Why I Chose to Receive on the Tongue

This wasn’t an overnight decision on my part. In fact, it has been something I have been thinking about for years but didn’t have the courage, faith or knowledge to actually seriously consider receiving on the tongue until recently. Let me explain what was going on in my mind.

I have been moved by John Paul II ever since I saw him at World Youth Day in 1993 in Denver, Colorado on the mountains. He has truly been the one I go to for advice on matters of faith and he has also brought me closer not only to my faith but also to my Polish heritage (but that’s a whole different article). He was the reason I had decided to look for a spiritual director. Having read about his experience with his spiritual director and knowing that I really wanted to deepen my faith and grow that much closer to God, I set out on my search. Long story short, this person was the one person I hadn’t considered only because I thought that he wouldn’t have the time. In the end, it was a perfect match (that’s because God led me to him) and I am truly grateful to him and to God for enabling me to grow and take a closer look at my faith and failings and where I can grow.

I had read many other articles of John Paul II’s and some of his Encyclicals and I started to think about why I receive on the hands instead of the tongue. In the past several years, I have noticed here and there people receiving on the tongue, not only at our parish but elsewhere. When we go to my favorite shrine, Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA (of course it is Polish), everyone but us receives on the tongue. That got me to thinking, why do I receive on the hands? Is it because that’s what I’ve always done? Is receiving on the tongue an “option” for me? If I do, will people think I’m weird? All these things went through my head so I decided to do some research and talk to some people.

Of course, JP II was the first one I went to. He had many great things to say regarding receiving on the tongue (and kneeling but with my bad hip I’m not there yet but I’m planning on it eventually). He supported Communion on the tongue at all Papal Masses. I read in other articles that receiving on the tongue is an external sign of adoration that I am saying I believe that this is the Real Presence of Christ. This is very important to me – not that people see but that He sees how important He is to me. Receiving on the tongue also promotes the idea that Christ is the center of my life. These only enhanced my decision to receive on the tongue.

I also had a conversation with a seminarian that we are close to. I knew that he chose to receive this way and I respect his opinions and I knew he would give me some convincing evidence as to why I should receive on the tongue. I do have to admit I was also moved by one of our deacons who also receives on the tongue. He is a very faith-filled man and emulating anything he does I know is going to help me grow in my faith. Lastly, of course, I spoke with my spiritual director who I knew would be in favor of this change as he had grown up receiving in this manner and I knew he would be supportive of my decision to. So I made my decision to receive on the tongue and even told my husband I was ready (he knew that I had been thinking about it).

So the next Sunday I was so ready! I had it in my head that this would be it. For having received in my hands for over 32 years, this was a very big step for me. Apparently, I wasn’t ready. I was right behind my son and as I got to the priest (who I am very comfortable with so it should have been easy), I couldn’t do it. My heart started to race and I started to sweat. Instinctively I put my hands out! Oh no! All that work I had done to prepare myself and I just couldn’t do it. Now what?

Well, low and behold God works in mysterious ways. Two days later, I was at our monthly healing mass (which was celebrated by a visiting priest) and I had a sign from God (which someday I will write about the ones I have had) that tonight was the night. So I didn’t even hesitate a bit. I went right up, bowed, said, “Amen”, and received on the tongue! Yes, I did it, but with a visiting priest ~ now can I do it with my own parish priests was the question. I got my answer yesterday when I went to daily Mass and received on the tongue. I think I took our one priest by surprise since I had always received in my hands. But apparently he figured out that I had made the decision to receive on the tongue because today at Sunday Mass, he didn’t even look for my hands!

If this is something you’ve debated about or even thought about, I say go for it! I’m not sure why but I just feel better about it. I don’t know if I feel closer to Him or if I just feel like I am answering His call. But whatever the reason, I’m loving the way I feel about my decision to receive on the tongue.