From the Desk of Father Nathan

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!

THE PROPER WAY TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

These days I do notice some of us dropping the Body of Jesus, during Communion time. I have also seen people come to me in different postures which I know for sure are in danger of dropping it. Hence, I am trying to attend to this. Let us follow the instructions detailed below.

Instructions to Properly RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

For the reception of Holy Communion kneeling is a long-standing tradition, but the common practice in US Churches today is to stand. 

Stand, standing is a common practice in most places today. When one receives standing one is asked to make a specific act of adoration before receiving the Sacred Host. In the United States, the bishops have mandated a bow of the head as the uniform act of adoration.

Do not genuflect.  Genuflection is discouraged because of the obvious hazard to other people on the line.

Collect & Reflect while waiting in line.  While waiting for the person in front of you to receive, recollect yourself for a moment and bow your head as a gesture of adoration.

Step up when it is your turn.

Receiving Holy Communion on the Tongue:

If receiving the Sacred Host on the tongue one should fold one’s hands. After saying “Amen” in response to the minister of Holy Communion, the communicant should open their mouth wide and extend the tongue far enough so that the Sacred Host may be placed upon it without the danger of falling. Please note that it is important to extend the tongue, not just open the mouth.

Receiving Holy Communion by Hand:

One has the option to receiving in the hand, as most do in our church. Communion in the hand is allowed in the United States by the decision of the American Bishops. If one is receiving in the hand the following is recommended upon approaching the minster of the Host extend the hands in the middle of the chest. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to place the left hand under the right). In essence a throne is formed in the sign of and X-cross to receive the Sacred Host.

The response of “Amen” is given to the proclamation “The Body of Christ,” and the Host is received. The individual should then step to the side and receive the Sacred Host carefully and reverently. It is unseemly to “pop’ the Host into the mouth as one walks away.

Remember “Who” you are receiving During Holy Communion!

Please note that it is never acceptable to put out only one hand due to the danger of dropping the host. Those who do not have the easy use of both hands ( or whose hands area not perfectly clean for whatever reason) should receive on the tongue.

Only those practicing Catholics who are in the state of grace may receive Holy Communion.

Being in the state of grace means not having knowledge of having committed any mortal sins (missing Mass on Sunday through your own fault is a violation of the Third Commandment and a mortal sin!) Those who are not in the state of grace must first be reconciled to God and the Church by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) before presenting themselves for Holy Communion

With lots of love and blessings,

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan