Eucharist

What is the Eucharist?  Is the ultimate Sacramental Sacrifice, an act of thanksgiving to God the Father, a memorial of Christ’s Passover, and the totality of Christ’s Presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. (CCC 1356-1381)

Consecration of the bread and wine represents the separation of Jesus' body from his blood at Calvary.  However, Christ has risen, and as such, the body and blood of Christ can no longer be truly separated. Where one is, so the other must be. Therefore, the person receiving either the Sacred Host or Precious Blood is receiving Christ, whole and entire.  

The importance of this - the receipt of the entire Christ regardless if the body or blood is consumed - is important since individuals with aversions to gluten or fermented beverages can still receive the entire Eucharist by accepting either body or blood.

Proper Reception of the Eucharist:
Because we are receiving Christ himself at the Eucharist, Catholics must be in a "state of grace."  A state of grace means that we are free of any serious sin and living according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.  For adults, this includes if we are married, we are married by the Church.  If we are single, we are living chastely.  (CCC 1384-1395, 1415)

• If one is conscious of grave sin, he or she must make amends to correct the situation and seek forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) prior to reception of the Eucharist. 
• We are to fast for at least one hour prior to the reception of the Eucharist.  Fasting is from food or beverage, including gum, and candy.  Drinking water or taking necessary medication is permitted.

Manner of Receiving Holy Communion in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

To receive on the hands: To receive the Body of Christ in one's hands, after bowing, and responding "Amen," the communicant holds out both hands with one hand cupping the other so as to form a well or throne upon which the minister will place the sacred host.  The communicant takes one step to the side and consumes (eats) the Sacred Host at once. 

What NOT to do:
= Hold out one hand;
= Hold both hands out "side by side"
= Take the Sacred Host from the minister (reaching out)
= Walk off with the Sacred Host without immediately consuming

To receive on the tongue: To receive the Body of Christ on the tongue, after bowing and responding "Amen," the communicant opens the mouth wide, and sticks out their tongue while holding the head slightly back.  This ensures the Body of Christ will not fall out of their mouth, and that the minister has enough room to place it on their tongue without incident.  Hands should be folded together down at the hip/waist.

What NOT to do:
= Barely open mouth so minister must fit Sacred Host between the teeth;
= Dip head downwards 
= Keep tongue inside
= Hold hands up close to face

Receiving the Precious Blood: To receive the Precious Blood, one bows again, and responds "Amen," to the words "The Blood of Christ."  The minister will hold out the cup (to adults) and the communicant takes the cup with BOTH HANDS and consumes a swallow.  The communicant SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY hands the cup back to the minister with BOTH HANDS fitting hands so that they do not bump the minister's hands.

For children: For children who have received First Holy Communion, the child will still bow, and respond "Amen," to the words "The Blood of Christ."  However, the minister may hold the cup to the child's mouth for them to drink if the child is small or the cup is unusually heavy.

What NOT to do:
= Reach out for the cup before responding "Amen"
= Reach out for the cup with one hand
= Hand the cup back to the minister with one hand