Last of the Sacraments of Initiation
The Holy Eucharist is the greatest of the sacraments since it gives not only Sanctifying Grace (as all the other sacraments do), but it gives the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, of Jesus Christ Himself. The Sacrament of Our Lord’s Body and Blood is given during Holy Mass and outside of Mass to sick and elderly parishioners who are unable to attend Holy Mass.
To receive the Eucharist worthily one must:
1. Be a Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church
2. Not conscious of having committed any mortal sin since one’s last confession
3. Without food or drink for at least 1 Hour before receiving Holy Communion (Water and Medicine do not break the Fast).
In the Traditional Latin Mass, Holy Communion is given only on the tongue while kneeling (unless one is unable to kneel). There is no response of “Amen” since the priest himself says that for each communicant. To make it easier for you and the priest, please do the following carefully: close your eyes, tilt your head back, open your mouth wide while extending your tongue over your bottom lip, and try not to move until the Sacred Host is placed on your tongue.