What is the proper procedure when taking and after taking Communion?

[Water_of_Life]

At my first Holy Communion, I bowed the first time I received Communion, and it was requested that I refrain from it. Our parish had a new priest now, and he thankfully encourages full reverence for the Body and Blood.

 

[OraLabora]

The proper procedure while receiving: be reverent, especially of the heart.

The proper procedure after receiving: give thanks and pray!

It really is that simple. Don’t be swayed by people who will tell you what you should do. Simply follow the procedure established for the diocese or conference of bishops of where you’re attending Mass, and do it reverently (if in a foreign diocese, observe what others do). If they allow optionally receiving standing or kneeling and on the tongue or in the hand, do it the way you believe is most reverent for you, taking into consideration any physical limitations/infirmities you have (falling over while trying to get on or off your knees is likely to be distracting to proper reverence! So would be receiving in the hand if you have a hand tremor! )

What the Church allows is the most anyone can demand of you. You need not feel guilty if you do what’s allowed, even if others opine you should do it differently.

 

[ProVobis]

See, even some people who receive on the tongue do it all wrong.

Instruction is needed for both, it seems.

 

[JimG]

Just a small change in terminology should be observed. One does not “take” communion. One “receives” communion.

 

[ProVobis]

Just a small change in terminology should be observed. One does not “take” communion. One “receives” communion.

But in the new translation, it is “Take and eat.”

Gone is the old translation which had “Lord I am not worthy to receive.”

Perhaps we should have just stuck to the Latin “Accipite” from which the English “accept” comes from. “Take” would be “Capite” and “receive” would be “recipite” or “suscipite.”

 

[Halligator]

The only other rule I know of: for those who choose to receive in both forms by intinction (dipping the consecrated host into the consecrated blood, then consuming both together): the communicant lets the priest (or Eucharistic minister) take the host from the communicant’s cupped hands…the minister then dips the host into the wine for you…and places the wine wetted host on your tongue. You’re not supposed to dip and swallow it yourself, as many of our Protestant brothers and sisters do.

I’ve never been a big fan of intinction as a usual means of receiving communion, anyway. It seems way more complicated than receiving the two forms separately. And although I’m no theologian, “separate” makes more sense to my wee brain. (As does using red wine rather than white, as one nearby parish does…I know it doesn’t really matter, but it still bothers me a little.)

At my parish, about 80% receive the host only. I’ve been to many parishes where the priest and Eucahristic ministers are the only ones offered the Blood.

Arthur

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Just a small change in terminology should be observed. One does not “take” communion. One “receives” communion.

And I never tire of pointing out that this usage (“take”) is a figure of speech that in no way is intended to be disrespectful. Perhaps it is a regional usage, but I hear people say things such as “I don’t take the daily paper.” That doesn’t mean they don’t physically pick it up, it means they don’t subscribe to it, don’t receive it.

 

[ccmcmg]

After praying while in line to receive, after the person in front of me moves to the side after receiving, I bow, and step forward. As instructed recently by a beloved priest for those receiving on the tongue, I then say ‘Amen’ as I look at the Eucharist, close my eyes and open my mouth. He advised doing it that way, so that you aren’t tempted to move ‘into’ the priest’s hands, but instead he can place the Eucharist in your mouth. He told us to receive as little children, with trust and reverence.

For the Blood of Christ, I also bow after the person in front of me moves to the side, and receive the Cup, obviously with my eyes open!

Returning to my pew, I pray, and occasionally, sing with the Communion Hymn.

 

[pcronin]

Here is what I do (or think I should be doing). I walk up to the priest or the layman who is distributing the Eucharist. After he/she proclaims “The body of Christ” I respond with an “amen” as I bow my head and raise my cupped hands so that he/she may place the Eucharist there. I place the bread in my mouth and begin to chew. As I chew, I step to the side, do a sign-of-the-cross, and walk back to my seat. I then pray (if time permits) three of the Lord’s Prayers, three Hail Mary’s, and 3 Glory Be’s.

First of all, is the procedure I described here something that I should continue doing? If not, then what is the proper procedure. By the way, I am of the Roman Rite. I thank you all in advance.

 

[Joannm]

As someone who has the privilege of distributing the Eucharist, I can tell you that the variations are many. There is of course the prescribed right hand under left; there are the “mid-air snatch and grabs;” there are the V-shaped hands where it is unclear just which hand is the safest to use; there are the teenage girls (always teenage girls) whose palms are 80% under a sweater sleeve; there are the folks who choose to receive on the tongue but who open their mouths so little that a dental tool couldn’t get in there, and there’s no tongue to be seen; and there are the pop-it-in-the-mouth folks. And there are more besides…

I know exactly what you are saying. I have encountered so many different ways that people receive. The worst are the slurpers who, no matter how you try to avoid their lips, always seem to slurp your fingers when you place the host on their tongue. Usually it is older men. I have had several discussions with priests and other Ems and they agree that there is really no way to avoid this when it happens. The thing is now you have someone’s spit on your fingers and you have to keep distributing the Eucharist. I’ve tried switching to distributing with my left hand when this happens.

 

[paperwight66]

. The thing is now you have someone’s spit on your fingers and you have to keep distributing the Eucharist. I’ve tried switching to distributing with my left hand when this happens.

Yes, I switch to my left hand, while secretly wiping my fingers on my jacket (gross, I know, but my jackets are washable, and what else can one do?). until I judge my fingers are dry, then switch back.

Incidentally, one or two have mentioned ‘cupping’ their hands. The better way is to have them almost flat, as otherwise there isn’t a safe platform on which the EMHC can place the Host.

 

[Scottgun]

Making the Sign of the Cross is not required, but certainly not forbidden either.