Ask Deacon Mike

This past month we celebrated First Communion with about sixty or so of our children. It was a beautiful Mass. As usual the children were dressed in their finest. They were well prepared for what they were about to do. However, sometimes we see children and adults who seem to have no concept of what receiving the Blessed Sacrament is all about. How do we know? We can tell by the manner in which they approach the minister to receive our Lord. I recently received an e-mail from one of our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion informing me about two disturbing encounters. Let me allow this person to explain.

I must say I was floored (and I don't floor easily) on two occasions in the past two weeks by the way that two children received the Body and Blood of Christ at Communion. Both children would be 8-10 years old. The first had taken such a large sip of Our Lord's Blood that it was dripping out of his mouth. I did my best to try to catch it with my napkin before it hit the floor!! The second was this morning when this child didn't even have his hands cupped to receive the Host. He actually "plucked" it out of my fingers!!!! Is there any way that we could give a gentle reminder to the children of the acceptable way to receive the Body and Blood of Christ?

I understand that this is the exception and not the norm. However, I see this type of behavior from time to time, also. I know other Ministers of Holy Communion also see these types of things. Now we could get up at Mass and do an instruction for the children. But I doubt that many would really pay attention. Therefore, I am placing the responsibility of reminding our children how to receive the Eucharist squarely where it belongs: on their parents.

If you have a child who is old enough to receive Communion and has gone through a First Communion class then I ask that you watch how your child receives the Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus. If your child has not gone through the proper training then they are not permitted to receive Communion even if they are of age. They should be reminded that this truly is the Body and Blood of Jesus and that this is a most sacred time that demands absolute reverence and respect. The proper way to receive the Host is with hands outstretched, one hand over the other with palms facing up. Upon approaching the minister the person to receive is to make a slight bow of reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. After presenting the Blessed Sacrament to the receiver with the words “Body of Christ” the minister will then place the Host on the palm of the upper hand.

No one, child nor adult, should ever take the Host from the minister. The Eucharist is a great gift to us. We should always receive it as thus. After receiving the Sacred Host the receiver is to respond: Amen. This is done as a sign of faith. By answering Amen, we tell Jesus that we believe that it is He whom we receive. Allowing the minister to place the Host on the tongue is also permitted.

Parents should consider carefully if they wish their child to receive the Precious Blood. It is not the responsibility of the minister to deny the cup to anyone. In fact, when we train our Eucharistic Ministers we tell them to never deny Eucharist to anyone. It is the responsibility of the parent to decide if the child is capable of receiving from the cup. As always, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the child receives communion in a proper and respectful manner. Never allow them to take large quantities.

I ask all parents to watch how their children receive the Blessed Sacrament and to explain to them the proper way to receive. If your child is not receiving in the proper way, please show them how. Make sure that you also receive in the proper manner. Children tend to do what they see.

Thanks to the person who sent this observation to me. I encourage everyone to send me your questions concerning the Church, Sacraments or any spiritual matter. God bless you. I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks