How come at Church some people receive the Eucharist directly into their mouth while others get it in their hands and then put it in their mouth?

Answer 1

Both ways of receiving the Eucharist are acceptable for Catholics. It is up to the individual Catholic to choose. Receiving the Eucharist directly into the mouth is the more traditional way whereas in the hands is newer. The real question comes down to whether or not the Catholic is comfortable in touching the Eucharist or feels that by taking the Eucharist by hand they would prevent the spread of diseases. Traditional Catholics argue that disease in any form is impossible to spread via the holy bread. However, to increase the popularity of receiving the Eucharist, it was determined that to allow communion to be administered by hand is acceptable. This is as long as the Catholic has properly cleaned their hands and forms a hand-over-hand cup-like throne to place the body of Christ upon. Another reason cited is that by receiving communion by hand decreases the chance the host would be accidentally dropped. A third way which you might see rarely is when the Eucharistic minister dips the host in the precious blood and then places it directly in the mouth. This is called by 'intinction'. This is actually dates to pre-Vatican II as a means to receive both the body and blood of Christ together.