How to Receive the Holy Communion

Every so often, it is good to reflect on how we do things at liturgy. This is especially true of how we receive communion. In the course of doing something over and over again, we can easily lose sight of the reasons why we do things. We can also get “sloppy” with our gestures.

Before I get bombarded, the debate of receiving the Eucharist on the tongue or in the hands can get a bit heated; however, an important and necessary factor is spiritual preparation.

Here are 5 Tips On How To Receive The Eucharist:

- Receiving the Eucharist in a State of Grace

- Observe the 1 hour Eucharistic Fast (with exceptions of course)

- Arrive at Mass a few minutes early

- Make an act of reverence before receiving the Eucharist

- Make a prayer of thanksgiving after the Mass

The idea is how you are preparing your heart to receive Christ? The King is entering into your heart! Do I have dusting to do before He arrives? Receiving the eucharist in a state of grace is required. If you are unable to do so before mass, stay at your pew or receive a blessing instead (if your parish does this).

To continue reading the article click on the title!

"Every Consecrated Host is Made to Burn itself up with 'Love' in a Human Heart" ~ Saint Jean Vianney

The two main ways to receive the Eucharist is by the Hand or by the Tongue.

Communion in the Hand:

The original way to receive communion was in the hand. This was the practice in the early Church from the time of Jesus Christ until the Middle Ages. There are many examples describing the reception of communion in the writings of the early fathers.

For example, St. Cyril of Jerusalem encourages to “make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King.”

Communion on the Tongue:

The movement to receive communion on the tongue began in the Middles ages due to several factors: unhygienic conditions of the day; increased emphasis on adoration of the Eucharist; emphasis on personal unworthiness; and the transition of using leavened bread to unleavened bread among other events.

Blood of Christ from the Chalice

The Church teaches that “Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it takes place under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clearer expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the connection between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the kingdom of the Father.” [General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 281].

To read more in detail I will leave a document here for you

How to Recieve Holy Communion at Mass.pd

Download PD • 1.39MB

And for those who skip through words and prefer to see visuals here is a video: