ seriously or was somehow wrong would only made it worse.
 
Horton said:
Receiving in the hand is certainly not “more secure” than receiving on the tongue. The host being dropped can happen in either method. I prefer to receive on the tongue and once the host fell out. I still receive on the tongue. I never once considered changing my preference.

While it was a horrible feeling, having dropped the Body of Christ, having someone tell me I wasn’t taking the “security” of the Body of Christ seriously or was somehow wrong would only made it worse.
Click to expand...
👍
 
Memaw said:
That is not necessarily the most secure way to receive Holy Communion, I set in the front row on Sunday mornings, I am usually the second one to receive and for over 25 years, ( I have a Holy Hour during Mass and that is where we set.) I have never seen anyone who has received on the tongue loose the Host, but I have seen many who receive on the hand drop it. And I have seen many stick out one hand to take the Host. Even children. The EMHC always gives it to them but I have never seen a priest do it, they always tell them to hold their hands properly. I have also seen priests give it to them on the tongue cause they are juggling a baby or are elderly and unsteady. I have seen EMHCs pick up fallen Hosts and put them back in. I have seen EMHCs allow the people to dip the Host into the Precious Blood also. Seems our EMHCs are not well instructed. It’s not always the fault of the one receiving !!! Some EMHCs also give those who fold their hands a Blessing. Seems we could ALL use a little reminding once in awhile on how to receive Holy Communion properly. I have NEVER seen a priest leave the Communion line to wash his hands. God Bless, Memaw
Click to expand...
That has not been my experience – even though at least 90% of the communicants receive in their hands at my parish.

Catechesis on how to receive communion (in any way) is very important.
 
Horton said:
Receiving in the hand is certainly not “more secure” than receiving on the tongue. The host being dropped can happen in either method. I prefer to receive on the tongue and once the host fell out. I still receive on the tongue. I never once considered changing my preference.

While it was a horrible feeling, having dropped the Body of Christ, having someone tell me I wasn’t taking the “security” of the Body of Christ seriously or was somehow wrong would only made it worse.
Click to expand...
It’s been my experience that it is – particularly when it comes to older clerics whose hands shake. In those places where both methods are up to the communicant, either method is obviously OK, but those seeking the most secure methods would seek receiving in their hands.
 
Solomonson said:
That has not been my experience – even though at least 90% of the communicants receive in their hands at my parish.

Catechesis on how to receive communion (in any way) is very important.
Click to expand...
Your welcome to come set in the front row with me. One even slipped and spilled some of the Precious Blood and in an attempt to wipe it up just smeared it around. After Mass I brought this to the attention of our Priest and he was shocked and immediately got alter wine, poured it around and then carefully wiped it up. God Bless, Memaw
 
Horton said:
Receiving in the hand is certainly not “more secure” than receiving on the tongue. The host being dropped can happen in either method. I prefer to receive on the tongue and once the host fell out. I still receive on the tongue. I never once considered changing my preference.

While it was a horrible feeling, having dropped the Body of Christ, having someone tell me I wasn’t taking the “security” of the Body of Christ seriously or was somehow wrong would only made it worse.
Click to expand...
Sure it is. Just stop and consider the mechanics involved in distributing Holy Communion on someone’s tongue, versus their onto their hands. In the US we have a choice on how to received and that’s fine. I was just suggesting that the OP might choose to employ the most secure method of the two.
 
Memaw said:
Your welcome to come set in the front row with me. One even slipped and spilled some of the Precious Blood and in an attempt to wipe it up just smeared it around. After Mass I brought this to the attention of our Priest and he was shocked and immediately got alter wine, poured it around and then carefully wiped it up. God Bless, Memaw
Click to expand...
Not only do I sit up front, I routinely distribute Holy Communion. Distributing communion on someone elses tongue is an interesting process. It differs wildly. Some open their mouths quite wide and stick out their moist tongues. May God bless these people!

Others barely open their mouths and the process becomes much more like feeding a coin into a slot. Far higher risk of dropping the host. Then there are the “nippers.” They barely open their mouths, but when they do, they’ll nip at anything (hosts, fingertips, etc.) that comes even remotely close to their mouths. I’ve had 1/3 of a host nipped away while the balance either ended up on the floor or in my hand when I have been fortunate enough to arrest its descent.

There are those with dry tongues that make the secure placement of the host far more improbable. Then there are those that “lean in” as you’re placing the host on their tongues, leaving one with moist fingers (part of the ministry.)

Finally the hand/eye coordination required to place hosts on someone’s tongue is far greater than in their hands. Some people – particularly older clerics struggle here.

It’s odd that no one ever talks about the difficulties faced when distributing communion on the tongue.
 
Solomonson said:
Not only do I sit up front, I routinely distribute Holy Communion. Distributing communion on someone elses tongue is an interesting process. It differs wildly. Some open their mouths quite wide and stick out their moist tongues. May God bless these people!

Others barely open their mouths and the process becomes much more like feeding a coin into a slot. Far higher risk of dropping the host. Then there are the “nippers.” They barely open their mouths, but when they do, they’ll nip at anything (hosts, fingertips, etc.) that comes even remotely close to their mouths. I’ve had 1/3 of a host nipped away while the balance either ended up on the floor or in my hand when I have been fortunate enough to arrest its descent.

There are those with dry tongues that make the secure placement of the host far more improbable. Then there are those that “lean in” as you’re placing the host on their tongues, leaving one with moist fingers (part of the ministry.)

Finally the hand/eye coordination required to place hosts on someone’s tongue is far greater than in their hands. Some people – particularly older clerics struggle here.

It’s odd that no one ever talks about the difficulties faced when distributing communion on the tongue.
Click to expand...
That is exactly why I said before that we need instructions on both sides on receiving Holy Communion properly. Maybe this forum will help educate some on both sides. God Bless, Memaw
 
It could happen even in the most “reverant” or controlled circumstance. I once was in the Communion line in a Byzantine parish, priest distributing by intinction with spoon, and the Sacred Elements fell out between the priest and the communicants mouth.
 
Solomonson said:
It’s been my experience that it is – particularly when it comes to older clerics whose hands shake. In those places where both methods are up to the communicant, either method is obviously OK,** but those seeking the most secure methods would seek receiving in their hands**.
Click to expand...
Solomonson said:
Sure it is. Just stop and consider the mechanics involved in distributing Holy Communion on someone’s tongue, versus their onto their hands. In the US we have a choice on how to received and that’s fine. I was just suggesting that the OP might choose to employ the most secure method of the two.
Click to expand...
You are just wrong here.

Think about the mechanics of receiving on the hand. Place hand in appropriate manner to create a throne, make a bow, put hands at the right height & distance, say amen, move dominate hand from below non dominate hand, pick up host, then place in your mouth, all before leaving the sight of the Priest, Deacon or EMHC.

Mechanics of receiving on the tongue. Keep hands at a lower level indicating you are receiving on the tongue, make a bow, step up to the Priest, Deacon, or EMHC, say amen, open mouth & stick out tongue. If a communicant is making it difficult to place the host, then the minster should give a quick bit of direction such as move closer, open your mouth, stick you tongue out further.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top