Communion may be received either on the tongue or in the hand. Around 390 A.D., Cyril of Jerusalem ordered that the Church practiced Communion in the hand and instructed his audience: "Approaching, therefore, come not with thy wrists extended, or thy fingers open; but make thy left hand as if a throne for thy right, which is on the eve of receiving the King. And having hallowed thy palm, receive the body of Christ, saying after it, ‘Amen.’ Then after thou hast with carefulness hallowed thine eyes by the touch of the holy body, partake thereof; giving heed lest thou lose any of it; for what thou loses is a loss to thee as it were from one of thine own members. For tell me, if anyone gave thee gold dust, wouldst thou not with all precaution keep it fast, being on thy guard against losing any of it, and suffering loss?"

The Congregation of the Sacraments and Divine Worship authorized receiving Communion in the hand on July 25, 1977, provided the local bishop implements the practice in his diocese. Once implemented, the option to receive Communion either in the hand or on the tongue always remains with the communicant. No priest, deacon, acolyte, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may refuse a communicant Communion on the tongue. Likewise, once the local bishop has introduced Communion in the hand, none may refuse a communicant Communion in the hand (except when Communion is being given by intinction, in which case it must be given on the tongue).

After Communion is received, it is appropriate to stay after Mass and thank Jesus for coming to you in the Holy Eucharist. The Church mandates that the faithful are to be recommended not to omit to make a proper thanksgiving after Communion. They may do this during the celebration with a with a hymn, period of silence, psalm or other song of praise or also after the celebration, if possible by staying behind to pray for a suitable time.

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