How to Receive the Eucharist as a Roman Catholic

The Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is God's greatest gift to humanity. Many traditions surround the Eucharist, including First Holy Communion, Last Rites and Holy Viaticum. Learn the traditional way to the receive the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church and deepen your connection with God.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Preparing Yourself to Receive the Eucharist

1. Determine if you are eligible to participate in the Eucharist. In the Catholic Church, you are only eligible if you profess the Catholic faith and you are a baptized Catholic who has participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once.
2. Examine your conscience. If you are guilty of any grave sins, you should confess them to a priest before receiving the Eucharist.
3. Observe a one-hour fast. Except for gravely ill people, everyone who participates in the Eucharist is obliged to abstain from all food and drink (other than water) for one hour prior to receiving the Eucharist.

Receiving the Eucharist

4. Say some prayers to God while you are waiting to receive. You may say standard prayers like the Act of Contrition or the Our Father, or other prayers that you compose. The point is to put yourself into the proper disposition to receive the Eucharist. So be humble, honest and thankful.
5. Approach the Eucharist with reverence. If you will be standing in a line to receive Communion, genuflect or bow just before you reach the front of the line. If you will be kneeling, kneel down, clasp your hands and wait for the priest to approach you.
6. Listen to the priest. When he approaches you with the Eucharist, he'll hold It up and say, "The Body of Christ." You must respond with an "Amen," then extend your tongue to receive the Host (Eucharistic bread).
7. Receive the Eucharist onto your tongue, then into your mouth. Make the Sign of the Cross as you turn away from the priest.
8. Talk to God while He is with you. You may say any number of formal prayers or pray in your own words. It's okay to ask God for things, to thank Him, to apologize for mistakes you have made or simply to talk to Him.
9. Swallow the Host before opening your mouth again. This is a way to show as much respect possible for God while He is with you, and to prevent any part of the Host from falling out of your mouth.

Tips & Warnings

• You may receive the Eucharist in your hand instead of on your tongue. In this case, after responding to the priest with an "Amen," cradle your open left hand in your right, palms up, and receive the Host into your left hand. If standing, take one step away from the priest and use your right hand to place the Host in your mouth. You will then make the Sign of the Cross. If kneeling, place the Eucharist into your mouth and make the Sign of the Cross before standing up.
• Some churches administer the Eucharist in both the solid and the liquid form. When receiving the Blood of Christ, the steps are the same except that the priest will say "The Blood of Christ" and hand you a chalice rather than a Host. Take a sip and then give the chalice back to him.
• Consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church for a detailed explanation of the Eucharist. You can also ask your priest to recommend a good book on the subject.