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myheaven1967
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My mother went to a presentation yesterday that caught her attention. When I texted her last night and asked how it was, she done not great.
Then we got a change to talk this morning, and her "not great" literally gave me chills and goosebumps!
She reiterated to me what the Blessed Mother wanted of us, things we should know etc.
One of the things she mentioned was taking Communion by way of mouth versus touching the Host.
Stupidly enough, I do not know how to do this.
Do you stick out your tongue? Just open your mouth? What?
Yes, this is a real question and yes, I am actually perplexed over it.
Thank you for reading and responding.
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Jill: Wife to Kurt, mother to 1 dd and 4 ds
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JodieLyn
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Yes, open your mouth and yes stick out your tongue a little.
Yes it feels horribly awkward at first. But I've had babes in arms for years and when I was juggling the first few realized that I HAD to get over that.
Now I'm feeling awkward with what to do with my hands now that all my kids want to walk rather than me needing to carry someone. They teach the kids here to hold their hands together flat as for praying.. I don't generally manage that but hold my hands together at my waist if I happen to have both hands free. I do still direct small children or hold their hands so I don't always have my hands entirely free.
Anyway, I'm a convert so you know all of this was horribly awkward feeling as an adult. I really encourage my kids to recieve on the tongue now (not require it though) so that they don't run into this when they're grown and potentially juggling their own babies. Think how much easier something is when you grow up doing it than when you learn it as an adult. 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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myheaven1967
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Thank you so much. Then I will just "plan" to carry my toddler with me instead of making him walk! LOL
What a way to convert myself.
Hubby is converting now, going through the classes. I am SOOOO excited he is doing this.
Thank you!
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Jill: Wife to Kurt, mother to 1 dd and 4 ds
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DominaCaeli
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We go to the TLM, where all receive on the tongue. I heard a tip told to children by one of our priests: he suggested leaning the head back slightly, opening the mouth, and the sticking out your tongue and relaxing it so that it rests on your bottom lip. This makes it easiest for the priest. Hope that helps--I know it was helpful for me to hear the details of how to do it during that awkward phase. 
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myheaven1967
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Thank you Celeste, it does indeed help. Will our Priest wonder when I change how I receive Communion?
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Jill: Wife to Kurt, mother to 1 dd and 4 ds
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roomintheheart
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It is a very personal decision whether to receive on the tongue or in the hand. I defer to the Church, specifically my bishop, concerning whether it is wrong to receive in the hand. The bishop says it is okay, so I don't feel guilty doing so. Again, it's a personal decision, and I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do.
"The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. . . . The priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, Corpus Christi (the body of Christ). The communicant replies Amen and receives the sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed and if the communicant so chooses, in the hand (GIRM 160–161)."
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myheaven1967
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It is a personal decision you are so right.
But what if your personal choice, changed to you want to receive it on the tongue? But are nervous? Almost afraid....?
Jill
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JennGM
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I have practiced sticking my tongue out in front of the mirror. If you watch some communicants there are different tongue approaches, some better than others. So practice makes perfect -- you can see how a flatter tongue and open mouth would make it easier for the host to rest.
In our parish we have Eucharistic ministers who are not comfortable with communion on the tongue -- they are trying hard not to touch the tongue. With those ministers I find I have to keep my tongue out longer and as still as I can.
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JennGM
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roomintheheart wrote:
It is a very personal decision whether to receive on the tongue or in the hand. I defer to the Church, specifically my bishop, concerning whether it is wrong to receive in the hand. The bishop says it is okay, so I don't feel guilty doing so. Again, it's a personal decision, and I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do.
"The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. . . . The priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, Corpus Christi (the body of Christ). The communicant replies Amen and receives the sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed and if the communicant so chooses, in the hand (GIRM 160–161)." |
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While you are correct that it is permitted, this is another case where it is permitted but not the preferred method.
"However, let all all remember that the time-honoured tradition is to receive the host on the tongue."
But the emphasis for either approach is reverence.
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dinasiano
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Jill,
My own experience with this is that I now receive almost exclusively on the tongue. I frequently attend TLM where everyone kneels and receives on the tongue, but I also receive that way at my parish N.O Mass. I have received in the hand on a few occasions where I wasn't able to be on the line with the priest. I too, find that the EMs are uncomfortable distributing Communion on the tongue so if I sense that, I will receive on the hand. My point is try not to be too preoccupied with those details. It will be strange at first but you will get used to it and your pastor may or may not wonder at all. My younger children who attend Latin Mass with me receive on the tongue at TLM and on the hand at my parish. It is harder to receive on the tongue standing up so maybe you should "practice" in front of a mirror
Your reverence will surely be a blessing to others at Mass.
Dina
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Erica Sanchez
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Two things that helped me decide to receive on the tongue.
Many, many moons ago at an HLI conference, Alice Von Hildebrand said something about her receiving on the tongue because her hands were not consecrated like the priest's hands. I am not doing her comments justice, but they made an impression on me at the time.
And, I think Father Z has a post (which I can not seem to find) about particles of the host left on our hands. Something like that. I am not being very articulate today.
Oh, and something that gave me a chuckle was a post by Kimberly at Pondered in My Heart when the swine flu/hand sanitizer craziness was going on (not meaning to make light of that sickness at all). But, she mentioned how when you receive on your tongue in the kneeling position, the priest's hand don't touch your mouth. It is a bit awkward to receive on the tongue while standing, especially from someone shorter.
I like the advice about holding a toddler/baby. :)
I hadn't seen that article, Jenn. Thank you for linking.
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(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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dinasiano
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JennGM,
Thank you for that link. A couple of years ago when the Swine Flu was scaring the daylights out of everyone, our Bishop instructed us that the Blood of Christ would not be distributed and he asked that people refrain from receiving on the tongue. I know it's ok to not distribute the Blood of Christ, but was wondering about the suggestion that everyone receive in the hand. Was it improper to ask that or am I reading the article incorrectly? I am not looking to be critical of my Bishop, but am wondering....I remember thinking that many would be very upset by this. I obeyed because he asked but wondered about it.
Dina
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myheaven1967
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That makes me think of when it is at Thanksgiving time we are allowed to take home Communion for our dinner. I found that very odd.
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JennGM
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dinasiano wrote:
JennGM,
Thank you for that link. A couple of years ago when the Swine Flu was scaring the daylights out of everyone, our Bishop instructed us that the Blood of Christ would not be distributed and he asked that people refrain from receiving on the tongue. I know it's ok to not distribute the Blood of Christ, but was wondering about the suggestion that everyone receive in the hand. Was it improper to ask that or am I reading the article incorrectly? I am not looking to be critical of my Bishop, but am wondering....I remember thinking that many would be very upset by this. I obeyed because he asked but wondered about it.
Dina |
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If the bishop worded it the way you did, discouraging but not forbidding communion on the tongue, then it was okay. But it is has been stated several times in different ways that this is the choice of the communicant, not the minister.
EWTN Answers
From the new Roman Missal GIRM: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-ins truction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-4.cfm :
GIRM 160 161 wrote:
When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.
If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the Priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed, in the hand, the choice lying with the communicant. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it. |
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From the USCCB http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-ma ss/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-reception-of-holy-communion- at-mass.cfm:
USCCB wrote:
| 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. |
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This is also addressed in the Catholicism.about and CUF (this one very good summary).
Our family continued receiving on the tongue. I do not receive on the hand because of the reasons Erica mentioned. I know the preferred method, I do not have consecrated hands, and I worry about particles remaining.
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Mackfam
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Hi Jill,
Thank you for entrusting us with your sincere questions and reflections!
myheaven1967 wrote:
| That makes me think of when it is at Thanksgiving time we are allowed to take home Communion for our dinner. I found that very odd. |
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I want to be clear, if the Blessed Sacrament was allowed to go home with people as their dinner this is more than just weird, this is a grave abuse and should never happen.
According to the document Redemptionis Sacramentum, Chapter 4, The Distribution of Holy Communion, section (88):
Quote:
| The faithful should normally receive sacramental Communion of the Eucharist during Mass itself, at the moment laid down by the rite of celebration, that is to say, just after the Priest celebrant's Communion. |
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The document says "normally" receive during Mass in order to leave room for Holy Communion to be brought to the sick and homebound. The Blessed Sacrament should be consumed immediately.
A little further on the document states, (92):
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| 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 |
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This is done out of great reverence to Our Lord to ensure that nothing profane occurs to the Blessed Sacrament, an abuse that could sadly occur if Our Lord present in the Consecrated Host was taken outside of the church.
And most clearly, section (132) states:
Quote:
| No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law. |
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I hope this explanation provides all the necessary information for you, Jill, should this grave abuse ever occur again.
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JennGM
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Thank you, Jen. I was about to answer that. Are you sure that it wasn't some unconsecrated bread or hosts to share? I sure hope so, because like Jen said, this is a grave abuse.
There have been certain days in our parishes in the past where little loaves of bread were blessed (not consecrated as in Mass) and sent home to share. St. Anthony's Bread is one sacramental on June 13, and I think we've done something similar on Thanksgiving in the past. But this bread was like home bread -- it would be invalid matter for use at Mass, because it contains other ingredients, including yeast. Blessed bread is different than the Holy Eucharist which is consecrated and no longer is bread.
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Mackfam
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JennGM wrote:
Are you sure that it wasn't some unconsecrated bread or hosts to share? I sure hope so, because like Jen said, this is a grave abuse.
There have been certain days in our parishes in the past where little loaves of bread were blessed (not consecrated as in Mass) and sent home to share. St. Anthony's Bread is one sacramental on June 13, and I think we've done something similar on Thanksgiving in the past. But this bread was like home bread -- it would be invalid matter for use at Mass, because it contains other ingredients, including yeast. Blessed bread is different than the Holy Eucharist which is consecrated and no longer is bread.
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And, if as Jenn suggests, this might be the case, then clear and careful explanation should be made so there is no possible confusion in the blessed bread given after Mass and the consecrated Host.
From the same document, #96:
Quote:
| Where there exists in certain places by concession a particular custom of blessing bread after Mass for distribution, proper catechesis should very carefully be given concerning this action. In fact, no other similar practices should be introduced, nor should unconsecrated hosts ever be used for this purpose. |
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dinasiano
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Thank you JennGM! Yes, the more I think about it, the more I seem to remember that it was a request. Thank you for all that great info. I am looking forward to a quiet moment later to read it. It is my personal opinion that the option to receive in the hand has opened a can of worms. It seems to me to have created a bunch of problems, the biggest one being irreverence for the Eucharist. I have seen a lot at Mass and just last week my children witnessed a Confirmation candidate walk away from the Communion line with the Host still in her hand. The priest had to actually chase her down the aisle. She did consume the Eucharist before he reached her, but still....this is a young lady about to be confirmed. She attends our Parish school. To say she should know better is an understatement. My heart breaks for our Lord but also for all those who are uninformed, for whatever reason.
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myheaven1967
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Thank you ladies. I took Communion on the tongue this weekend. Yep - did it wrong... But figured it out quickly. I was so anxious but holding the little one helped.
Thank you also for the rest of the conversation!
No, you are right, the host was not consecrated. I didn't realize it made a difference in all honesty. I didn't think you were supposed to just carry it off either way!
This was a big step for me and I breathe a nice sigh of relief. I sat there watching all the others taking their Communion and noticed that some did indeed not touch it, while others did. I now stand among those that don't. Please do not think me pleased with myself. Just happy with my choice I made.
Warmly,
Jill
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JodieLyn
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Yay! so often it's the anticipation of messing up that is the worst part.. so getting past that is cause for celebration 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Topic: Communion on the tongue?
