On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
I’ve noticed that some people in line for communion have it put in their mouth rather than their hands. Is that all right?
Each nation’s Conference of Catholic 
Bishops decides how the Eucharist should be received. In the United States, that means standing and bowing on the part of the recipient, who then has the choice of receiving on the tongue or in the hand. Either way, it’s important that we always receive Christ with reverence.
You also may see some people kneel as they await the Eucharist. In the United States, the bishops ask that no one be denied Communion for this posture, but that they provided in a pastoral manner with an explanation about the guidance that a common posture demonstrates we are as one in community with the Lord.
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