The indisputable evidence for why you SHOULD receive Communion on the tongue

Hopefully, this will show there are no grey areas in this matter.

(Image: Man of Sorrows from the main Prague Utraquist Church of Our Lady before Teyn/Wikimedia Commons)

Just about every faithful orthodox Catholic I know has some anecdote in their arsenal about an atrocity they experienced concerning receiving Communion in hand and the irreverence that accompanies this practice.

The dropping of Hosts, rude and arrogant “Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist”, communicants walking off with the Host without consuming it, and Priests refusing the faithful to receive on the tongue are the most common of these sacrilegious horrors.

This practice has of course also been one of the most successful strategies by the enemies of the Cross, to destroy belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Since its erroneous normalization (more about this later) after the Second Vatican Council, it has set a domino effect in motion.

The practice greatly contributed to the declining belief in the Real Presence, which in turn led to a decline in Mass attendance and participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The latter is evident in the weekly long Communion lines and the almost non-existent queues outside the confession booth. After all, if we don’t believe in the Real Presence of Christ anymore, there is no need to be in a state of grace when receiving it.

Couple this with the damnable introduction of “Extraordinary Eucharistic ministers” (which part about “extraordinary” didn’t they understand?), the pseudo-Protestant nature of Novus Ordo Masses and Priests’ silence on holiness, sin, heaven, hell, and purgatory; and you have a recipe guaranteed to lead to the damnation of souls.

Yes, that is how grave a matter the correct mode of reception is.

Coming into the Church as an adult convert, I could not wait to receive the Eucharist. I hungered for it and will argue that it, the Eucharist, was one of, if not the biggest, arguments that convinced me of the truth of Catholicism.

As I have said elsewhere in a previous article, I very quickly realized the Catholic Church of the Ages (as founded by Jesus Christ) that I encountered in my research leading up to my conversion, was shockingly different from what I eventually encountered in the post-conciliar synodal parishes.

The same went for my “outdated” ideas about receiving on the tongue while kneeling. When the date for my reception of the sacraments came closer, I was told in no uncertain terms that “we just give a little bow, hold our hands in the correct position and swiftly move along as to not waste the time of the other parishioners in the communion lines”. Even genuflecting before receiving in the hand, was strongly discouraged. I was confused and it took me moving to another parish where, on the Feast of the Holy Spirit, the loving encouragement of a holy Catholic woman gave me the courage to receive Communion according to Tradition: on my tongue while kneeling.

This change profoundly influenced my relationship with my Eucharistic Lord, the kind God-King Jesus Christ.

My traditionalist friends must forgive me for what is about to follow as they might feel I am preaching to the choir. This piece is for those good Catholics, who yearn for orthodoxy, tradition, and the unchanging and unchangeable Truth but who have been so badly gaslighted by the Modernist heretics in the Church that they can no longer see the forest from the trees. Hopefully, this will show there are no grey areas in this matter. (If you are already part of the “choir” maybe be so kind as to share this article with those who are not).

The arguments:

Reverence and Adoration of the Eucharist

Receiving on the tongue while kneeling expresses the utmost reverence for the Eucharist, which is considered the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Kneeling signifies humility and worship, showing that the communicant is receiving something sacred from God, not taking it themselves.

St. Augustine rightly said, “No one eats that Flesh unless he has first adored” and according to St. Thomas Aquinas “out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it but what is consecrated”.

Furthermore, Pope Pius XII emphasized that the liturgy should focus on the sacred and inspire awe, noting in Mediator Dei that changes in ritual should deepen reverence, not lessen it.

Historical Continuity

The practice of receiving on the tongue while kneeling dates back centuries, fostering a sense of continuity with the early Church and respect for longstanding traditions. They argue that breaking with this tradition risks diminishing reverence and fostering a casual approach to the Eucharist.

Minimizing the Risk of Profanation

Receiving on the tongue is seen as a way to prevent any risk of profanation, such as the possibility of particles of the Eucharist falling or being left behind. The concern is that handling the Eucharist directly increases the likelihood that fragments might be lost or improperly cared for.

Although Paul VI permitted the possibility (an exception!) of Communion in the hand, he expressed concerns in Memoriale Domini (1969, shortly after the Second Vatican Council) about the risk of profanation and lack of reverence if Communion in the hand was adopted widely. He left it up to bishops to decide while encouraging reverence and caution.

Theological Emphasis on Receiving Rather Than Taking

The posture of reception, where communicants see themselves as receiving from the Lord rather than taking, reflects a humble disposition, a core element of the Catholic faith.

Cardinal Sarah noted that "Communion in the hand, while standing, involves a great scattering of fragments. Receiving on the tongue is more in line with tradition and reverence for this sacrament" (Speech at the Sacra Liturgia conference, 2016) and St. Teresa of Avila said, "If we truly understood the Eucharist, we would die out of love and gratitude."

This last statement underscores the awe with which one should approach the Eucharist, a sentiment reflected in the practice of kneeling and receiving on the tongue.

What did the Popes, Saints, and Church Fathers have to say over the past 2000 years?

·       Pope St. John Paul II

“To touch the sacred species and to distribute them with their own hands is a privilege of the ordained.” (Dominicae Cenae, 11)

In Dominicae Cenae, John Paul II expressed concern over a lack of reverence for the Eucharist, underscoring that handling the sacred species should ideally be restricted to the priest, emphasizing the special role of the ordained minister and fostering greater reverence among the faithful.

·       St. Thomas Aquinas

“Out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest’s hands, for touching this sacrament.” (Summa Theologica, III, q. 82, a. 3)

St. Thomas Aquinas articulates a strong theological basis for the tradition of receiving on the tongue. His teaching suggests that the consecration of the priest's hands symbolizes a reverence reserved for those entrusted with handling the Eucharist, underscoring the unique dignity of this Sacrament.

·       Pope Benedict XVI

“I am convinced that the practice of kneeling and receiving on the tongue is more suited to the Sacrament itself, as it is a gesture of adoration.”

Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the faithful to receive the Eucharist on the tongue while kneeling, explaining that this posture better reflects the profound mystery of the Sacrament. He reintroduced this practice in papal liturgies during his pontificate, stressing that kneeling signifies adoration and humility.

·       Pope Pius XII

“Many of the faithful are possessed by a strong desire to safeguard and even to restore, so far as is possible, the integrity and dignity of the rites.” (Mediator Dei, 62)

In Mediator Dei, Pope Pius XII emphasized the importance of maintaining dignity and reverence in liturgical practices, urging caution against innovations that might erode the sense of sacredness. He saw traditional practices as essential to keeping the faithful mindful of the sacred realities they represent.

·       St. Francis of Assisi

“Man should tremble, the world should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest.”

St. Francis’ profound reverence for the Eucharist reflects a traditionalist perspective, emphasizing the sublime mystery of the Real Presence. The saint’s words encourage a posture of humility and awe in the presence of Christ, a sentiment often reflected in the practice of kneeling and receiving on the tongue.

·       St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio, known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist, insisted on receiving Holy Communion on the tongue. He said, “When I see someone receiving Communion in the hand, I feel as if a great sorrow fills my heart, as if something profane is happening.”

Padre Pio’s personal commitment to this practice emphasizes his belief in the sacredness of the Eucharist and the need to safeguard it against any possibility of profanation.

·       Pope St. Gregory the Great

“The tongue, which cleanses what is foul, should receive the Body of Christ, not the hands.”

Pope Gregory the Great's statement highlights a perspective that the mouth and tongue, rather than the hands, are most fitting to receive the Eucharist. His teaching underlines the symbolic purity associated with receiving on the tongue, in keeping with reverent traditions.

·       Council of Trent

“The fact that only the minister of this sacrament distributes it is an Apostolic tradition.” (Session XIII, Chapter VIII)

The Council of Trent affirmed that distributing the Eucharist should be reserved for the priest alone, highlighting a tradition grounded in early Church practice. This directive aims to reinforce reverence and to preserve the sacred character of the Eucharist.

·       St. Peter Julian Eymard

“O my soul, how you should blush to consider yourself unworthy of receiving this divine Bread of the angels in your hands! The priest himself, though he be holy, approaches the altar with trembling.”

Known as the Apostle of the Eucharist, St. Peter Julian Eymard advocated for an intense reverence toward the Blessed Sacrament. His words encourage a sense of humility and unworthiness, suggesting that only the priest, consecrated for this sacred duty, should handle the Eucharist.

·       Pope Paul VI (Memoriale Domini)

“The usage of communion on the tongue must be maintained.” (Memoriale Domini, 1969)

Although Pope Paul VI acknowledged the possibility of Communion in the hand under specific circumstances, he insisted on maintaining Communion on the tongue as the normative practice, rooted in a long-standing tradition meant to guard reverence for the Sacrament.

·       St. Alphonsus Liguori

“It is most certain that the hands of laypersons, not being consecrated, are not worthy to touch the sacred Host.”

St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, advocated that only consecrated hands should touch the Eucharist, underscoring a respect for the sacramental character of the priesthood and the profound sanctity of the Host.

·       St. John Vianney

“There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.”

St. John Vianney’s veneration for the Eucharist is reflected in his words and actions, often promoting practices that inspire awe and devotion. His teachings underscore the belief that the faithful should approach the Eucharist with the highest reverence, which many traditionalists see as being best preserved through Communion on the tongue and kneeling.

·       St. John Chrysostom

“When you see [the Body of Christ] exposed, say to yourself: ‘Because of this Body I am no longer earth and ashes, no longer a prisoner but free; because of this I hope for heaven and to receive the good things therein, immortal life, the portion of angels, to converse with Christ.’”

St. John Chrysostom’s words emphasize the dignity and holiness of the Eucharist, inspiring awe and reverence that is traditionally expressed by receiving on the tongue while kneeling.

·       Pope St. Leo the Great

“One receives in the mouth what one believes by faith.”

St. Leo the Great underscored the connection between the act of receiving on the tongue and the belief in the Real Presence. The Pope’s words highlight how receiving on the tongue can serve as a public testament of one’s faith in Christ’s true presence.

·       St. Ambrose of Milan

“We venerate the Lord Jesus, whose faith we have received in our mouths and retain in our hearts.”

St. Ambrose’s statement points to the profound act of receiving Christ directly on the tongue, which he saw as a fitting means to show veneration and worship.

·       St. Catherine of Siena

“If you were to understand the great worth of Holy Communion, you would spend all of your life preparing yourself to receive it.”

St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, saw the Eucharist as an incomparable treasure. For traditionalists, receiving the Eucharist on the tongue while kneeling helps express the depth of preparation and reverence that St. Catherine describes.

·       St. Basil the Great

“To receive Communion daily and to partake of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ is good and beneficial, for Christ himself plainly says: ‘He who eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life.’”

While St. Basil encouraged frequent reception of Communion, he also promoted profound reverence, often expressed through traditional practices of kneeling and receiving on the tongue.

·       St. Dominic

St. Dominic was known to receive the Eucharist on his knees and with profound reverence, saying, “O wonderful sacrament in which Christ is received, the memory of His passion is renewed, the soul is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.”

His practice and words are a testament to the traditional view that kneeling while receiving on the tongue expresses appropriate veneration for the Blessed Sacrament.

But how did the irreverent practice of reception in hand come about?

In the very early Church (first few centuries), receiving Communion in the hand was practiced in some regions. However, the practice developed over time into Communion on the tongue as an expression of greater reverence for the Eucharist and a way to prevent profanation or mishandling of the sacred host.

From the Middle Ages onward, Communion on the tongue became universal in the Western Church and remained the norm for over a thousand years. This practice emphasized the unique role of the priest, whose hands were consecrated to handle the Eucharist and reflected the belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament.

After the (highly questionable) Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), certain countries, mainly in Western Europe, began to introduce Communion in the hand independently, without Vatican approval. This was partly influenced by heretical Modernist liturgical reform movements that aimed to “recover early Church practices” and encourage more active participation of the laity à la Protestantism.

In 1969, Pope Paul VI issued the instruction Memoriale Domini to address this practice. He consulted bishops worldwide, and the majority expressed a desire to maintain Communion on the tongue. In response, Memoriale Domini reaffirmed Communion on the tongue as the norm. However, Paul VI allowed Communion in the hand as an exception in regions where it was already established by bishops and where it would “help the good of the faithful” if conducted with care and reverence.

Pope Paul VI wrote “The usage of Communion on the tongue must be maintained,” and allowed Communion in the hand only as an indult, meaning a special permission rather than a change to the universal law of the Church.

Memoriale Domini outlined strict conditions for Communion in the hand to ensure it was treated with the utmost respect:

-            Reverence: Receiving Communion in the hand was to foster a sense of reverence for the Eucharist, not a casual attitude.

-            Avoiding Profanation: The Church emphasized that care must be taken to prevent the risk of profanation (such as consecrated particles falling or being lost).

-            Bishop’s Responsibility: Bishops were to oversee the practice carefully, ensuring the faithful were catechized to understand the importance of reverence when receiving in this way.

While John Paul II permitted the practice in some countries, he emphasized in Dominicae Cenae (1980) that Communion in the hand must always be done with great respect, and that the traditional practice of Communion on the tongue has deep theological roots and remains a fitting expression of reverence.

Pope Benedict XVI also encouraged Communion on the tongue while kneeling, especially during papal liturgies. He argued that this posture better expressed the Church’s faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and encouraged it as the normative posture.

As prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Cardinal Sarah frequently emphasized the importance of reverence in receiving Communion and supported Communion on the tongue as a practice that safeguards this reverence.

Redemptionis Sacramentum ("The Sacrament of Redemption"), an instruction issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004, had as its main purpose to guide the proper celebration of the Eucharist, addressing abuses and irregularities that may arise in the liturgy. In paragraphs 91 and 92, it had the following to say:

“91.] In distributing Holy Communion, it is to be remembered that “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”. Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing.

[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognition of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.”

Currently, both options are available with a clear normative preference.

According to the Church’s liturgical norms, Communion on the tongue remains the universal practice and is seen as the most fitting means of receiving the Eucharist.

Communion in the hand remains an indult or special permission, rather than the universal norm. Each bishop’s conference may permit it based on pastoral needs, but it is not considered the default or ideal practice.

In other words, no Priest or so-called “Extraordinary Eucharistic minister” are allowed to refuse any member of Christ’s Catholic Church reception on the tongue or kneeling!

Finally, and most importantly…

Your common sense and faith should dictate how you receive your Eucharistic Lord, the King of kings and Lord of lords and Creator of Everything!

Let’s take a quick look at Who you are receiving and then you decide if you can continue the practice without the appropriate reverence and posture. Scripture tells us the following about the One you are uniting with through Holy Communion:

-            “For our God is a consuming fire” – Hebrews 9:29

-            “For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:  And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11 (Douay-Rheimes)

-            “Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.” – Psalm 23:7 (Douay-Rheims)

-            “By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; and all the power of them by the spirit of his mouth: Gathering together the waters of the sea, as in a vessel; laying up the depths in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him.” – Psalm 32:6-8 (Douay-Rheimes)

-            “God shall come manifestly: our God shall come, and shall not keep silence. A fire shall burn before him: and a mighty tempest shall be round about him. “ – Psalm 49:3 (Douay-Rheimes)

-            “These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!” – Psalm 50:21,22 (ESV)

-            “All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made.” – John1:3 (Douay-Rheimes)

-            “Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne. A fire shall go before him, and shall burn his enemies round about. His lightnings have shone forth to the world: the earth saw and trembled. The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth” – Psalm 96:2-5 (Douay-Rheimes)

-            “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high.” – Hebrews 1:3 (Douay-Rheimes)

-            “And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. And his head and his hairs were white, as white wool, and as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire, And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword: and his face was as the sun shineth in his power. And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last, And alive, and was dead, and behold I am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and of hell” – Apocalypse 1:13-18 (Douay-Rheimes)

-            “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and with justice doth he judge and fight. And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many diadems, and he had a name written, which no man knoweth but himself. And he was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood; and his name is called, THE WORD OF GOD. And the armies that are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp two-edged sword; that with it he may strike the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God the Almighty “– Apocalypse 19:11-15 (Douay-Rheimes)

You now work out with fear and trembling how you will receive your God-King…

Christus Rex!

Recognise and Resist!

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