What is the norm for receiving the Eucharist in the US?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CRUSADER_KING
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CRUSADER_KING

Guest
What exactly is the norm for receiving the Eucharist in the United States? On the tongue? In the hand? Kneeling? I’m not complaining, I just want to know.

Please don’t turn this into a debate about which way is better. Be civilized.

Thanks
 
CRUSADER_KING said:
What exactly is the norm for receiving the Eucharist in the United States? On the tongue? In the hand? Kneeling? I’m not complaining, I just want to know.

Please don’t turn this into a debate about which way is better. Be civilized.

Thanks
Click to expand...
From the USCCB website:

"The General Instruction asks each country’s Conference of Bishops to determine the posture to be used for the reception of Communion and the act of reverence to be made by each person as he or she receives Communion. In the United States, the body of Bishops determined that Communion should be received standing, and that a bow is the act of reverence made by those receiving. These norms may require some adjustment on the part of those who have been used to other practices, however the significance of unity in posture and gesture as a symbol of our unity as members of the one body of Christ should be the governing factor in our own actions.

Those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. If one is right handed the left hand should rest upon the right. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing."

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-reception-of-holy-communion-at-mass.cfm

As am I sure you are aware, receiving on the tongue, kneeling at the altar rail, is how Holy Communion is received for those attending the Mass in EF. Eastern Catholic’s attending the Divine Liturgy will usually receive from the spoon. Mass in the Ordinary Form has communicants receiving either on the tongue or in the hand, either kneeling or standing, as stated in the above quote.

I see that you are new here…as you probably have noticed from your poll thread, certain topics on this forum get very heated, very quickly. Reception of Communion, music for liturgy, and women’s headcoverings are among those topics. 😉
 
In my parish, the children are taught at the local school and in CCD to receive ONLY on their hands.

I receive only on the tongue.
 
CRUSADER_KING said:
What exactly is the norm for receiving the Eucharist in the United States? On the tongue? In the hand? Kneeling? I’m not complaining, I just want to know.

Please don’t turn this into a debate about which way is better. Be civilized.

Thanks
Click to expand...
The official ‘norm’ is to receive standing unless an individual wishes to receive kneeling. Holy Communion can be recieved either on the tongue or in the hand at the discretion of the communicant.

Now, I can argue that we, in the US, in truth do not have permission to receive on the hand. If you would like to know more, just ask.

God Love you
 
As for what you would see at a typical OF Mass, most people receive in the hand. In some parishes this is almost universal, in some parishes you have a greater number receiving on the tongue.

I typically receive on the tongue while standing and have never encountered a problem at home or elsewhere, but when traveling I’m normally visiting parishes that accommodate lots of other travelers, so they are very used to it.
 
Depends on the design of the church I imagine…ours its three lines, two abreast up the aisles, priest at center line, LEM’s at the other two. Most recieve it in the left hand, put it on their tongue with the right, then step off to another LEM with the Chalice for the Blood. A few take it on their tongues directly. My wife, an Episcopalian goes up about once a month and keeps her hands folded across her chest for a blessing (as do many young children).

Tonight I was watching to see how many blessed themselves after recieving, it was actually only about three or four out of fifty or so…

It is interesting, every few weeks the primary priest explains this procedure for non-catholics and ‘apologizes’ for want of a better word that they cannot take the eucharist, and ads he looks forward to the day they might be able to do so. Probably not anytime soon I imagine. (Please - I’m not trying to start a debate, just mentioning how eucharist goes at my church!)
 
CRUSADER_KING said:
What exactly is the norm for receiving the Eucharist in the United States? On the tongue? In the hand? Kneeling? I’m not complaining, I just want to know.

Please don’t turn this into a debate about which way is better. Be civilized.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Frankly…it is by personal preference generally.

I always receive on the tongue, but most in my parish and diocese receive in the hand. I occasionally see people kneel and receive on the tongue. It is entirely up to you.
 
Crusaderbear said:
Okay, how come everyone else gets away with what, to me are random acronyms, and I get called! 🙂

LEM lay eucharistic minister. I’ve been considering suggesting a UNA (use no acronyms) to the mods - don’ t make me do it! 🤔🤔🤔
Click to expand...
If you had used EMHC, it would have been fine. 😃

Generally no problem with acronyms for common Catholic phrases (OF, EF, CCE, DRE, EMHC, etc.). The problem comes when you make up a new phrase and give it an acronym. There is no such thing as a “lay Eucharistic Minister”. A Eucharistic Minister, by definition, is one who confects the Eucharist - a priest or a bishop.
 
No LEM’s anymore…I was one in the Navy. I thought it was a generally accepted term… I think I actually seved the purpose maybe once or twice while at sea. I miss the 80’s.
Sorry!
 
CRUSADER_KING said:
What exactly is the norm for receiving the Eucharist in the United States? On the tongue? In the hand? Kneeling? I’m not complaining, I just want to know.

Please don’t turn this into a debate about which way is better. Be civilized.

Thanks
Click to expand...
The norm is standing. On the tongue is the preferred, but you can receive in the hand. Kneeling is allowed.

No one may keep you from receiving on the tongue, no one can prevent you kneeling.
 
Crusaderbear said:
Depends on the design of the church I imagine…ours its three lines, two abreast up the aisles, priest at center line, LEM’s at the other two. Most recieve it in the left hand, put it on their tongue with the right, then step off to another LEM with the Chalice for the Blood. A few take it on their tongues directly. My wife, an Episcopalian goes up about once a month and keeps her hands folded across her chest for a blessing (as do many young children).

Tonight I was watching to see how many blessed themselves after recieving, it was actually only about three or four out of fifty or so…

It is interesting, every few weeks the primary priest explains this procedure for non-catholics and ‘apologizes’ for want of a better word that they cannot take the eucharist, and ads he looks forward to the day they might be able to do so. Probably not anytime soon I imagine. (Please - I’m not trying to start a debate, just mentioning how eucharist goes at my church!)
Click to expand...
Lay Ecclesial Ministers? That’s what a LEM is.
What are you talking about?
 
phil19034 said:
The norm is standing. On the tongue is the preferred, but you can receive in the hand. Kneeling is allowed.

No one may keep you from receiving on the tongue, no one can prevent you kneeling.
Click to expand...
Exactly.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top