A REMINDER ON HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

“Holy Communion may be received either on the tongue or in the hand. Each communicant is free to decide how to receive and no one may seek to persuade someone to receive in one way or another. However you may receive try to do so in a dignified and reverent manner.

RECEPTION ON THE TONGUE

After making your response ‘Amen’ present your tongue to the minister who will place the Host upon it. Just opening your mouth is not sufficient as this makes it difficult for the minister to place the Host reverently. The tongue needs to be easily accessible.

RECEPTION IN THE HAND

As you approach the altar, place one hand upon the other and extend them forwards so that the minister sees clearly that you wish to receive in the hand, otherwise he will assume that you wish to receive on the tongue. The palm of the upper hand should be flat and fingers straight. When the minister has placed the Host upon the palm of the hand, BEFORE WALKING AWAY, REVERENTLY CONSUME THE HOST BEFORE THE PRIEST OR THE MINISTER.

Since we believe that Our Lord is present in any particle of the Host, however small, care must be taken to ensure that no particles are lost and that any which remain in the palm of the hand are reverently consumed.”
– From Westminster Cathedral newsletter, 22 December 2013. More information about Westminster Cathedral: http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk (external link)

 

TODAY’S GOSPEL READING (MATTHEW 5:27-32)

IF A MAN LOOKS AT A WOMAN LUSTFULLY, HE HAS ALREADY COMMITTED ADULTERY.

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery. But I say this to you: if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye should cause you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand should cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; for it will do you less harm to lose one part of you than to have your whole body go to hell.

“It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say this to you: everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

V. The Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.