First Communion Parish Preparation Center
PART 3 - The "How To" in Receiving Communion
We all know that practice makes us better at what we do.
In this PART, you learn the gestures to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
The way you walk forward, bow, hold your hands, say 'AMEN', and do the Sign of the Cross
are all gestures that should be made reverently.
Watch the short video below and practice the gestures to receive Holy Communion.
At the end of PART 3, submit your response and continue to PART 4.
Contact Jody in the Faith Formation Office, for more information.
PART 3 - The "How To" in Receiving Communion
We all know that practice makes us better at what we do.
In this PART, you learn the gestures to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
The way you walk forward, bow, hold your hands, say 'AMEN', and do the Sign of the Cross
are all gestures that should be made reverently.
Watch the short video below and practice the gestures to receive Holy Communion.
At the end of PART 3, submit your response and continue to PART 4.
Contact Jody in the Faith Formation Office, for more information.
ACTIVITY: Together watch a 4-minute video on the Do's and Don'ts of Receiving Communion.
Enjoy this Busted Halo video Sacraments 101: Eucharist (how we receive). Should Catholics receive communion on the hand or on the tongue? And how exactly are we supposed to do that reverently? Is there any other acceptable response besides “Amen?” …and what does “amen” mean anyway?
Click HERE to begin the video.
ACTIVITY: Take time to PRACTICE receiving Communion. Get someone to role play with you. Use small crackers, chips or cereal on a plate, grape juice in a goblet/chalice, and you'll need a small white cloth (purificator).
Children, on the day you receive your First Holy Communion, you will go up to receive Communion as individuals and meet with Father near the altar. At all other Masses, you will walk up in single lines.
Parent(s) can act as Communion Minister
1. Show your child how to hold their hands to receive the Host. (dominant hand on the bottom)
Have your child approach with hands in prayer and bow.
They move their RIGHT hand underneath the LEFT hand (depending on dominant hand) and extend to receive OR receive on the tongue.
Take a host and say, “The Body of Christ”, and place in their hands.
They respond by saying, "AMEN".
They use their bottom or dominant hand to eat. Then, they make the Sign of the Cross and return hands in prayer.
Remind them that we never grab at the host. We allow the Eucharistic Minister or Father to set the host in the palm of our hand. We eat the Body of Christ slowly and keep our mouths closed while chewing. We never take it out of our mouth or make funny faces as we eat it.
2. Show your child how to hold the chalice using two hands, dominant hand under and other around the cup. (NOTE: During this time of restrictions, people other than clergy will NOT receive from the cup during Mass).
Have your child approach with hands in prayer and bow.
Take the chalice and say, “The Blood of Christ”, and place into their hands.
They respond by saying, "AMEN".
They take a sip and carefully give the chalice back to you. Use the purificator (white towel) to wipe the cup.
Then, they make the sign of the cross, place hands in prayer and return to the pew.
Remind them to never spit it out, wipe their mouth off or make funny faces when they receive from the chalice.
Enjoy this Busted Halo video Sacraments 101: Eucharist (how we receive). Should Catholics receive communion on the hand or on the tongue? And how exactly are we supposed to do that reverently? Is there any other acceptable response besides “Amen?” …and what does “amen” mean anyway?
Click HERE to begin the video.
ACTIVITY: Take time to PRACTICE receiving Communion. Get someone to role play with you. Use small crackers, chips or cereal on a plate, grape juice in a goblet/chalice, and you'll need a small white cloth (purificator).
Children, on the day you receive your First Holy Communion, you will go up to receive Communion as individuals and meet with Father near the altar. At all other Masses, you will walk up in single lines.
Parent(s) can act as Communion Minister
1. Show your child how to hold their hands to receive the Host. (dominant hand on the bottom)
Have your child approach with hands in prayer and bow.
They move their RIGHT hand underneath the LEFT hand (depending on dominant hand) and extend to receive OR receive on the tongue.
Take a host and say, “The Body of Christ”, and place in their hands.
They respond by saying, "AMEN".
They use their bottom or dominant hand to eat. Then, they make the Sign of the Cross and return hands in prayer.
Remind them that we never grab at the host. We allow the Eucharistic Minister or Father to set the host in the palm of our hand. We eat the Body of Christ slowly and keep our mouths closed while chewing. We never take it out of our mouth or make funny faces as we eat it.
2. Show your child how to hold the chalice using two hands, dominant hand under and other around the cup. (NOTE: During this time of restrictions, people other than clergy will NOT receive from the cup during Mass).
Have your child approach with hands in prayer and bow.
Take the chalice and say, “The Blood of Christ”, and place into their hands.
They respond by saying, "AMEN".
They take a sip and carefully give the chalice back to you. Use the purificator (white towel) to wipe the cup.
Then, they make the sign of the cross, place hands in prayer and return to the pew.
Remind them to never spit it out, wipe their mouth off or make funny faces when they receive from the chalice.
As a sign of reverence, we keep our hands folded in prayer as we return to our pew. After receiving Holy Communion, we thank Jesus. Some people even keep their eyes closed in their pew so they can think about Jesus. Pray in thanksgiving at this time.
This is an example of a prayer for after Communion:
Lord, Jesus, I love and adore you. You are a special friend to me.
Welcome and thank you for coming to me.
Make me strong to show your love wherever I may be.
I am ready now, Lord, Jesus, to show how much I care.
I am ready now to Shine Your Light everywhere.
Amen.
This is an example of a prayer for after Communion:
Lord, Jesus, I love and adore you. You are a special friend to me.
Welcome and thank you for coming to me.
Make me strong to show your love wherever I may be.
I am ready now, Lord, Jesus, to show how much I care.
I am ready now to Shine Your Light everywhere.
Amen.
Take time and discuss the following:
Why is it important to practice receiving Communion? Remember, when you practice something good over and over, you become confident and it becomes a virtue - a behavior leading to the good.
Why is it important to practice receiving Communion? Remember, when you practice something good over and over, you become confident and it becomes a virtue - a behavior leading to the good.