The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass

At times, it may be hard to believe that our Lord can make the community we know, full of faults and shortcomings, into his Body. Yet this is what we proclaim to be true as we prepare to say "Amen" before the Body and Blood of Christ. Because unity in the Church's reception of the Eucharist is so important, the General Instruction calls for each country's conference of bishops to determine one common posture and gesture of reverence to be used by all in receiving communion. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has determined that in this country, communion is normally received standing and that a bow of the head is the act of reverence made by those receiving. This shows the importance and significance of one common posture and gesture as a sign of our unity as members of the one body of Christ.

As the communicant approaches and stands in front of the minister, the minister holds up the host and the communicant bows the head to Christ truly present in the Eucharistic elements. The minister says, "The Body of Christ." The communicant audibly responds, "Amen," as an expression of belief in the real presence of Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity, who gives life to the believer. These words should not be altered; they are the universal ritual practice for Catholics throughout the world. Christ's invitation to partake of his body and blood is an invitation to enter into intimate friendship with the Lord, through sharing in the mystery of his passion, death, and resurrection. The communicants' "Amen," then,  is also a statement of their commitment to be the body of Christ in the world, to be bread broken and wine poured out for their sisters and brothers.

The minister places the Eucharistic bread in the palm of the hand, and the communicant carries it to the mouth with the other hand. We do not reach out and take the host from the minister; we never take communion, but always receive it. The host is always consumed immediately upon receiving it; we do not move to return to our place before doing so.

The communicant approaches to receive from the chalice, bows the head to Christ truly present in the Precious Blood, and the minister proclaims, "The Blood of Christ."  The communicant again responds, "Amen." Reception of communion under both forms more fully expresses the depth of what our communion with Christ means. Recall the words of Jesus to his disciples, "Are you willing to drink of the cup that I am to drink?" Receiving the cup into our hands is a gesture of faith that demonstrates our willingness to share in the cross of Jesus and become a "living sacrifice of praise."

Sharing the Eucharistic cup more completely expresses the new and everlasting covenant that is ratified in the blood of Christ. Reception of communion under both forms, bread and wine, more clearly responds to the Lord's invitation, "Take and eat. Take and drink."

In receiving from the chalice, the communicant is not to dip the host into the cup. The Norms clearly state that "it is never allowed" (n.50). Receiving by intinction means that the priest dips the host into the Precious Blood and places it on the tongue of the communicant. If for some reason a communicant is not able or willing to drink from the cup, then that person should receive only under the form of bread. A communicant who receives only the consecrated bread or only the consecrated wine fully receives Christ, whole and entire, given for our salvation.