Why Don't We See This Headline in Our Diocesan Papers?

Head of Congregation for Divine Worship Says Entire Church Should Kneel for Communion

Not only that, they should receive Communion on the tongue. Maybe if we saw these kinds of articles in the diocesan papers we wouldn't have Pharisee priests denying Communion to people who kneel.

How Do You Approach to Receive the King of the Universe?

In 2010 Pope Benedict explained why those who received Communion from him personally must kneel and receive on the tongue:

The idea behind my current practice of having people kneel to receive Communion on the tongue was to send a signal and to underscore the Real Presence with an exclamation point. One very important reason is that there is a great danger of superficiality precisely in the kinds of mass events we hold at St. Peter’s, both in the Basilica and in the Square. I have heard of people who, after receiving Communion, stick the Host in their wallet to take home as a kind of souvenir. In this context, where people think that everyone is just automatically supposed to receive Communion — everyone else is going up, so I will, too — I wanted to send a clear signal. I wanted it to be clear: Something quite special is going on here! He is here, the One before whom we fall on our knees! Pay attention! This is not just some social ritual in which we can take part if we want to. 

  I once read a quote from a non-Catholic who said if he believed what Catholics say they believe about the Real Presence, he would crawl up to receive Communion on his hands and knees. Does my disposition show this kind of belief and respect for the risen Lord who comes to me in Holy Communion?

Oh, how I wish we would return to using the altar rail and kneel for Communion. It not only shows respect for Jesus in the Eucharist, but is the great equalizer where college presidents kneel side by side with their students, where company presidents and CEOs kneel next to their employees, where presidents kneel beside secretaries and clerks, etc. There is no favored place at the table when one approaches the Communion rail. How I wish its use would return. I think our pope emeritus would approve as well.

Bring Back the Communion Rails! Amen.

A deacon calls for a return to reverent reception of the Eucharist. I couldn't agree more. But don't wait. If you are receiving in the hand consider a return to Communion on the tongue. It is a graphic reminder of our dependence on God. Who gets fed in our culture? Babies, the sick, and the elderly and one other group - lovers feed one another. Remember the cake at the wedding reception? It is a sign of intimacy between lovers. We stand before God completely dependent on him for everything, for the next breath we take. He loves us personally and knows us inside out. I guarantee if you begin receiving on the tongue, you will be blessed by it. God is never outdone in generosity and making yourself humble before Him will not go unnoticed. We can't bring back the Communion rails as individuals, but we can increase the reverence we have toward the Eucharist.

One other thing - reception on the tongue is the way the Church prefers you to receive. Did you know that? Be little before the God who comes to you in the Eucharist. Imitate His humility by letting yourself be fed.