Receiving The Holy Eucharist

Receiving Holy Communion:
Those who receive Communion may receive in the hand or on the tongue, and the decision should be that of the individual receiving, not of the person distributing Communion. If Communion is received in the hand, the hands should first of all be clean. If one is right-handed, the left hand should rest upon the right. The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand, and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed, this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with fingers and take the host from the person distributing it. When receiving Holy Communion, we bow our heads before the sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receive the Body of the Lord from the minister.

Communion in the Hand:
There seems to have developed a variety of ways to do this except that the Church, when she introduced Communion in the hand, recommended only one way. You need the use of both hands when you receive Holy Communion in the hand. That is why it is very difficult to receive Holy Communion in the hand when your hands are not free: i.e. carrying a baby, purse, etc. Listen to what the instruction states: “make your hands in the form of a throne: one hand over the other, flat and fingers straight. When the minister places the host on your hand, with your other hand, pick up the host and place it on your tongue immediately.” We have had many instances of people walking away with the host. Sadly to say we have found hosts under pews, in the Catholic Book of Worship and on the floor. That is why it is necessary and important that the Eucharistic Minister see you place the Sacred Host on your tongue. PLEASE: DO NOT WALK AWAY WITH THE HOST! If you do, you will be called back by the Minister. After you receive Holy Communion, return to your seat and pray. It is not the time to put gum back into your mouth as was recently witnessed.

Who can receive Holy Communion?
We need to be reminded that not everyone can receive Holy Communion. Non-Catholics are not permitted to come to Communion , but very often we find this happening. Everyone in the pew seems to get up follow one another. We are very happy that you bring your non-Catholic friends to Sunday Mass, but please remind them that they are not permitted to receive Holy Communion. As well, Catholics are not permitted to receive Holy Communion in non-Catholic churches. The question is often asked “who is permitted to receive Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church?" The following statements of the Bishop’s clearly states who and who cannot receive Holy Communion.

For Roman Catholics:
Catholics do not share communion at other Christian churches. The legislation builds on our belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and that our communion at Mass symbolizes our union as a Church. Catholics often find themselves in awkward situations when this directive comes into play. Friends or family who belong to other Christian churches may invite Catholics to attend. If communion is offered, Catholics may feel some social obligation to share in the celebration. They may feel additional pressure if the minister of the service welcomes all present who believe in Christ to share in the communion. Catholics are not permitted to share in Eucharist in other non-Catholic Churches and non-Catholics are not permitted to share Eucharist in Catholic Churches. As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion.

We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confessions. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For Non-Catholics: We welcome other Christians to the celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spriti in the Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad division which separates us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion.

Those not receiving Communion:
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For Non-Christians:
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to ofer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

(Diocese of Hamilton, Inter Nos #233, June 30, 2006)

Link to more information on the Eucharist:

- The Holy Eucharist - Church Teachings