The key word to remember is reverence. We know that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, so we want to treat the Eucharist with immense love and reverence. Here are some key things to remember to help maintain reverence:

• Fast for one hour before Mass.
• Receive Holy Communion in a state of grace. If you have committed a mortal sin, visit the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion.
• Bow as the person in front of you receives Holy Communion.
• Approach the Priest, Deacon, or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (hereinafter Eucharistic Minister). The Eucharistic Minister will hold up the host and say, “The Body of Christ.” Reply with “Amen” (this is an affirmation of truth, similar to it is so).
• You may receive on the tongue or in your hands. Both ways are acceptable so receive however you feel is most loving and reverent.
• If receiving on the hands, hold both hands facing up in front of you at about chest-height, with your dominant hand on the bottom cupping your non-dominant hand. Hold still until the Eucharistic Minister has placed the host in your hand, then use your dominant hand (on the bottom) to pick up the host and put it in your mouth. Make the sign of the cross and return to your pew.
• If receiving on the tongue, open your mouth wide with your tongue resting against your bottom lip and hold still until the Eucharistic Minister has placed the host on your tongue. Make the sign of the cross and return to your pew.
• Do not receive the host with one hand only.
• Do not reach and grab the host.
• Do not hand the host to another person.
• Do not leave with the host. It must be consumed immediately.
• Be careful that no part of the host touches the ground. However, accidents happen so don’t panic if you do drop all or part of the Host. The Eucharistic Minister is trained to handle it!

St. Cyril of Jerusalem said it beautifully:

“When you approach, do not go stretching out your open hands or having your fingers spread out, but make the left hand into a throne for the right which shall receive the King, and then cup your open hand and the Body of Christ, reciting the ‘Amen.’ Then sanctify with all care your eyes by touching the Sacred Body, and receive it. But be careful that no particles fall, for what you lose would be to you as if you had lost some of your members. Tell me, if anybody had given you gold dust, would you not hold fast to it with all care, and watch lest some of it fall and be lost to you? Must you not then be even more careful with that which is more precious than gold and diamonds, so that no particles are lost?”

Are Catholics sacrificing Jesus again at every Mass? Didn’t he sacrifice himself once and for all? The Mass commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and, through the Eucharist, that same sacrifice is made present for us. We do not sacrifice him repeatedly, but we do offer up our very selves and unite ourselves to his sacrifice.

In each Mass we proclaim the death and resurrection of the Lord. The Mass is a true sacrifice and it makes us sharers in the Lord’s work on the Cross. The words of the Lord Jesus at the Last Supper demonstrate that the Mass is a sacrifice:

“This is My body which is given for you” and “This chalice which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in My blood. (Lk 22:19-20)

At each Mass, faithful Catholics who are in a state of grace are invited to receive the Lord in Holy Communion. Children who have not yet gone through faith formation (usually below 7 years) and non-Catholics are invited to approach the altar during Holy Communion with their arms crossed over their chest for a special blessing.

If you or your child have not yet received your First Eucharist (AKA First Communion) and want to participate, please see the relevant section above.

All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.