First Communion Season - Reminders about receiving Holy Communion...

   In the coming weeks, First Communions will be celebrated in parish throughout the country and world.  These celebrations are a good time for all of us to ‘brush up’ on how we approach Holy Communion. Our external reverence not only provides for a more orderly reception of Holy Communion, but it reflects and inspires our internal awareness of and devotion to this priceless gift of God’s love for us.
   Reception of Communion begins before even arriving at Church by internal and external preparation. One approaching Holy Communion must not be conscious of mortal sin without first having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin is  sacrilege. It is also expected that one is fasting from food and drink (this includes gum while in church!), except for water and necessary medications, for at least one full hour before receiving Holy Communion. This small sacrifice helps us recognize in some small physical way the spiritual hunger we have for Holy Communion, and it is totally proper to extend that fast beyond the almost-comically-minimal one hour.

   While at Mass, one is called to active participation.  This means that not only does a person need to be physically present, manifesting external participation by participating in the prayers, responses, music, postures and gestures of the Mass, but one must also be ‘present’ by consciously binding oneself and one’s needs and intentions to the prayers and sacrifices offered at Mass.
   In the Western (Roman Catholic) Church during the Ordinary Form of Mass, as one approaches the minister of Holy Communion, one offers a sign of reverence.  The U.S. Bishops prescribe the norm as a reverent bow of the head. I suggest to my parishioners that this head-bow should take place when a person is second or third in line before the minister, as not to delay the procession or confuse other communicants.  One receives the host in the hand or on the tongue by stepping within an easy arm’s reach of the minister who says “The Body of Christ”. The communicant responds “Amen”, affirming and proclaiming belief in the sacred presence. If receiving in the hand, one receives the Host by holding one’s left hand flat, with the right hand underneath. One’s hands should be clean and free. If holding a rosary, wearing long sleeves or gloves that cover the hands, or approaching with hands marked by ink, one should receive on the tongue. One should not grasp the host (except in rare cases where physical impairment due to age or injury makes manipulating the host difficult). When receiving in the hand, the communicant steps to the side to consume the host reverently.

   When receiving the host on the tongue, simply open your mouth, stick out your tongue slightly (a good piece of advice is to touch at least the tip of your tongue to your lower lip, with your mouth open 1/2 - 3/4 of the way), and tip your head backward.  The host placed on the tongue by the minister will adhere on its own.
   The communicant then steps to the minister offering the Precious Blood. It is not necessary (but not improper) to make a gesture of reverence when approaching/passing the minister with the chalice.  If not receiving, please do not approach the minister to simply touch the cup.  If receiving, the minister offers the chalice, saying, “The Blood of Christ” to which the communicant again responds, “Amen”. The communicant takes the chalice with both hands, careful that the chalice is always under positive control. The communicant then consumes some of the Precious Blood. To receive communion in this manner, it is necessary that one actually consume enough of the Precious Blood to swallow (touching the lips or simply tasting without swallowing is not sufficient... 'drinking' has not occured).  The communicant returns the chalice to the minister and returns to his/her seat.

   It is not proper to 'self-intinct' from the chalice, that is, for the communicant to 'dip' the Sacred Host into the Precious Blood.  Intinction is only done when a minister of communion is properly prepared to minimize the risk of spillage and/or dripping of the sacred elements.  In the rare occasions when this is done, the only proper way to receive Holy Communion is on the tongue.
   It is also charitable not to approach the Precious Blood when sick.  While a pious thought to conjecture that our Lord would protect those receiving Holy Communion from the possible transmission of viruses and germs which could be received from a common cup, the reality is that the Sacred Elements do participate in the physical reality of our universe, by divine plan and will.  Receiving Holy Communion in this way does expose individuals to some minor risk of disease.  Not only should those who are sick refrain from receiving the Precious Blood, but those whose immune systems are compromised for any reason would be well advised to think twice before receiving.  Because the Precious Blood does have a physical property of alcohol, it may also be wise for those who have sensitivity to alcohol to avoid receiving.  In no case would receiving only one element of Holy Communion be 'less than' receiving both... by way of either the Host or the Precious Blood, one who receives Holy Communion receives the entire Christ in body, soul, spirit.
   For those who are sensitive to gluten, which is a physical reality of the hosts, communicants may choose to receive the Precious Blood only, or they may consult with their parish priest to see if there is a low-gluten alternative which can be provided for them.
   The time after Communion if often spent kneeling, offering prayers of thanksgiving for the Holy Gifts received.  When able, one should participate in the Communion Antiphon or song.  It should not need to be said, but alas... one should not leave Mass early, but departing immediately after Holy Communion.  Not only is this the height of impoliteness to your fellow congregants, but it is showing some degree of disrespect for the Holy Gifts that have just been received.  The only people who should ever leave Mass early are those fleeing a burning church building or those who are entrusted with public service and safety, such as police, fire fighters, EMT's, doctors, nurses, and others who are 'on duty' in these kinds of jobs.

   For non-Catholics and those Catholics who are not properly disposed to receive Holy Communion, the US Bishops offered a statement some years ago, which is printed in the missalettes of most churches, explaining the proper reverence and dispositions for those who are not receiving communion.  This statement is --> here.

   Local custom or tradition may slightly alter the way that Catholics receive Holy Communion in individual churches... some churches use communion rails where individuals kneel to receive Communion, others practice intinction, some do not offer the Precious Blood, still others have novel ways by which people approach Communion without formal lines (as to spare embarassment to those not receiving Holy Communion because of an irregular marriage or some other reason.)  In the Eastern (Byzantine) Churches, there are other rules and customs that one needs to be aware of.  In any case, the best advice when approaching a novel situation is to be slow and intentional, taking all the time necessary to be recollected and to remember the holiness of the moment.