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All the Churches we have been to have placed host on the tongue, however in the one dd is being confirmed in (school church and not our parish church) it is normal for them to use hands instead.

DD has been having preperation classes for eucharist and is rather stressed now as she has been told theres a right and a wrong hand and its not something Ive ever come across so I just wondered if anyone knew as Ive seen both hands used.

I'm not an expert on the RCC but I have observed two ways of receiving into the hands.

In the Anglican church people tend to put their hands out, palms upwards, with the right hand on top of and supported by the left. They receive into the right hand and then move their hands to their mouth. They do not pick up the host with their fingers.

In the RCC I have seen the hands the other way round (left on top) and then the host is picked up with the fingers of the right hand (because most people are Rt handed) and consumed.

I'm not sure this helps!

no that is useful thanks

Two points:

1) aig is correct. We put our left hand on top to receive the host, then use our right hand to take it and put it in our mouth.

2) If your dd prefers to receive on the tongue, she is perfectly entitled to do so. Although most Catholics in the UK receive in the hand, the tongue is the official 'standard' and the hand is a dispensation. The pope only gives communion on the tongue. It doesn't matter what the parish does, your dd has the right to receive on the tongue if that's what she wants. She doesn't have to, if she doesn't want to stick out or whatever, but all you'd have to do is mention it to the priest.

[Lightbulb emoticon]

I have just learned from this thread that I've been 'doing it wrong' all this time. (I'm CofE but always do left hand on top. I'm left-handed - I suppose that's why...)

(we go to Italian Catholic mass every Sunday, I don't do communion but dp does)

Doesn't matter according to him, but I shall have a close look at everyone tomorrow. He confims <fnar> that if you want it directly in your mouth you need to tell the priest as you go up for it.

I'm catholic - born in Dublin (hence the name!!) and living in Wales last 7.5yrs. I am right-handed and receive the Eucharist by hand. Both palms flat left on top of right. Then use my right hand to place it in my mouth and doing sign Of the cross. I am right-handed. Having gone to convent school and been through rigorous prep for my communion I can confirm if you're left-handed its ok to still receive by hand right over left OR on tongue - all are equally acceptable xxx

According to St. Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386)the newly baptized at the end of the fourth century were directed to stretch out both hands making "the left hand a throne for the right hand, which receives the King".

Am I the only one sitting here reading this and trying out different positions...

Left over right...

Right over left...

[TUO ties arms in knot...]

Right hand under left. Priest puts host into left, use fingers of right to put into mouth, than bless oneself with right hand.

Make sure no little piece is uneaten, and dropped, as it can be carted off by satanic worshippers for a black satanic mass ritual. We were told that (apparently) they lurk in the church for this express purpose. They probably jump out of the confessional, ninja stylee.

You can opt for the wine instead!

I'm left handed, am Anglican (but was RC) and receive with right hand on top, and then pick the host up with my right hand. I think people can sometimes be a bit too regimented with these things!

Sorry that should be pick the host up with my LEFT hand! Would require some "sleight of hand" to both receive AND pick up with the right

Am trying to work out what I do (Anglican). Think I do right hand over left and then lift my right hand to my mouth but actually take the wafer with my tongue.

Am right handed but do as Mary, I think. I've never understood why it should make that much of a difference [ignorant emoticon].
Think its more important to remember NOT to push the wafer against the roof of my mouth with my tongue.

But then, again I've never taken communion in RC church. do take it in C of E, though.

I go to a happy clappy non-denominational church and we just rip a piece of bread from a blessed loaf. Often people will take a larger hunk and share it with their family or the people sitting near them. A real sense of "communion".

I think a few people were asking the bishop about this...