“Eucharist: Food for the Sick, Not a Prize for the Perfect” PART II “The Physical Manner in Which We Receive Communion”
This week, I’d like to begin with a quick stroll down memory lane. When I was a child growing up in Our Lady of Mercy Parish here in Baton Rouge, so many things were different. Those of you who are older could probably say the same thing about your childhood years. For example, Our Lady of Mercy School was still run and staffed by the Salesian Sisters of Saint John Bosco. They wore the traditional, full habit, black in the winter and white during the summer months. The entire student body walked to church every first Thursday for confessions, and then the next day, we had our first Friday school Mass. How was all that possible? Because at the very same time, there were 4 priests assigned to the parish. More Masses were offered, more confessions as well. The presence of 4 priests made it possible for the whole school and faculty to go to confession once a month. During Mass, many things were different as well. We only received communion “on the tongue,” as it is described, and we only received kneeling—at a communion rail, no less. Many will call those “the good old days.” I will too. My memories are fond ones. However, things changed, and they changed for a reason. I was a freshman at Catholic High when the decision to allow the reception of communion in our hands was made. Brother William, our religion teacher, told us the news and began the process of training us in how to do it. Along with this change came the reminder of the sacredness of receiving the sacrament of Eucharist. An understanding, not only of how we could do it, but what we were doing, was paramount. It still is today. However, the Church is a little more direct and perhaps assertive in what is asked of us when receiving Holy Communion. In this article, I reference our physical posture. To quote, not only our bishops here in Baton Rouge but the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also, “In the United States, the body of Bishops has determined that ‘the norm...is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling and that a bow is the act of reverence made by those receiving.’” (usccb.org) The USCCB goes on to say that no one can be refused communion simply because they kneel. However, the request to stand is made for a reason. We stand before God, despite the unworthiness that we may feel, but proud and excited to stand there and receive. All that is asked as we approach is a simple bow of the head. While some feel the need to make the Sign of the Cross before and/or after, this is not asked of us. Kneeling to receive risks placing more attention on the person than the sacrament. For the record, if anyone has told you that you must receive on the tongue and/or kneeling, this is simply incorrect. In the end, it is your choice. It’s also a practical concern of mine. One weekend during Mass, when someone approached for communion and suddenly dropped to their knees, an older man behind them was startled, completely thrown off-guard, and almost fell. Regarding distribution of the Precious Blood, it is extremely difficult for a minister to serve the cup to some who is kneeling without the risk of spilling the Sacrament. While this is something I will never make an issue of, I thought it was good to return to some of the basics just this once. Reception of Eucharist and the manner in which we do it should not reflect a sense of unworthiness but a sense of gratitude and desire.
Next week’s topic, “Part III: The Sacrament of Eucharist in Relation to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)”