Best Practices for Receiving Communion

Many people mistakenly refer to going to Communion as “getting in the Communion line”.  As Catholics, we are a pilgrim people constantly moving toward the Eucharist, so we are processing forward to the Altar (referred to as the Sanctuary), and we should receive Communion standing up in what can be referred to as a Resurrection posture (standing, not kneeling).

As you approach the Priest, Deacon, or Extraordinary Minister of Communion (henceforth referred to as Ministers of Communion), you should perform a slight bow before stepping up to receive the Eucharist.  There are  2 appropriate ways to receive Communion, in the hand or on the tongue.  The proper way to receive the Eucharist in the hand is to place your dominant hand underneath your non-dominant hand, in essence making a throne out of your hands for the reception of the Precious Body of Christ.  Raise your hands to the level of the Communion Plate.   After the Minister of Communion places the host in your hand, you then take the host by the fingers of the dominant hand and reverently place it in your mouth.  You should not “take” the host from the minister of Communion, but you should openly and receptively receive the host.  There should be nothing else in your hand or in your mouth as you approach the Eucharist.  If you choose to receive Communion on the tongue, after giving a slight bow, open your mouth and extend your tongue far enough so that the Minister of Communion can easily place it on your tongue.  We do not receive the Eucharist by what is referred to as Tincture – you should not take the host and dip it in the chalice that contains the Precious Blood of Christ.  If you are ill or feel under the weather, you should only plan to receive the host and forgo receiving the Precious Blood of Christ so as not to spread germs.  You are still receiving the fullness of the Eucharist.   If you wish to receive the Precious Blood of Christ, gently take the Chalice that is offered by the Minister of Communion with both hands, take a small sip (do not take a large gulp), and gently place it back in the hands of the Minister of Communion, making sure they have a firm grasp on it before releasing it.  Also, please be aware that lipstick and lip balm stains the white purificators and adds to the discoloration of the chalices, so please consider wiping off your lipstick or balm before leaving your pew in procession to the altar.

In no case may you take the host away from the Communion station – it MUST be consumed while standing in front of the Minister of Communion.  IF you are a homebound minister of Communion and are taking Communion to someone, you MUST have an appropriately blessed pyx in which the minister of Communion will place the host.  If you have someone with you at Mass who is not able to process up for Communion, please let one of the ushers know and they will take the Communion to them.  Please do not request an extra host from the Minister of Communion and take it to them yourself.