Rachel Evans
In the Catholic Church, Communion is the central part of the Mass. To receive the Eucharist, one must be a baptized Catholic and free of grave sins. Catholics receive Communion either in their hands or on their tongue, and some kneel. To receive Communion in your hands, you must hold your hands out, with your left hand supporting your right hand. The priest will then place the host in your left hand, and you will transfer it to your mouth with your right hand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand placement | Left hand on top of right |
| Priest's action | Places the host in the left hand |
| Communicant's action | Transfers the host from left hand to mouth with right hand |
| Kneeling | Traditional but not required |
| Response after receiving the host | Say "Amen" |
| Receiving the Blood of Christ | Take a small sip from the chalice |
| Response after receiving the Blood of Christ | Bow and say "Amen" |
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What You'll Learn
- Place your left hand under your right hand to form a throne for the right
- Allow the priest to place the host in your left hand
- Transfer the host from your left hand to your mouth using your right hand
- Do not splay your fingers or extend your wrists?
- After receiving the host, you may choose to receive the Blood of Christ
Place your left hand under your right hand to form a throne for the right
When receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, it is important to hold your hands in a specific way, demonstrating reverence and respect for the Eucharist. One traditional way to do this is to place your left hand under your right hand, forming a throne for the right.
This practice is rooted in the teachings of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, who described the act of receiving Communion as "making your left hand a throne for the right, for it is about to receive a King." By cupping your left hand and placing your right hand on top, you create a symbolic throne to receive the body of Christ with reverence and humility.
In modern times, the way Communion is received in the hand has evolved. Typically, the priest places the host in the communicant's hand, which is positioned under the right hand. Then, the communicant uses their right hand to transfer the host from their left hand to their mouth. This differs from the ancient practice described by St. Cyril, where the host was placed directly into the right hand, lifted up to the mouth, without being picked up by the fingers.
While the specifics of hand placement may vary, the key principle is to show reverence and respect for the Eucharist. The act of placing your left hand under your right hand, forming a throne, underscores the sacredness of the ritual and the belief that one is receiving a King. This symbolic gesture enhances the spiritual significance of the Communion ceremony in the Catholic faith.
It is worth noting that, aside from hand placement, other aspects of the Communion ritual may vary as well. For instance, while some Catholics choose to receive Communion in their hands, others may opt to receive it directly on their tongue. Additionally, while standing is the common practice in most places today, kneeling has been a long-standing tradition in the Latin Rite.
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Allow the priest to place the host in your left hand
When receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, it is important to follow certain protocols to show reverence for the Eucharist. One such protocol is how to hold your hands when receiving the host, which is the consecrated bread or wafers used in Communion.
If you wish to receive the host in your hand, it is important to allow the priest to place it there, rather than taking it from them. This is done by holding your hands out, with your left hand on top of your right hand. This practice is similar to the ancient tradition described by St. Cyril of Jerusalem, who instructed the faithful to make their "left hand a throne for the right" in preparation for receiving the body of Christ.
Allowing the priest to place the host in your left hand demonstrates respect and reverence for the sacrament. It is a way to honour the sacredness of the Eucharist and to show your faith and obedience. By receiving the host in this manner, you are following a tradition that has been practised by Catholics for many centuries.
It is worth noting that the way Holy Communion is received today differs from the practice described by St. Cyril. In the ancient practice, the host was placed directly into the right hand, which was then lifted to the mouth. Today, the priest places the host in the communicant's left hand, and the communicant transfers the host to their mouth with their right hand.
While the specific details of how to receive Communion may vary, the underlying reverence and faith remain the same. It is important to be respectful and mindful during the entire process, whether you are receiving the host in your hand or directly on your tongue.
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Transfer the host from your left hand to your mouth using your right hand
When receiving Catholic Communion, the priest will place the host in your left hand, which should be placed on top of your right hand, forming a throne for the right.
Once the host has been placed in your left hand, you should transfer the host from your left hand to your mouth using your right hand. This act symbolises receiving a King, as described by St. Cyril of Jerusalem in the fourth century.
To perform this action, carefully lift the host with your right hand, taking care not to lose any part of it. Bring your hand up to your mouth and partake of the host, ensuring that you do not drop any crumbs. Losing any part of the host is likened to a mutilation of your body, as described by St. Cyril.
It is important to approach this action with reverence and respect, as it is a sacred moment in the Catholic faith.
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Do not splay your fingers or extend your wrists
When receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, it is important to remember not to splay your fingers or extend your wrists. This guidance is based on the ancient practice described by St. Cyril of Jerusalem in the fourth century. According to St. Cyril, the left hand should act as a "throne" for the right, as it is about to receive a King.
The modern practice of receiving Communion in the hand differs from St. Cyril's description. Today, the priest places the host in the communicant's left hand, and the communicant then transfers the host to their mouth using their right hand. In St. Cyril's description, the host is placed directly into the right hand, which is then lifted to the mouth.
It is worth noting that the practice of Communion in the hand has evolved over time. While St. Cyril's description provides insight into ancient liturgical practices, it may not reflect the widespread practice of his time. The modern practice of receiving Communion in the hand was permitted by the Holy See in 1969, taking into account the long-standing tradition of the traditional method.
Regardless of the evolution of practices, the key principle remains the same: to express reverence and respect during Holy Communion. By avoiding splayed fingers and extended wrists, Catholics today continue to honour the sacred nature of the sacrament and demonstrate their faith and obedience.
In summary, when receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, it is important to follow the guidance of not splaying your fingers or extending your wrists. This practice is rooted in ancient traditions and symbolises the reverence and respect associated with receiving the body of Christ.
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After receiving the host, you may choose to receive the Blood of Christ
The lip of the chalice is wiped off after each member receives the blood to limit germs, but if you are ill or contagious, refrain from receiving the Blood of Christ.
In the East, the practice differs slightly. Here, leavened bread is soaked in the Precious Blood, and Holy Communion is distributed directly into the mouth with a spoon.
In the Latin Rite, kneeling is the long-standing traditional way to receive Communion. However, standing is the common practice in most places today. When receiving Communion while standing, one is asked to make a specific act of adoration, such as a bow of the head, before taking the Precious Blood.
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