[cyncooper]

You know, your question reminded me of one of the most haunting homilies I have ever heard. It was not long before 9/11 and after that event happened I gave much thought to this homily.

The priest first spoke in detail of the Eucharist, then he spoke of how to properly receive Holy Communion. He added that one should accept the Host and immediately put It in one's mouth and swallow it. He said he was addressing this because they (in the parish) knew there were certain people taking the Host in their hand and then immediately exiting church to go and defile the Host.

It was chilling and it was almost unbelievable to me that the priest had observed such action and knew the purpose. So not only have I often heard priests speak of hell, but also speak Satan as a real entity (as the priest said it was to honor Satan that this was being done) and not merely symbolic of human frailty.

[RobbyS]

Which points to why the rule to take on the tongue was instituted. It makes it more difficult for vicous unbelievers to get hold of the host.