OUTDATED 1970’S APOLOGETICS AGAINST KNEELING TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

If TC remains in place and if I could control just one reform of the Modern Mass, I would state emphatically that that reform should be a return to receiving Holy Communion kneeling at the altar railing or kneeler and receiving on the tongue. Doing this is, in my most humble opinion, more important than ad orientem, although ad orientem would be second. 

The outdated 1960’s apologetics, most of which are not just outdated but wrong, goes like this:

1. We must recover processing to receive Holy Communion as we are a walking, pilgrim people and the Holy Communion procession indicates this!

(WRONG!) Of course we have to process to the altar railing but not necessarily in any regimented, organized way. We all come to Christ in unique ways, but always by the grace of God who calls us! Secondly, the most important procession, the first procession is Christ processing to us! This is most evident in Eucharistic Processions, like the one Pope Leo led for Corpus Christi. It is Christ moving to us, around us and leading us that is important and comes first. The priest distributing Holy Communion to those at a railing makes clear the first and most important Eucharistic Procession! It is our Lord processing to us!!!!

2. Standing to receive Holy Communion recovers an older tradition and represents symbolically being raised up in Christ. 

(RIGHT AND WRONG) Yes, it is an early tradition recovered in the Western Rites, but maintained by the Eastern Rites. However, no matter what position we receive Holy Communion, standing, kneeling, sitting, in bed lying down, we are raised up in Christ. It’s the act of worthily receiving Holy Communion where Christ raises us up to eternal life!

3. Receiving at the altar railing makes receiving Holy Communion a “Jesus and me” act rather than a “we” act. Kneeling is more individualistic rather than communal!

(WRONG AND SILLY AT THE SAME TIME!) Receiving Holy Communion kneeling or standing is always both individual and communal, not either/or, but both/and. In fact receiving Holy Communion as Jesus processes to all who are kneeling together at the altar railing makes receiving even more communal than going up individually to the “minister” of Holy Communion. 

In conclusion, receiving standing, in the hand and on the move contributes to more sacrilege and desecration of the Most Blessed Sacrament than kneeling for Holy Communion and receiving on the tongue. 

Across the theological spectrum priests agree that the modern way to receive Holy Communion has so many abuses, from the silly and unauthorized ways people receive by hand, to people walking off with the Host and people sharing what they have in their hand with young children or people remaining at the pew.

All of us priests, no matter the theological spectrum, report that even when we give a brief catechesis prior to distributing Holy Communion about the proper way to receive Holy Communion by hand or by tongue, people ignore what was just said and do what they want no matter how illicit! Grabbing the Host is the biggest problem along with walking off with the Host.

All priests polled have found Hosts in pews, hymnals and on the floor after Mass over the years. We know too that some take the Host for satanic purposes or for good luck charms or souvenirs.

And studies show that not only do infrequent Modern Mass attendees, but also regular modern Mass attendees, do not believe what the Church teaches to be true about Transubstantiation and the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Nor do they believe that anyone should be excluded nor themselves even if in a state of mortal sin or estrangement from God and the Church.