The Right Way to Receive Holy Communion

The Church sees the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of our existence.  As we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ this weekend it’s a good opportunity for us to remind ourselves how to receive Holy Communion.

Before talking about how to receive Holy Communion properly, let's talk about being properly disposed first.  If we are not properly prepared, then we shouldn't receive Communion.  This means being free from mortal sin and having fasted for at least one hour before coming to Communion, unless there’s a medical reason for not doing so. 

When we approach Holy Communion respond “Amen” and make a reverential bow of the head when the Minister says, “The Body of Christ” which means we believe it to be true.  We then receive the Body of Christ.  Catholics in the United States and many parts of the world are permitted to receive Holy Communion in the hand.  This is based on the writings of St Cyril of Jerusalem who wrote:

"When you approach, take care not to do so with your hand stretched out and your fingers open or apart, but rather place your left hand as a throne beneath your right, as befits one who is about to receive the King." 

We then take the Host from our left hand with our right and place it on our tongue.   We do not take the Host and make the Sign of the Cross over ourselves before consuming it, nor do we receive Communion while kneeling.  While these may seem pious, individual acts of piety have no place in our communal worship, and are expressly forbidden in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

Because we don’t take Communion, but rather receive it, we refrain from grabbing the Host from the Minister’s fingers. 

One may choose to receive Communion on the tongue.  When you do so slightly tilt your head back, open your mouth and extend your tongue.  Allow the Minister to place the Host on your tongue and withdraw their fingers before closing your mouth. 

It is your choice to receive the Precious Blood.  When we approach the chalice we again make a reverential bow of the head and say “Amen” in response to the Minister’s statement, “The Blood of Christ.”  We receive the chalice and take a sip of the Precious Blood before returning it to the Minister.  Make certain the minister has it firmly in their hand before letting go.

Some desire to take the Host they have received and dip it into the chalice containing the Precious Blood.  This is not permissible in the Roman Catholic Church.  Only a Priest may “intinct,” and even then only under rare circumstances.

When receiving Holy Communion, we are called to do so reverently.  It is not just bread and wine, but the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ.