Receiving Communion
- Father Martin Fox
- Jan 9
- 4 min read
Communion confusion. In recent months, the other priests, deacons, extraordinary ministers and I have observed some uptick in folks who aren’t sure how to receive Holy Communion. In particular, we’ve periodically had individuals who take the Sacred Host but who appear simply to walk away. I wonder if the great disruption that came with Covid is having lingering effects? In any case, it may be time for a refresher.
Don’t delay consuming the Host. It has always been the expectation that, in taking the Body of Christ, one consumes Jesus right away. In the old days, this happened at the altar rail; since 1970 or so, it most often happens at the head of a communion line. Taking the Sacred Host back to the pew is not appropriate!
For one, it is the duty of the person distributing the Sacred Host to know that the Body of Christ has been consumed. We should remember that some folks visiting Mass who aren’t Catholic, don’t really know what the Eucharist is. Other traditions believe the Lord’s Supper is nothing more than bread and wine (or grape juice), so they wouldn’t see anything irreverent in laying aside what they receive.
Sadly, some misuse this Gift. Occasionally, someone will say, oh I was going to take this Host home for another person. Great: but not in a handkerchief, we can help you do it reverently. Sometimes people want to take the Body of Christ home to keep for devotion. Sorry, this is not allowed! And yes, some do attempt to spirit away the Eucharist for evil purposes. Rare but not unheard of.
The point is, when any distributor sees someone not consuming the Sacred Host, we can’t know what’s going on, and we cannot just shrug. Let’s all work together to foster both reverence and calm. Please consume the Sacred Host right as you receive it. If you need to be seated, let an Extraordinary Minister bring Jesus to you in your pew.
How to receive. Also, let’s remind ourselves of what the bishops have taught us about receiving the Body of Christ. If in our hands, we use both hands; one hand can be tricky, especially when carrying a child or dealing with a cane or walker. There is a great quote from St. Cyril of Jerusalem, “Make a throne with your hands, for they are about to receive a King.” Receiving on the tongue is always an option, especially if you don’t have both hands free, or your hands are covered for some reason. If you receive the Sacred Host on the tongue, please put out your tongue. We are all asked to make a sign of reverence before receiving; some bow or make the sign of the cross; some genuflect or even kneel. The proper response is “Amen,” which expresses two things: our belief in the Eucharist being truly Jesus; and our yes to sharing his death and resurrection.
If someone visits Mass with you who isn’t Catholic, please share what follows with him or her:
Nothing more solemn. To receive the Eucharist at Mass means – for us Catholics – that the one receiving the Eucharist is a member of the Catholic Church, and is actively living that commitment, and is in a state of grace and has fasted suitably. This is the single most solemn and central act of our faith. We recognize other traditions do this differently, and we respect others’ practices, and ask the same respect for our form of worship in return.
All are welcome to become Catholic. Some of our family and friends who aren’t Catholic may say, what if I want to be Catholic? AWESOME! Let us help you prepare for that decision carefully and serenely; don’t make that decision on the spur of the moment.
Not something routine. No one – Catholic or not – should ever just “get in line” without reflecting on one’s spiritual state and readiness to unite oneself with Jesus in the Eucharist. No one should ever feel awkward about simply remaining seated if you prefer. Or, if you do walk forward and you aren’t receiving the Eucharist, cross your arms and the distributor will greet you in the Lord. (It’s not, strictly speaking, a “blessing,” which comes moments later at the end of Mass. That’s why it’s best for distributors not to make any gesture suggestive of a blessing, or touching anyone’s head, which may be unwelcome and may bring hair back to the bowl of Hosts.)
There’s more to Mass. As awesome as it is to receive the Body and Blood, that isn’t the sum of what Mass means. The Mass is a re-presentation of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sake. We are at Calvary and the Empty Tomb. This reality is the center and focus and power of the Mass. Not receiving the Eucharist does not – cannot – make your presence at Mass “pointless.” No one should feel awkward about not receiving the Eucharist or be asked to explain not doing so.
Father Chris is featured in the an episode of our parish family podcast, Open Wide the Doors, to talk more about this. The episode is to be released on Monday, January 12th and will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and our parish family YouTube page. Click the link below to listen to this podcast episode!