When we approach in procession to receive Holy Communion, sometimes the question arises, what is the correct way to receive Communion? In the hands? In the tongue? Down on my knees? Standing? Let us remember that the institution of the Holy Eucharist took place at the Passover dinner (Luke 22:14-16), where the unleavened bread is blessed, broken and shared among the guests. In the fourth-century readings of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, the reverential way of receiving Communion in the hand is indicated: “In approaching therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or thy fingers spread; but make thy left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. And having hollowed thy palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, «Amen»…” (Catechetical Lectures, Lecture XXIII §21). Let us remember that the tradition of the church also proposes a more reverential form, in which communion is received on the knees and on the tongue, this form was proposed for several important reasons: first, to emphasize respect and veneration for the body of Christ present in the consecrated host; second, to prevent the
consecrated host or any particle from falling; and third, to prevent acts of profanation from being committed, whether due to ignorance or malice. It should be noted that the fact of receiving communion in the hand is not sacrilege in itself, but that sacrilege was to be avoided after having received the consecrated host in the hand. Let’s not fall into the same mistake that the scribes and Pharisees made when questioning Jesus about why his disciples did not wash their hands before eating the bread (Matthew 15:1-9).
When we receive communion, whether in the hand or on the tongue, it must be done with due reverence because we are in the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, then we must respond “Amen” when the minister; whether it be the Priest, Deacon, or a Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (Redemptionis Sacramentum 88); presents communion to us under the words “The Body of Christ”, once received the sacred Host is it must be consumed immediately and entirely (GIRM 161), taking care that no particle remains in our hands if we have received it that way.
Let us remember, brothers, that our Lord Jesus Christ is present in the totality and each one of the parts of the consecrated host, let us show the reverence due to our heavenly king, whether we receive communion on the tongue or in the hands. We are receiving the body of Christ, the one that gives us eternal life.