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How To Properly Give Communion?


Dr_Asik

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I often read the lectures at my parish and sometimes am called to help the priest give communion if there aren't enough servants. Are there any liturgical resources that explain how to do this properly? Here's what I do (based on observation of how priests do it):

 

 - First I wait for the person to present herself before me

 - Then I pick up a Host in my right hand and hold it in front of her

 - Then I say: "The body of Christ" (literally, in French, "Le Corps du Christ" - that's what everyone says)

 - Then I wait for the person to say "Amen"

 - Then I carefully place it in her hands or on her tongue depending on her preference.

 

Is this correct?

 

What about young children? Priests will simply bless them but I don't think I can do this as a lay person.

Edited by Dr_Asik
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HisChildForever

Sounds right to me. When they receive on the hand make sure they consume, and when they'd like to receive on the tongue take extra care.

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Basilisa Marie

I often read the lectures at my parish and sometimes am called to help the priest give communion if there aren't enough servants. Are there any liturgical resources that explain how to do this properly? Here's what I do (based on observation of how priests do it):

 

 - First I wait for the person to present herself before me

 - Then I pick up a Host in my right hand and hold it in front of her

 - Then I say: "The body of Christ" (literally, in French, "Le Corps du Christ" - that's what everyone says)

 - Then I wait for the person to say "Amen"

 - Then I carefully place it in her hands or on her tongue depending on her preference.

 

Is this correct?

 

What about young children? Priests will simply bless them but I don't think I can do this as a lay person.

 

Yes, you're doing it right. You don't bless the young children or anyone who isn't receiving. Lay people are only permitted to give blessings in certain (exceptional) circumstances, and communion time isn't one of those circumstances (having a lay Extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion is out of the ordinary enough). 

You can also ask your priest to make sure you're doing it right. :)

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Sounds right to me. When they receive on the hand make sure they consume, and when they'd like to receive on the tongue take extra care.

What should I do if they don't? Run after them? :unsure: Thankfully I've never seen this happen and hope it won't.

 

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What should I do if they don't? Run after them? :unsure: Thankfully I've never seen this happen and hope it won't.

 

No you report it to the priest after Mass if you had a particular difficulty it is not up to the extraordinary minister of holy communion to decide or take action. (at least in Australia, what happens in other countries is up to them)

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