One day on the internet I read an article about the authority of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. The article was saying that we should receive the Body of Christ on our tongue when we are Eucharistic Ministers as only an ordained priest should touch the Blessed Sacrament. It stated that during a Mass with co-concelebrants that even they received on their tongue. The article went on the describe the difference between receiving Communion and taking Communion. I have been unable to find the article again and am having some questions as to the validity of such an article. I thought that it was alright to receive in the hands and now am wondering if it is really respectful of the great sacrament to do so. I am also a Eucharistic minister and had never been informed as to the Blessed Sacrament. In trying to located this article I went through numerous articles and found some contradictary text. I also read the Pope's document dated Feb. 24, 1980 Instruction Concerning Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery. We don't seem to be following these instructions. Could you please clarify this to me and also bring me up to date on the latest writings concerning the Eucharist and the reception of this Sacrament.

-- Judith Lynn Pfoutz (jpfoutz@northland.lib.mi.us), July 10, 1998

Answers

This stems from some error that a Priests hands are anointed so that he may touch the Body of Christ. His hands are anointed but not for this reason. Do you receive Christ Reverently? You have a choice of receiving either way. I receive Him in my hand and Adore Him for a moment before I consume Him as St. Augustine tells us to do.

-- Rich Pohlman S.F.O. (REPSFO@Prodigy.net), August 08, 1998.

Judith, very many peaple have a distorted reverence for holy comunion. If Jesus meant for us to eat of him, it is as a sign that he wishes to become one with us. If my body becomes His body what is wrong with my hands touching Him? Reverence is in the heart, in the mind and in the way we live our lives.

-- Irving Bennett (ibennett@sinfo.net), September 30, 1998.