This week I met with my priest support group, and we shared with each other the experiences we are seeing and having with the way people are receiving Holy Communion.  The very fact that there are a myriad number of ways people are receiving is a problem.  Catholic liturgy is supervised by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops in our country and by the Congregation for Divine Worship in the Vatican for the world.  Some principles come directly from Rome; others are permitted to be decided by the bishops of a particular country. 

As a universal principle, there is one prescribed posture and method for receiving Holy Communion.  Each person stands in a line and receives the Eucharist from the paten and from the chalice in a standing position.  Prior to receiving the Host, most people know how to make a small act of reverence, almost always a slight bow. However, many people do not follow the norm of showing reverence to the Precious Blood. Even if they are not taking from the cup, a communicant should pause before the chalice and show reverence before returning to the pew.  Canon Law allows the recipient to receive the Body of Christ in their hand or on their tongue.  The universal posture is standing (with the obvious exception for someone sitting in a wheelchair or in their pew).

Increasingly, we are seeing people kneel on the floor of the church to receive Holy Communion, and then in those cases, always on the tongue.  Often, it is startling to the Minister of Holy Communion to see this happen as well as to others standing behind them.  It is expressly not permitted by our Conference of Bishops or the Congregation for Divine Liturgy.  I am certain the persons receiving this way believe it to be more devout, but there is no provision in the liturgical norms for this.

I am sometimes asked if a person can take the Holy Eucharist and dip it in the Precious Blood rather than receiving it directly from the chalice.  This practice, called intinction, is prohibited worldwide in the Roman church.  A person can only receive directly from the chalice, and only standing.

Catholic liturgy is designed for universality in posture as part of the act of divine worship.  While I am certain people have, in their minds, good reasons for receiving Holy Communion in a manner that seems more reverent to them.  The problem is that this method is not permitted under Church law.

I never believe the Communion line is the place to teach theology.  I am hoping people will read this, reflect on it, and adjust their behavior, if necessary.  I am always willing to engage in further discussion with anyone if they believe it will be helpful.