When we receive the Immaculate Mysteries, we should always make sure that the communion cloth is held carefully under our chin, that our head is slightly tilted back and that our mouth is opened well enough in advance for the Priest to place the Spoon in it easily. We then close our lips on the Spoon as the Priest communes us, and allow him to draw the Spoon out, with our lips closed, thus wiping the Spoon clean. We should never pull our heads away while the spoon is still in our mouths. We then carefully wipe our lips on the communion cloth and reverently withdraw from the Holy Chalice to take the Antidoron.
The most critical concern for us when we commune is to make certain that we do nothing that might accidentally tip or knock the Holy Chalice or Spoon from the Priest’s hand. As well, when we partake of the Antidoron, we should be very careful not to let any crumbs drop to the floor.
After the final blessing, the Communion Prayers of Thanksgiving are read by the Readers. If we have been accounted worthy to receive the Immaculate Mysteries, we stay quietly in the Church contemplating the Mysteries of God and His mercy, as the prayers exhort us to do. We should refrain from greeting friends and acquaintances until after we have left the Church proper. The Priest is still consuming the Mysteries which remained and is cleaning the Chalice. Our Lord is still present in the Altar. An atmosphere of quiet reverence, therefore, should always be maintained within the Church.
Many adults are already aware of these basic rules of piety however it is important that they also teach them to their children.
