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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Re: Biting the Host	Charles	Friday, October 1, 2004
Question: Dear Brother, As for biting the host when receiving communion, this is my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong. One reason is that by biting it and chewing it, there is always a slight chance that a fragment may get stuck in between the teeth. Some of the Hosts are larger and thicker than others which could possible result, especially for those people that don't have perfectly spaced teeth, in some portion to remain inbetween the teeth. That is why I was taught that it is best to let it disolve. At least that is what I learned.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+ Dear Charles: The reason you give is one of several reasons, from what I understand, that was used to teach this idea of not chewing on the Eucharist. The problem is that Jesus said that He was REAL FOOD. "Real food" is chewed. In addition, the Greek word used in those passages means "to munch". While this custom is well-meaning, it is one of those many mis-placed devotional acts that have developed over time. In terms of the specific idea of pieces of the Eucharist getting caught in teeth, these pieces will STILL dissolve normally in less than one minute. The saliva that dissolves the Eucharist is found between the teeth, too. In addition, some people have medical problems that causes problems with saliva production. In such cases chewing may be required. In any event, there is nothing wrong with chewing the Eucharist, and it is certainly a Biblical practice. At the same time, there is nothing wrong in letting the Eucharist dissolve in one's mouth. Either way is okay and a matter of personal conscience and choice. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Re: Biting the Host

Charles

Friday, October 1, 2004

Question:

Dear Brother,

As for biting the host when receiving communion, this is my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong.

One reason is that by biting it and chewing it, there is always a slight chance that a fragment may get stuck in between the teeth. Some of the Hosts are larger and thicker than others which could possible result, especially for those people that don't have perfectly spaced teeth, in some portion to remain inbetween the teeth.

That is why I was taught that it is best to let it disolve. At least that is what I learned.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+

Dear Charles:

The reason you give is one of several reasons, from what I understand, that was used to teach this idea of not chewing on the Eucharist.

The problem is that Jesus said that He was REAL FOOD. "Real food" is chewed. In addition, the Greek word used in those passages means "to munch".

While this custom is well-meaning, it is one of those many mis-placed devotional acts that have developed over time.

In terms of the specific idea of pieces of the Eucharist getting caught in teeth, these pieces will STILL dissolve normally in less than one minute. The saliva that dissolves the Eucharist is found between the teeth, too.

In addition, some people have medical problems that causes problems with saliva production. In such cases chewing may be required.

In any event, there is nothing wrong with chewing the Eucharist, and it is certainly a Biblical practice. At the same time, there is nothing wrong in letting the Eucharist dissolve in one's mouth.

Either way is okay and a matter of personal conscience and choice.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum