Here are the guidelines for receiving Holy Communion:
- The reverence agreed upon by the American bishops when approaching to receive Communion is a simple bow of the head. Kneeling or genuflecting is discouraged at the Catholic Center from a logistical point of view. It has caused people, next in line to receive, to fall or nearly fall.
- One may receive the consecrated host on the tongue or in the hand. If in the hand, please cup one hand beneath the other and allow the minister to place the host in the palm of the hand.
- When receiving the consecrated host and the Precious Blood, answer "Amen" to the words of the minister as you take and receive.
- Each Communicant, upon receiving the host, is to consume it immediately.
- Several years ago the American bishops, on a trial basis, allowed us to dip the consecrated host into the Precious Blood and then receive. This permission was withdrawn some time ago.
- Please keep in mind that, in receiving the consecrated host only or drinking from the cup only or doing both at the same Mass, is to, in each case, fully receive the Risen Lord, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.
- People who cannot or do not wish to receive Communion for whatever reason are invited and welcome to come forward, arms crossed in front of them, to receive ablessing.
- Due to the configuration of the Chapel and the crowded conditions at the 10am and the 5pm Sunday Masses, we have permission from the Archdiocese to stand rather than kneel at these Masses.