Direction During Communion

[schnipn2003]

During Communion, I have seen procedures at some churches where the people are split, in that the back half face the rear of the church to receive the Eucharist and the front half face the front of the church to receive the Eucharist. Is it acceptable to face the rear (away from the altar) of the church when receiving the Eucharist?

Thanks,

Norm

 

[bpbasilphx]

I would imagine that this is strictly a matter of where the Communion stations are set up.

If practicality requires Communion stations in the rear of the nave, that’s simply the way it is.

I attended an ordination at the local Ruthenian Cathedral, and the large congregation required five stations set up. Because of the shape of the Church, there was nowhere else for two to be except in the back.

 

[Joe_5859]

During Communion, I have seen procedures at some churches where the people are split, in that the back half face the rear of the church to receive the Eucharist and the front half face the front of the church to receive the Eucharist. Is it acceptable to face the rear (away from the altar) of the church when receiving the Eucharist?

Thanks,

Norm

Welcome to CAF, Norm!

There is no prescription of the Church that states that we have to be facing towards the altar when we receive the Eucharist.

The most important thing is that we are facing the Eucharist when we receive the Eucharist.

 

[kujayhawk]

There is no prescription of the Church that states that we have to be facing towards the altar when we receive the Eucharist.

The most important thing is that we are facing the Eucharist when we receive the Eucharist.

Well said, Joe 5859

 

[slyboots]

I think this is an enlightening statement. It was for me anyway.
After celebrating Mass facing the Lord I can report these favorable effects from the priest’s point of view:

1. I don’t have to worry about where to look
2. I don’t have to worry about what my face looks like
3. I can weep at the beauty and wonder of it all without concern
4. I can worship more freely and fully
5. I feel more at one with the people of God
6. I am on a journey to God with the people
7. I am not the focus of attention
8. The elevation of the host and the Ecce Agnus Dei have become more of a focus
9. I feel more part of the great tradition
10. I can’t see who’s not paying attention and feel I have to do something to get their attention back." - Fr. Longenecker

 

[bpbasilphx]

1. I am not the focus of attention

---

I’ve never thought the priest WAS the focus of attention.

 

[PJM]

=schnipn2003;5317040]During Communion, I have seen procedures at some churches where the people are split, in that the back half face the rear of the church to receive the Eucharist and the front half face the front of the church to receive the Eucharist. Is it acceptable to face the rear (away from the altar) of the church when receiving the Eucharist?

Thanks,

Norm

I can’t recall a statement on this particular issue. I don’t care for the practice, but Chrsit is infront of them when they receive Holy Communion

 

[huskerfreak22]

1. I am not the focus of attention

---

I’ve never thought the priest WAS the focus of attention.

When a priest is facing the congregation he feels the need often to “entertain” them. I’v served one mass where the priest faced the other way and the priest was crying and told us alter boys that it was the BEST mass he had ever said. (i think it was his first facing the opposite way)

 

[Kevin_Stephen]

I read a lot of books and articles on Catholicism so it’s hard to say a lot of times where and read stuff. I do remember at one time reading something, not sure if it was a quote from the church, or by a saint or what, but somewhere I read that we are to “approach the alter to receive our Lord”. Also, there are many people, especially during adoration, that will leave walking backwards not to turn their back on the Eucharist. But if the Eucharist is being given in the back or on the side, you wouldn’t be turning your back to it because it has moved. But I personally prefer approaching the, very holy, alter and receiving. I also prefer to receive from a priest because of all the things I have read, as well as receive on the tongue.

 

[Joe_5859]

I read a lot of books and articles on Catholicism so it’s hard to say a lot of times where and read stuff. I do remember at one time reading something, not sure if it was a quote from the church, or by a saint or what, but somewhere I read that we are to “approach the alter to receive our Lord”. Also, there are many people, especially during adoration, that will leave walking backwards not to turn their back on the Eucharist. But if the Eucharist is being given in the back or on the side, you wouldn’t be turning your back to it because it has moved. But I personally prefer approaching the, very holy, alter and receiving. I also prefer to receive from a priest because of all the things I have read, as well as receive on the tongue.

That quote was probably intended more to be descriptive rather than prescriptive. There is nothing I have come across that forbids this practice. I would agree that it’s not ideal and I tend to feel a bit odd going to the back for Communion (at those places I’ve been to that do it that way), but I do understand that they are trying to distribute Communion to a massive amount of people.

(Just a sidenote, it’s “altar”, not “alter” )

 

[JReducation]

The “altar” of which the saints speak is not the actual table. It’s a theological construct. That being said, the practical answer to the question is that it depends on the number of people, the place of the communion stations and the shape of the church.

I have been to mass at St. Peter’s Basilica several times. On one such occasion it was the midnight mass for Christmas. I was seated in the seats setup behind the main altar. The entire time we were facing toward the main doors. At communion a deacon came around and distributed communion from a side aisle facing away from the altar.

There are no hard fast rules about where to put the communion stations, esepcially when you have a very large crowd.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JamieMc]

The most important thing is that we are facing the Eucharist when we receive the Eucharist.

I’m just curious as to the physical demands and flexibility one would need to receive the Eucharist while not facing the Eucharist.

 

[JReducation]

I’m just curious as to the physical demands and flexibility one would need to receive the Eucharist while not facing the Eucharist.

Let the deacon and priest worry about the physical demands. You . . . on the other hand, focus on the spiritual demands. Are you ready to receive him?

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF