Refused Holy Communion

[CathBoy1]

Hello,
I was wondering what to do in this situation.
Some background first, I have always received on the tongue, usually standing unless the local custom is to kneel.
I was taught by my parents to receive on the tongue & to receive from the priest.
I’m 29 now and I think I can count on one hand how many times I’ve received from a EMHC.
But this past July after reading about Cardinal Sarah’s Appeal, I decided to try receiving on the tongue kneeling (I should mention the parish I was attending was in a town im staying in for a few months due to work), I was refused, I was told by the priest “please get up!” I complied and received standing on the tongue. I had a rush of feelings (embarrassment, anger, ect.) which I tried to let go of immediately.
I’m now completely “gun shy” (for lack of a better term) to even think of trying to receive on my knees (unless I’m in a parish in which that is the custom).
I’m pretty sure he (the priest) shouldn’t have done that (am I wrong?).

As an aside, I noticed, being a visitor to this parish that they (at this parish) do not kneel after receiving Holy Communion (is that against the rubics?). I mention this because after the above mentioned incident I started attending at a Byzantine Catholic parish for a few weeks, before I (coincidentally) attended once again at the Latin parish and this time the bishop was offering the Mass, and after the reception of the Eucharist, he instructed all to kneel (which I already was) and take a moment to appreciate that we were in the presence of our Lord.

 

[babochka]

Hello,
I was wondering what to do in this situation.
Some background first, I have always received on the tongue, usually standing unless the local custom is to kneel.
I was taught by my parents to receive on the tongue & to receive from the priest.
I’m 29 now and I think I can count on one hand how many times I’ve received from a EMHC.
But this past July after reading about Cardinal Sarah’s Appeal, I decided to try receiving on the tongue kneeling (I should mention the parish I was attending was in a town im staying in for a few months due to work), I was refused, I was told by the priest “please get up!” I complied and received standing on the tongue. I had a rush of feelings (embarrassment, anger, ect.) which I tried to let go of immediately.
I’m now completely “gun shy” (for lack of a better term) to even think of trying to receive on my knees (unless I’m in a parish in which that is the custom).
I’m pretty sure he (the priest) shouldn’t have done that (am I wrong?).

Even though you have a right to receive Holy Communion kneeling, I think it is always a good idea to have a talk with the priest first, so that he isn’t blindsided. Right or wrong, it is unusual to see a person kneeling to receive Communion and could be disconcerting for the priest. I hold to the same idea when it comes to my young children receiving Holy Communion. They have a right to receive, but I would not blindside a priest during Mass by presenting them for Communion. It would cause confusion and it is a simple matter to speak to him ahead of time.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Regarding kneeling *for *Communion, the General Instruction for the Roman Missal says:

1. …] The norm established for the Dioceses of the United States of America is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling …]. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. …]

Regarding kneeling *after *Communion, it says:

1. …] if appropriate, they may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion.

That’s the English translation from the USCCB website. I’m not sure what “if appropriate” means here (e.g. does it mean either sitting or kneeling is appropriate, or does it mean in some cases neither sitting nor kneeling is appropriate?)

To complicate matters, it also says:

…] For the sake of uniformity in gestures and bodily postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the instructions which the Deacon, a lay minister, or the Priest gives, according to what is laid down in the Missal.

I give no analysis here; this is just what the English translation of the GIRM says.

 

[CathBoy1]

Quote:
43. …] if appropriate, they may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion

I should’ve been more descriptive, the congregation was standing after receiving Holy Communion.
I’m still confused wether or not that is against the rubics, I just knelt anyway.
I was even more confused after my next visit when the bishop instructed everyone to kneel.

 

[Phemie]

Quote:
43. …] if appropriate, they may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion

I should’ve been more descriptive, the congregation was standing after receiving Holy Communion.
I’m still confused wether or not that is against the rubics, I just knelt anyway.
I was even more confused after my next visit when the bishop instructed everyone to kneel.

Standing is the default posture but both kneeling and sitting are also OK. It’s up to you. In some parishes everyone remains standing, in others everyone kneels, and in some it’s a combination of postures depending on each person’s preference.

 

[jmcrae]

Standing is the default posture but both kneeling and sitting are also OK. It’s up to you. In some parishes everyone remains standing, in others everyone kneels, and in some it’s a combination of postures depending on each person’s preference.

In some Dioceses, including mine, the Bishop has instructed that we stand after receiving Holy Communion until all have received. This is meant to be followed by a time of silence in which we can finish our silent prayers of thanksgiving, either kneeling or sitting.

 

[Phemie]

In some Dioceses, including mine, the Bishop has instructed that we stand after receiving Holy Communion until all have received. This is meant to be followed by a time of silence in which we can finish our silent prayers of thanksgiving, either kneeling or sitting.

Bishop Henry?

I haven’t been to too many parishes where you actually have time to pray after everyone has received Communion.