Should I not be receiving Communion in the hand?

[Archaeology cat]

The only time our priest directs a person to receive in one way or the other is to say that if you don't have both hands free (say, because of holding a child), you should receive on the tongue. I prefer receiving on the tongue, personally. I've only had an issue with a priest dropping it once (older priest, and altar server didn't have the paten under me), so of course I immediately scooped up the Host and consumed Him. I usually don't receive from the Chalice because I've had a child bump my arm and cause some of the Precious Blood to spill before.  I knew what to do, so all ended up OK, but still. 

[Ice_nine]

If we're talking about particles of a microscopic nature I would assume, no matter how careful you might be and no matter which way you recieve, particles of the Eucharist will land on the floor/clothes/skin etc. It's a consequence of entering our physical world. I'm sure God was aware of this, after all Christ became man to die a horrible, bloody death. If some particles accidentally wind up where they should not be, I'm sure it's more akin to injuring Christ in an accidental way (like maybe stepping on his feet on accident) rather than trampling over his dying body.

[Nihil Obstat]

11 minutes ago, Ice_nine said:

If we're talking about particles of a microscopic nature I would assume, no matter how careful you might be and no matter which way you recieve, particles of the Eucharist will land on the floor/clothes/skin etc. It's a consequence of entering our physical world. I'm sure God was aware of this, after all Christ became man to die a horrible, bloody death. If some particles accidentally wind up where they should not be, I'm sure it's more akin to injuring Christ in an accidental way (like maybe stepping on his feet on accident) rather than trampling over his dying body.

If I am not mistaken, we consider the species of bread to be undermined at the point where it can no longer be distinguished with the naked eye. If and when the species does not obtain, it is no longer the Eucharistic host.

On that note, there is no reason whatsoever that the paten should not be used everywhere and at all times during distribution of Communion. It has both practical and symbolic/theological meaning, and discarding it has no positive effects at all.

[Ice_nine]

15 minutes ago, Nihil Obstat said:

If I am not mistaken, we consider the species of bread to be undermined at the point where it can no longer be distinguished with the naked eye. If and when the species does not obtain, it is no longer the Eucharistic host.

On that note, there is no reason whatsoever that the paten should not be used everywhere and at all times during distribution of Communion. It has both practical and symbolic/theological meaning, and discarding it has no positive effects at all.

well I've heard so long as the host retains the appearance of bread then it is still the Eucharist. I'm not sure. If a particle of dust, for example, settles small falls to the ground you may not be able to see it standing up, but maybe you could if you got on your hands and knees and really looked.

[Seven77]

16 hours ago, Not A Real Name said:

I don't understand how receiving communion should be up to how we feel. Shouldn't we be concerned about our Eucharistic Lord and what happens to Him? I've never seen one Catholic able to show that communion in the hand gives less risk of dropping our Eucharistic Lord than communion on the tongue.  Is how we feel more important than protecting Christ? 

 

 While I would tend to agree with what he said in the video, dude was really obnoxious and irritating to listen to.

About this topic I say that would say that yes receiving on the hand is permitted but that seems like a bare minimum thing to me--- and why should we settle on on a bare minimum? Actually, the more I think about this in particular, I don't see why anyone should receive on the hand unless they have some kind of serious reason to do so

[Gabriela]

7 minutes ago, Seven77 said:

dude was really obnoxious and irritating to listen to.

Amen. I couldn't go beyond "IT'S GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Not A Real Name]

22 minutes ago, Seven77 said:

 While I would tend to agree with what he said in the video, dude was really obnoxious and irritating to listen to.

About this topic I say that would say that yes receiving on the hand is permitted but that seems like a bare minimum thing to me--- and why should we settle on on a bare minimum? Actually, the more I think about this in particular, I don't see why anyone should receive on the hand unless they have some kind of serious reason to do so

Yes, I agree he's obnoxious but despite this the video is good and he is fair to both sides. 

[PhuturePriest]

I was waiting for Not A Real Name to go "Um, that's me in the video." and make the whole thread freeze with awkward embarrassment.

Unfortunately, he missed that golden opportunity and consequently left me deeply disappointed.

[Guest]

I find receiving on the tongue to be really awkward when I try to picture it in my mind. I tried practicing in front of a mirror and I don't know. Anyways I'm rarely in a state of grace/worthiness to receive so it will probably be a while before I'm faced with this issue again. It's really crazy how after I receive Communion the devil attacks me so aggressively. I hope to make it to Confession again soon and not let my  soul linger in this state. I'm looking to go Confess at another Church because I know I won't be able to go back to the same Parish and Confessor. Even after getting back in a state of grace *AGAIN* (Lord Willing) I can't see myself going up to Communion for awhile. The feelings of guilt, shame and feeling like a hypocrite are to over powering. Usually when I fall back into sin immediately after receiving Communion I just avoid Confession for months and as a result don't receive Communion. Although this time I want to go to Confession and get back in a state of grace ASAP but I can't see myself going up for Communion for awhile. Interesting replies and information in this thread. Thanks. God bless everyone. 

Edited April 6, 2016 by Guest

[Nihil Obstat]

3 minutes ago, Josh said:

I find receiving on the tongue to be really awkward when I try to picture it in my mind. I tried practicing in a mirror and I don't know. Anyways I'm rarely in a state of grace/worthiness to receive so it will probably be a while before I'm faced with this issue again. It's really crazy how after I receive Communion the devil attacks me so aggressively. I hope to make it to Confession again soon and not let my  soul linger in this state. I'm looking to go Confess at another Church because I know I won't be able to go back to the same Parish and Confessor. Even after getting back in a state of grace *AGAIN* (Lord Willing) I can't see myself going up to Communion for awhile. The feelings of guilt, shame and feeling like a hypocrite are to over powering. Usually when I fall back into sin immediately after receiving Communion I just avoid Confession for months and as a result don't receive Communion. Although this time I want to go to Confession and get back in a state of grace but I can't see myself going up for Communion for awhile. Interesting replies and information in this thread. God bless everyone. Thanks.

Eventually you will die. Could happen at any moment, perhaps with no warning. Take care of your soul. The same goes for all of us.

[Gabriela]

Josh, if there's a particular sin you're struggling really hard with, you should be both going to regular confession AND getting help from a counselor to overcome that particular sin. I totally understand how hard it is to confess the same thing again and again in confession, and I totally understand the urge to avoid confession as a result of that. But avoiding confession doesn't help the situation, and so you need to "add something on" to what you're doing to help you get to the point that you don't want to avoid confession, so you can go to regular confession, so you can be healed by it.

Counseling is probably that thing. Or a spiritual director. Or a support group. Or something. Think about it, brother.

[Benedictus]

On 05/04/2016, 02:55:57, Gabriela said:

So am I a bad Catholic if I use whichever knee is closer to the pew?  

In some places the custom is to bow, not genuflect. I do either, depending where I am. If bowing I do it on entry, at communion (if receiving in the hand) and on departure. Never a quick head tilt though, no no.

[Benedictus]

16 hours ago, Josh said:

I find receiving on the tongue to be really awkward when I try to picture it in my mind. I tried practicing in front of a mirror and I don't know. Anyways I'm rarely in a state of grace/worthiness to receive so it will probably be a while before I'm faced with this issue again. It's really crazy how after I receive Communion the devil attacks me so aggressively. I hope to make it to Confession again soon and not let my  soul linger in this state. I'm looking to go Confess at another Church because I know I won't be able to go back to the same Parish and Confessor. Even after getting back in a state of grace *AGAIN* (Lord Willing) I can't see myself going up to Communion for awhile. The feelings of guilt, shame and feeling like a hypocrite are to over powering. Usually when I fall back into sin immediately after receiving Communion I just avoid Confession for months and as a result don't receive Communion. Although this time I want to go to Confession and get back in a state of grace ASAP but I can't see myself going up for Communion for awhile. Interesting replies and information in this thread. Thanks. God bless everyone. 

I'd say to keep going back to the same confessor each and every time. It helps avoid the sin in the long run, at least that's my experience. I know that if I have to see the priest again it makes me less willing to give in, so I will sin less. It's a discipline of sorts. Not easy, but  eternally helpful.

If I have to face God with my sin then it's nothing to have to see the same priest. It's only my pride that would stop me, as much as any other feeling. That needs admitting too. I've always been encouraged and told to keep coming back if I need it.  God will forgive a sincere and contrite heart. 

It is also helpful I find to make an appointment with the priest, outside of the confession time, to talk about general struggles. It makes them more informed when you see them in confessional. They can cover more ground and give you readings and stuff. I had a journal where I'd write down my struggles, sins etc and then reflect back later in prayer to look for patterns, triggers etc. You can then be more informed about tackling them. There is often an emotional or impulse issue in there causing repeat sins.

As others have said an SD or similar 'talking person' is also good for certain types of challenges too.  Prayers

Edited April 6, 2016 by Benedictus

[Gabriela]

I think that's two threads now where you've gotten advice to journal, Josh.