Communion which hand on top

But in addition to recalling ancient practices, Communion in the hand evokes conceptions of the Church prevalent in the years following the Second Vatican Council: the laity as active participants in the life of the Church, inextricably part of the body of Christ in their own right.

Advocates of Communion on the tongue point to the reverence with which the Body of Christ should be received. The practice of Communion on the tongue developed alongside increasing focus on the sanctity of consecrated Host and unworthiness of the recipient. Of course, Communion on the tongue ensures that the Host is actually consumed — which is certainly not a frivolous concern, especially in Rome and in other places where a Host might be pocketed as a kind of a souvenir.

As one might imagine, debate goes back and forth. Which really is the most ancient practice? What mode of reception embodies the most reverential or the most intimate form of Communion? Which way best articulates what it means to belong to the Church? For my part, I gained a fresh insight into this debate during a Mass one summer in a Midwestern city. But in the Midwest, I was pleased to find that congregants who arrived early were encouraged to sit in the middle of pew, so that late-comers and families with children would be accommodated and welcomed.

I knelt to say my prayers and was immediately distracted by a man sitting in front of me who was talking on softly on his cellphone one minute, then whispering to a man next to him.

One has the option of receiving in the hand in some places. Communion in the hand is allowed in the United States by decision of the American Bishops.

If one is receiving in the hand the following is normative: upon approaching the minister of the Host extend the hands in the middle of the chest. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support left handed persons may wish to place the left hand under the right.

In essence, a throne is formed in the sign of an X-cross to receive the Sacred Host. The individual should then step to the side and receive the Host carefully and reverently. Please note that it is never acceptable to put out only one hand due to the danger of dropping the host.

Walk back to your seat and kneel or stand depending on the custom in your parish. This is a time to reflect and thank Jesus for coming to you in the Holy Eucharist. Return to your pew and pray, until the priest is finished offering the Blessed Sacrament. Follow the lead of more established church members if you are unsure what to do. Your left hand should be over the right when you choose to receive it in your hands.

Not Helpful 30 Helpful No, you can receive the blood of Christ as soon as you make your first Communion. Not Helpful 12 Helpful Your original seat. However, you should not sit after communion; you should kneel, pray, and reflect until the priest is finished serving everyone. Not Helpful 15 Helpful Is it correct for the priest tol leave the host and wine on the altar and allow the public to get up and help themselves to the host, then dip the host in the wine walk back to their seats?

No, it isn't right for the priest to leave the host on the altar. The Eucharist should only be distributed by a priest or a deacon or an extraordinary minister. Not Helpful 20 Helpful By receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin, you commit a sacrilege against the Body and Blood of Christ. A sacrilege is deliberately defiling the Eucharist, or anything holy, like a Rosary.

A sacrilege is definitely a mortal sin and you must go to Confession as soon as possible. Not Helpful 13 Helpful If you are Catholic, receiving the body and blood of Christ is a very important part of the faith. Not Helpful 11 Helpful Place your crossed hands over your chest in the communion line, and when you get to the priest he will bless you.

Not Helpful 22 Helpful No, you don't. It is optional, at least in all the churches I have been to. No, but it's the polite and sanitary thing to do to wash your hands ahead of time after you've touched anything dirty or unsanitary.

Not Helpful 8 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If you fear fumbling with your hands when receiving Communion, receive on the tongue; overall this is the easier way to receive. Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1.

If you accidentally drop the host the Body of Christ while receiving it, the appropriate thing to do is to pick it up and consume it. If you are uncomfortable with that, pick it up and give it to the priest or Extraordinary Minister.

The Host must not be left on the ground to be trampled. Helpful 6 Not Helpful 4. If you want the host handed to you, put your hands one under the other; it does not matter which hand is above the other, but the hand underneath will pick up the Host, and carry it to your mouth.

Helpful 4 Not Helpful 4. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Certain Catholic parishes have different customs for receiving Eucharist. To some people, particularly older churchgoers, it may be considered disrespectful to chew the host. To avoid offending others at Mass, it's best to learn about the traditions of a particular church.

Helpful 67 Not Helpful Related wikiHows How to. How to. More References 1. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: September 1,