Chewing the Consecrated Host...

[kujo]

Hey ya'll. In a truly-humbling moment in my ministry, a teen asked me whether or not we were supposed to chew the Eucharist. After bumbling like an idiot for a few minutes, I said "You know what? I have no idea. Let me get back to you."

So here I am. Ya'll seem to be much smarter than I. From what I gather, it was customary prior to Vatican II to *not* chew the Host. But I can't seem to find out whether or not that is still the case.

Little help here?

In Christ,
Kujo
Director of Music & Worship
www.catholicteens.com

P.S.- I have chewed on Jesus since the day of my First Holy Communion so this answer is especially-important to me. I don't want to go to hell....

[Laudate_Dominum]

The Greek words that the Gospel records of Christ's Eucharistic discourses indicate a very literal and down to earth eating of the Eucharist. It is often pointed out that the word used in John 6 to describe the consumption of the Eucharist can be understood as "to munch" or "to gnaw". Basically the sense indicates a real chewing of the Eucharist.

I've known people who don't chew the Host out of a kind of personal reverence or devotion, but this is merely private devotion. Jesus give Himself to us as food, and food is meant to be chewed.

I'm not saying that one must chew or not chew, the important thing is the consumption of the Eucharist and ultimately the communion with Christ and participation in the Mystery of His Body and Blood. You have done absolutely nothing wrong and if you're worried about going to hell, this could be some sort of trick from the devil to make you feel alienated from Christ in the Eucharist.
My mom chews, but I personally prefer not to, but I've noticed that priests tend to chew. Either way I suppose such a thing is more a matter of personal disposition.

[Theoketos]

My second grade teacher said not to chew in a way that you would have to pick the host out of your teeth.