Father, what do I have to respond when I receive communion, and what is the correct way to do it? someone asked me, to which I replied: amen, is the answer.
Indeed, responding amen means that we firmly believe that what we receive is the Body and Blood of Christ. That is why many of us as priests are concerned about catechizing the faithful in the best possible way to learn the correct way to take Holy Communion.
Nowadays, it is of utmost importance to know how to take communion in a correct, orderly, respectful, and, above all, reverent manner.
As priests, we are the first to protect the sacredness of such a sublime mystery, Christ in Holy Communion. Receiving the Eucharist in Communion bears the intimate union with Christ as its principal fruit. By virtue, and through the grace of the baptism we receive, we can be strengthened in the Living Bread coming down from heaven, for it is Christ himself who says: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (Jn. 6:56).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us in n. 1390: “Since Christ is sacramentally present under each species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace. For pastoral reasons, this manner of communion has been legitimately established as the most common form of the Latin rite. But “the sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly.”
According to the Bishops, we can receive Communion on the tongue or in the palm of the hand.
Tongue: If receiving on the tongue, we should open our mouth wide enough for the priest or minister to place the Host on the tongue. The tongue should be extended slightly to receive the Host, always with decorum, respect, and reverence.
Palm of the Hand: If we receive in the hand, we should place the open palm of one hand over the other (in the form of a throne). After receiving the Host, we immediately place the Host in our mouth with the other hand. We should never “grab” the Host from the hands of the priest or minister, but we should wait for him to place the Host in our hands. Our hands should always be clean and free of all objects. If there are any particles, they are consumed. (General Institution of the Roman Missal, 41-47.) And in Redemptionis Sacramentum it says: “However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.” (#92)
Having seen this, the faithful must be well informed about the form approved by the local Bishop. Even if we come from other countries, we must be obedient to our parish priests and bishops on duty. We must avoid at all costs judging as each diocese does, and we must focus on the official doctrine of the Church (see the references mentioned above).
That is why the Church is cautious and meticulous in establishing how to receive Communion; as Catholics, we are aware that what we receive in Communion is Christ with all his humanity and divinity. May God Almighty help us and enlighten us in understanding and protecting such a sublime mystery, Christ, in the Eucharist. Therefore, whenever the priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister of Communion says “The Body of Christ – Blood of Christ,” we respond with a resounding AMEN.
Fr. More Torres, OFM
Associate Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish
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