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How to Receive Holy Communion

- Mass & Confession

NOTES ON PROPER RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION IN DIOCESE OF LONDON, ONTARIO “Receiving the Eucharist means adoring Him whom we receive.” — Pope Benedict XVI

Reverent reception of Holy Communion requires prayerful disposition.
This implies:
1. Regular Confession
2. Attentive Participation during Mass
3. A prayer before and after Communion is also helpful.
4. Receiving according to church directive to avoid unattended crumb/particle, drop or spill of the sacred species.
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION:
Communicants approach the Sanctuary in procession with folded prayer hands after the priest consumes from the Chalice (usually a bell is rung).

Holy Communion is received:
1. STANDING: is a posture of respect, honor, and readiness; when we receive communion standing, a simple bow of reverence should be made before the minister of Holy Communion.
2. KNEELING: this expresses humble adoration and reverence, especially for the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
When receiving Holy Communion ON THE TONGUE (Kneeling or Standing):
1. When receiving on the tongue standing, approaching the Minister of Holy Communion, make a simple bow to the sacrament you are about to receive. When kneeling, a bow is not required.
2. Reverently keep hands joined, respond AMEN (meaning I BELIEVE).
3. Open mouth wide and bring tongue out of the mouth to receive.
4. Reverently consume sacred species without talking as communicant returns to pews.
St. Augustine in Enarrationes in Psalmos writes:
“No one eats that flesh without first adoring it; we should sin were we not to adore it.”

When receiving Holy Communion IN THE HAND (Only while Standing):
1. Approach the Minister of Holy Communion, make a simple bow to the sacrament you are about to receive.
2. Reverently stretch out hands opened, left palm on the right palm. Communicants who are lefthanded are obviously free to receive the sacred species with the right palm on the left palm if they choose.
3. Respond AMEN (meaning I BELIEVE).
4. Keep left palm steady, reach to pick sacred species into mouth with thumb and index fingers.
5. Return thumb and index finger to left palm as you step to the side – examine left palm and contact surfaces of index finger and thumb for any attached crumb of sacred species and consume same immediately before returning to pews.
St Cyril of Jerusalem writes:
"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. Then receive him, taking care that nothing is lost" (Cat. Myst V. 21-22).

WHAT TO DO AFTER RECEIVING COMMUNION:
In the diocese of London, it is our practice to REMAIN STANDING at the pews after reception of Holy Communion until the last communicant RECEIVES.

When we stand, we assume our full stature before God as a redeemed person, risen with Christ with READINESS as brothers and sisters, one body, commissioned and sent. This requires more concentration.

Those who are unable to due to age, health condition or medication are exempt from this diocesan norm.

As the Minister of Holy Communion returns to the Altar, ALL SIT OR KNEEL as individuals find comfortable for a period of silence, thanksgiving and adoration.