The General Instruction of the Roman Missal seems to direct standing for receiving the Precious Blood from the chalice, in all countries of the world. The instructions for receiving Communion under the species of bread are slightly different, at least in the English translation.
From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from
romanrite.com/girm.html :
“286. If Communion of the Blood of Christ is carried out by communicants’ drinking from the chalice, each communicant, after receiving the Body of Christ, moves and
stands facing the minister of the chalice. The minister says,
Sanguis Christi (The Blood of Christ), the communicant responds,
Amen, and the minister hands over the chalice, which the communicant raises to his or her mouth. Each communicant drinks a little from the chalice, hands it back to the minister, and then withdraws; the minister wipes the rim of the chalice with the purificator.” (My bold text.)
Compare this with the similar paragraph for receiving the Body of Christ, without the word “stands”:
“161. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying,
Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ). The communicant replies,
Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed and if the communicant so chooses, in the hand. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes it entirely.”
“160. The priest then takes the paten or ciborium and goes to the communicants, who, as a rule, approach in a procession.
The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.”
In the Latin edition of the GIRM it has in n. 160: “Fideles communicant genuflexi vel stantes, prout Conferentia Episcoporum statuerit.” Meaning: “The faithful may communicate either standing or kneeling, as established by the Conference of Bishops.”
Here is the full Latin of the texts in these paragraphs:
“160. Sacerdos deinde accipit patenam vel pyxidem, et accedit ad communicandos, qui de more processionaliter appropinquant.
Non licet ipsis fidelibus panem consecratum neque calicem sacrum per semetipsos accipere eo minus de manu in manum inter se transmittere. Fideles communicant genuflexi vel stantes, prout Conferentia Episcoporum statuerit. Cum autem stantes communicant, commendatur ut debitam reverentiam, ab iisdem normis statuendam, ante susceptionem Sacramenti faciant.
161. Si Communio sub specie tantum panis fit, sacerdos hostiam parum elevatam unicuique ostendit dicens: Corpus Christi. Communicandus respondet: Amen, et Sacramentum recipit, ore vel, ubi concessum sit, manu, pro libitu suo. Communicandus statim ac sacram hostiam recipit, eam ex integro consumit.
Si vero Communio fit sub utraque specie, servetur ritus suo loco descriptus (
cf. nn. 284-287).”
“286. Si Communio Sanguinis fit bibendo e calice, communicandus postquam Corpus Christi accepit, transit ad calicis ministrum et stat coram eo. Minister dicit: Sanguis Christi; communicandus respondet: Amen, et minister porrigit ei calicem, quem communicandus ipse manibus suis ori admovet. Communicandus paulum e calice bibit, eum ministro restituit et recedit; minister autem labrum calicis purificatorio abstergit.”
(Missale Romanum, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2002, ISBN: 8820972719, page 50 and 65-66.)
The translation for England and Wales may help:
“160. The priest then takes the paten or ciborium and goes to the communicants, who, as a rule, approach in a procession.
The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated Bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another. The faithful communicate either kneeling or standing, as determined by the Conference of Bishops. When they communicate standing, however, it is recommended that they make an appropriate sign of reverence, as determined in the same norms, before receiving the Sacrament.
161. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying: Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ). The communicant replies: Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed and if the communicant so chooses, in the hand. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes it entirely.
If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. 284-287 is followed.”
Can a Conference of Bishops decide that the Precious Blood, from the chalice, must be received kneeling?
Yes, it could be argued: “The faithful communicate either kneeling or standing, as determined by the Conference of Bishops.” In the preceding sentence it refers to the chalice.
The alternative argument: “If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. 284-287 is followed.” In 286 it directs standing when receiving from the chalice. So this decision on standing or kneeling does not refer to receiving Communion “under both kinds”, (i.e. from the chalice). The reference to the chalice in n. 160 is a different issue, not that of posture.
I am trying to respectfully explain that it is not really prudent (could just be my opinion though…what do you guys think?). I think the risk of spill alone is enough to not do it. Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut.