Hope this helps
Have you observed what people usually do upon returning to their pews after receiving communion in your parish? If you behave likewise, this will be suitable.
In my parish they kneel before communion, and after receiving they kneel until the priest returns to his chair (this is after he does all the purifying and folds up the corporal and stacks the paten on the chalice). So, when not receiving, I would kneel just like that. Utilize the act of spiritual communion posted previously.And away we go…You can either just sit in your pew or you can receive a blessing by going up to the Priest or EMHC and cross your arms over your chest making an X. I would advise getting a blessing from the Priest then doing a spiritual Communion while you kneel in your pew afterwards. It is better, I think, then not getting a blessing at all.
Let the “games” begin…!And away we go…
Why give this advice since it’s completely controversial and some priests are trying to discourage it?
Thank you for this post! I recently read an article that suggested we no longer use ushers to direct the faithful to communion by rows. Sounds like chaos, but it was recommended to take the pressure off those who, for whatever reason, do not go to communion but are left conspicuously alone in the pew.
I thought only Priests could bless you. Anyways, I’ve done this and it’s powerful. I’m reminded that it is I who chose to sin. Being so close to Jesus (in the firm of the Eucharist), but not being able to join him is sorrowful. Kinda a mini reminder on what it’s like being separated from God. One time I cryed because it was such a stupid sin that separates me from him.You can either just sit in your pew or you can receive a blessing by going up to the Priest or EMHC and cross your arms over your chest making an X. I would advise getting a blessing from the Priest then doing a spiritual Communion while you kneel in your pew afterwards. It is better, I think, then not getting a blessing at all.
Frequent, even daily communion, is encouraged because it helps us to resist temptation, increases the love of Christ in our hearts and will even forgive our venial sins if received with the proper disposition. To go to a banquet and not partake of the food, in my estimation, would be more odd - why would anyone not want to receive?
Going up in the line for a blessing is good, and either way, the priest blesses everyone just before the Missa.You can either just sit in your pew or you can receive a blessing by going up to the Priest or EMHC and cross your arms over your chest making an X. I would advise getting a blessing from the Priest then doing a spiritual Communion while you kneel in your pew afterwards. It is better, I think, then not getting a blessing at all.
There are different reason not to receive communion even when in an objective state of grace. For example the individual understands that he has not the proper predisposition at the specific time. Perhaps the faithful has the impression that reception of communion during Mass is turning into an automatic act that detracts from the proper understanding of the sacrament. Last night I went to the my second Mass for the day and I chose not to receive communion, I realize that sometime I start to loose sight of the depth of the sacrament and that it would good for me to miss it. Sometime we realize how something is good when we do not have access to it and we start to miss it.
I think that this is a very bad suggestion and seems to indicate a lack of understanding in sacramental theology. People already get a blessing at Mass and getting another one seem to turn more into a feel good superstitious act than anything else. I am saying that especially when it is suggested in lieu of spiritual communion, our final goal as Christians is to be in complete communion with God and suggesting to disregard a partial (e.g. spiritual) communion with Christ goes against the purpose of the Church.
Many Americans I know, including those in my own family, have a sense of entitlement about receiving Holy Communion. They believe everyone should receive Holy Communion, even if you’re a nonpracticing Catholic or a nonCatholic. I have many family members who have rejected the Church, her teachings, and any moral authority it claims. They will openly speak against the Church with pride. But they receive Holy Communion at every funeral and Mass I see them at. And if the priest makes an announcement that only practicing Catholics are to receive, that comment will be criticized at length at the reception after the Mass. It really doesn’t make logical sense.
You can kneel or sit in your pew and pray. It’s nice to be aware of others around you so you can let them in or out of the pew easily. If it throws someone off and they poke you or something, just tell them you’re not receiving.