HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION WITH LOVE AND REVERENCE

During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Offering of Jesus on the Cross to God the Father is made present to the congregation. We unite with that Offering through our receipt of the Eucharist. The following is a brief

presentation on how to physically receive Holy Communion. Prior to receiving Holy Communion, each Catholic must ensure that he or she is not conscious of having committed a grave sin.

1. As you process to receive the Lord, maintain a prayerful attitude. The Communion line is not a race; rather, it is a time to prepare to receive Jesus.

2. You are permitted to genuflect before receiving the Host. Please be mindful of people behind you.

3. You are permitted to receive the Host while kneeling. If you receive standing up, then bow your head or torso as a sign of reverence and adoration to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are not bowing to the minister or priest, you are bowing to Jesus.

4. After the priest, deacon or minister has declared, “the Body of Christ,” you should respond AMEN, which is Hebrew for “I believe.”. This is an affirmation of your faith in the Real Presence of Jesus.

5. If you receive the Host on the tongue, please hold your mouth steady until the Host has been placed on your tongue.

6. If you receive the Host on the hand: are your hands clean? Do not wear gloves. Your left hand should be placed on top of your right hand so as to form a crown for the Host. Lovingly, pick up the Host with your right hand and tenderly place the Host in your mouth. Do not snatch Jesus from the Eucharistic minister. Do not pop

Jesus into your mouth like a piece of candy. You should immediately receive the Host in the sight of the ministeror priest. This is not the time to feel hurried. Determine whether there are there any particles of the Host upon

your hand. Remember the smallest piece of a Host is the entire Jesus. Reverence for the Lord and His Body is paramount.

7. You should return to your seat for a prayer of thanksgiving. If you absolutely must leave Church early (when is the last time you left a movie five minutes early?), then stay at least a little while to pray in thanksgiving to our Lord.

Father Brendan Gormley