42. How Do We Receive Communion?

Let us look at the mechanics of communion. How do we receive? Until recently, the only way people received was on the tongue. The words pronounced by the priest have been altered to a form familiar in the early Church. The priest says, "The body of Christ," to which the communicant responds, "Amen." Today, there is also an option for communion in the hand. The priest puts the host in your left hand, made into a throne, and you step aside, pick up the host and communicate. The manner in which we receive has nothing to do with whether or not we are a so-called religious conservative or liberal. Both forms can be beautiful. (Although our concern for reverence must be guarded regarding communion in the hand lest some sort of impropriety is committed.) On some occasions you can also receive from the chalice. Again, we need to remember that the whole Christ is received under either species. It only seems more complete regarding the sign value.

When you receive the host, try to make it easy for the priest to put it on your tongue or in your hand. Some people barely open their mouths. I recall one lady we nicknamed, "The Snapper," because she almost bit the fingers of the minister distributing communion. Do not pick the host out of the priest's hands. Do not put your hands together (side by side) as you would in making a shadow of a bird. This is often a quick giveaway that one has been receiving in a Protestant church. Do not slurp Jesus out of your hands. It is not dignified. Keep your hands clean and uncluttered. If you are holding a child, receive on the tongue and never reach out with one hand. Make a throne of your right hand for your left, one on top of the other. Do not say, "Thank you Father." Just say, "Amen," when the host is placed in your palm. It means, "Truly," or "Surely," or "I believe." It is a faith affirmation. Then step aside, pick up the host with your right hand and receive it, and then cross yourself. Be one of the crowd. Do not walk back to the pew with it! The current custom of standing and processing, instead of kneeling (also a legitimate option), signifies ourselves as a pilgrim people. If one does not kneel, some act of reverence should precede the reception of communion, like a genuflection or a bow. No one is worthy. You are in God's house. It is okay to stand. When back in the pew, the communicant should make a personal thanksgiving. There is also no prohibition about staying after Mass to say some personal prayers; indeed, it could be a wonderful witness for those who race for the door after communion. Please, do not treat the Mass like a fast food stop.