Returning Catholics FAQs: How to Receive the Eucharist

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 returning_communion_wikimedia_publicdomain_082116Bishops 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.

By Melanie

Melanie Rigney is the author of Radical Saints: 21 Women for the 21st Century and other Catholic books. She is a contributor to Living Faith and other Catholic blogs. She lives in Arlington, Virginia. Melanie also owns Editor for You, a publishing consultancy that since 2003 has helped hundreds of writers, publishers, and agents.

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