Reverently Receiving Holy Communion

Before You Receive

Prepare for Holy Communion through prayer, an examination of conscience, and faith in Christ’s Real Presence. Approach with humility, recollection, and outward signs of respect.

  • Be in full communion with the Catholic Church. Ordinarily, those receiving should be Catholics fully incorporated into the Church.
  • Be in a state of grace. If you are conscious of mortal (grave) sin, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Communion.
  • Understand the exceptional case. If there is a grave reason to receive and no opportunity for Confession, make an act of perfect contrition and firmly intend to confess as soon as possible.
  • Observe the Eucharistic fast. Abstain from food, drink and chewing gum for at least one hour before receiving Communion. Water and permitted medicine do not break the fast, and exceptions may apply because of age or health.
  • Approach reverently. Your prayer, attention, gestures, and dress should reflect respect for Christ.

A person who knowingly and obstinately persists in publicly manifest grave sin should not receive Communion. This refers to an objective, public situation—not to ordinary private struggles or temptations. When properly disposed, Catholics are encouraged to receive Holy Communion devoutly and frequently.

How to Receive Holy Communion Reverently

The Church desires the faithful to receive Communion frequently, but the faithful are not required to receive more than once each year during the Easter Season. Even if you are not receiving Holy Communion sacramentally, it is still a grave sin to miss Sunday Mass without a serious reason (e.g. illness, caregiving, severe weather).

Before receiving Communion, bow your head in reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. The ordinary manner of reception is on the tongue while standing, although Communion must not be denied solely because a communicant chooses to kneel. In the United States, Communion may also be received in the hand; however, this practice is not universal and should be avoided whenever there is risk of profanation.

Receiving in the Hand

  • Raise your hands to chest level, placing one hand flat beneath the other hand.
  • Allow the priest, deacon, or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) to place the Host on your palm; do not take the Host from the minister’s hands.
  • Consume the entire Host immediately and in the minister’s presence. Do not walk away, return to your pew, or pass the Host to another person before consuming it.
  • Do not break or crush the Host before placing it in your mouth.
  • If your hands are occupied—for example, while holding a child or an object—receive on the tongue instead.

At the Moment of Reception

  • When the minister says “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ,” respond “Amen.” Do not add “thank you” or another greeting.
  • Consume the Host immediately and carefully. Check your hands and consume any particles or crumbs. If receiving from the chalice, bow your head before receiving the Precious Blood.
  • You are not required to receive under both forms. Receiving either the Host or the Precious Blood is reception of the whole Christ.
  • Do not chew gum during Mass, especially when preparing to receive Holy Communion. It does break the one-hour fast.

Special Circumstances

Gluten Intolerance

  • If you need a low-gluten host, approach the main celebrant and briefly state your need.
  • If you cannot receive even a low-gluten host, you may receive the Precious Blood from the chalice. Join the Communion procession as usual, then approach the nearest EMHC distributing the Precious Blood.
  • Gluten-free hosts are not valid matter for consecration and therefore are not available.

Pastoral and Accessibility Needs

  • If health or mobility requires it, remain seated and arrange for Communion to be brought to your pew. We highly recommend sitting in the front pew.
  • If you have difficulty communicating or swallowing, or cannot safely consume the Host, speak with the priest, Communion minister, or parish staff beforehand so an appropriate arrangement can be made.
  • If you are unsure whether you should receive, consult a priest before Mass.
  • If you cannot receive sacramental Communion, you may still pray and unite yourself to Christ through a spiritual Communion. 
  • If you are not receiving, you may approach the priest for a blessing or the EMHC for a prayer by placing your arms across your chest; or you may remain in your pew.

What Reverence Means

Reverence is both inward and outward. It begins with faith in Christ’s Real Presence and is expressed through attentive prayer, respectful gestures, and careful reception of the Eucharist. These outward signs witness to faith, but they should never become a basis for judging another person’s interior devotion.

In every circumstance, approach Holy Communion with faith, gratitude, humility, and care for the sacred gift being received.