The Archbishop of Lima, Peru, his eminence Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, in a homily Sunday at the Cathedral of Lima, said that the most reverent way to receive the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is on the tongue and kneeling (see CNA, here). While this may seem old fashioned to many who see no reason to “go back” to traditional forms of worship, it is perfectly in line with a new emphasis by the Church to ensure proper reverence when receiving Holy Eucharist, which is the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar, the pillar of the Faith and the summit of our worship to Christ our Lord.
How often do we observe people casually walk up to the altar as if receiving a treat? Are people in prayer as they walk toward the Holy Eucharist? Do they contemplate the significance of the act of which they are about to undertake? If not, do they not know the holy significance of what they are about to receive?
It is our Lord’s Body and Blood! If He were to appear to you in a room, wouldn’t you fall to your knees in worship of our Lord? Of course! At the same time, the Holy Eucharist is our Lord present in transubstantiated bread and wine, just as He said at the Last Supper! So, kneeling makes not only perfect logical sense, but perfect theological sense. His eminence has it right.
Many now show reverence with a bow before receiving Holy Eucharist, which is a vast improvement over a casual walk up. Others, such as myself, genuflect and make the Sign of the Cross before receiving Holy Communion. I have read, rightly or wrongly, this imparts a special blessing. It seems to me this is the least we can do to show our adoration to our Saviour.
As Cardinal Cipriani proclaimed:
The most respectful manner of receiving the Eucharist is kneeling and on the tongue. We must recover the respect and reverence that the Eucharist deserves, because the love of Jesus is the center of our Christian life. The soul is at stake.
The days of the Communion rail may be over, but that does not preclude us, laity and clergy alike, from showing and facilitaing the proper reverence for our Lord.
Cardinal Cipriani urges his flock to show the proper reverence when receiving our Lord’s Body and Blood. It’s something we all can take to heart.
