ABOUT HOLY COMMUNION
When Catholics receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion, although not visible to the natural senses, they become united in the most intimate way to the full and substantial reality of Christ’s resurrected and glorious Body and Blood, His Soul and His Divinity on earth as it is in heaven. What is visible to the world, however, is how we practice every day our Catholic faith and moral life. We do not do so as individuals, but strive to unite ourselves to highest standards of our Catholic Faith. In short, it is our quest to be saints.
WHO BRINGS HOLY COMMUNION TO THE PARISH HOMEBOUND?
The "First Responders" are the priest's of the parish so that they can first offer the Sacrament of Confession and administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The deacons of the church have been ordained for ministry particularly to the sick and housebound and likewise bring the Holy Communion to them. The Religious Sisters of the parish, as they have been Consacrated to the Lord, have also been tasked, according to their charism, to support the clergy in visiting the sick and bringing, as necessary, the Blessed Sacrament to those in need. Everyone, whether ordained or not, are encouraged to visit the homebound, join them in prayer and help to prepare for the visiting priest, deacon or religious sister when they bring the Blessed Sacrament to those in need.
WHO SHOULD APPROACH HOLY COMMUNION DURING MASS?
Are you a fully practicing Catholic, able to give witness by word and example to your Catholic Faith as expected from you by the Church, attending weekly Sunday Mass and if partnered, in a Catholic recognized marriage and receiving the Sacrament of Confession as needed? If so, you may approach the altar. There are also many other reasons why even fully practicing Catholics do not always approach the altar at this time.
If you are not receiving Holy Communion, please allow others, as necessary, to move past you to the central aisle. If you do find yourself approaching the Altar and are not receiving Communion, while the person in front of you approaches the minister, you can break from the line and follow those who are returning to their seat.
Alternatively, you may signal directly to the minister you are not receiving by crossing your arms with palms resting on your chest.
Catholics should always be aware that they are not to receive Holy Communion in non-Catholic churches or assemblies. The same applies to anyone who regularly attends non-Catholic churches or assemblies when they attend a Catholic Mass. Doing so, risks disrespect and confusion in matters of Christian Faith and Doctrine.
HOW CATHOLICS RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION
As you approach, make a slight bow from the waist. (Going down on one knee is usually for when you enter or leave a church and the tabernacle is clearly visible or when the Sacrament is upon the altar.)
Always stand close to the minister.
Mindful that Holy Communion is offered from the first step, if someone who is small in stature chooses to kneel, the clergy risk dropping the Sacred Host. The minister should not have to physically strain to facilitate the communicant.
As you present yourself, try not to look at or greet the clergy or minister. Focus attention on Who you are entering into Holy Communion with - Christ.
When responding “Amen”, do so simply, gently and without exaggeration.
When receiving the Sacred Host on the hand, make sure your hands are very clean, placing your dominant hand directly under your other hand. Don’t cup your hands. The minister needs to place the Sacred Host on your palm without touching your palm or fingers. Immediately use your dominant hand to lift and consume the Sacred Host.
Never attempt to bless yourself with the Sacred Host or consume It while walking back to your seat.
When receiving the Sacred Host directly on the tongue, please come close and stand still. The minister should not have to stretch their arm out. After saying “Amen”, close your eyes. Tilt your head back a bit. Open your mouth fully and extend your tongue over your bottom lip.
When receiving on the tongue, keep your eyes closed. Trust that the clergy or minister will place the Sacred Host securely on your tongue. Closing your eyes also prevents you unconsciously trying to help the minister and moving your head. Doing this prevents any hand-to-mouth touching.
What to do with your hands during Mass?
How we express affection to others and our prayer to God through the language of our hands is often personal and at times, particular to our cultural upbringing or acquired customs built up over time. The Mass according to the Roman Rite family also has its own inherited language that leans away from loose casual expressions. Instead, our Roman ritual expression leans more towards formality, without becoming rigid. This is reflected in the different roles and responsibilities of those who gather together in a common ritual of prayer and, for example, how we use our hands during our time of Mass.
We see this in how the priest uses his hands when he announces “The Lord be with you”. He opens his hands wide, not to greet the people, but more so as if he is pushing back a great sliding door or curtain so that we can “see” that the Lord of heaven is truly with us.
In response, the people gathered would not repeat or return this gesture back, but simply respond without hand movements, “And with your spirit”, acknowledging that the “opening” of the graces of heaven are communicated in the Mass, not from them, by through the sacrament of ordination. Because the words of the Gospel are Christ’s own words directed already to the whole world, the ordained minister announcing the Gospel has no need to make this gesture with his hands.
Similarly, during the Mass, having used his own anointed hands, like the prophets of old, to call upon the power of God to consecrate the bread and wine, when accomplished, the priest alone extends his hands during the “Our Father”, drawing our attention towards the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament before us as the way to the Father.
The announcement to offer the sign of peace is optional as there is the presumption that we have expressed this in various ways from the time we have arrived at the door of the church.
The simple guide to knowing the ideal way to approach Holy Communion, when you stand or sit or what to do with your hands, is to follow the example of the Altar Servers. Pray for them that they will always be a good example to us all!