On the manner of distributing and receiving Holy Communion during Mass 16. Because,according to law, communion is received standing in the United States, pastors are not free to encourage the practice of receiving Holy Communion kneeling. No one is to be refused Holy Communion simply because he or she is kneeling. Ordained and lay ministers cannot encourage the practice either by word or by placing kneelers for the reception of Holy Communion.
17. When receiving Holy Communion under the species of wine, the minister is to make sure that the communicant receives the vessel securely in his or her own hands to raise to the lips. The minister receives the vessel back, purifies the lip of the vessel with the purificator and turns the vessel a quarter turn or half turn for the next communicant.
18. At times, individuals in the communion procession present themselves for a blessing rather than the reception of communion. Priests and Deacons, without holding a host in their hand, can offer a blessing using the simple formula “May Almighty God bless you…” and making the sign of the cross.
19. After the distribution if communion is concluded, the hosts which remain are gathered together over a corporal at an altar, either at the altar where Mass was offered or the altar upon which the tabernacle rests. If the tabernacle rests on a stand and not on an altar, then the hosts must be gathered into one vessel at the altar of the church. The precious blood which remains is consumed entirely and immediately, not after Mass, by the minister himself or herself while standing at the altar, not at one’s communion station or elsewhere. The Precious Blood is not to be consumed in the sacristy either during or after Mass. It is strictly forbidden to pour the Precious Blood into the ground or the sacrarium.
20. The Blessed Sacrament is either consumed or reserved first, then the purification of vessels may take place. The empty vessels which held the Eucharistic species are purified over corporals either at the altar or at the credence table, either during the course of Mass or afterwards. If the vessels are purified after Mass, they are covered by palls or covers until then. Both the ordinary and extraordinary ministers of communion place the vessels used to distribute communion where they will be purified. Servers do not carry unpurified vessels. Priests, deacons, and instituted acolytes are charged with purifying the vessels either during Mass or after Mass. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and other members of the lay faithful including sacristans do not purify vessels either during Mass or after Mass. Priests may purify vessels at the altar or at the credence table. Deacons and instituted acolytes purify vessels at the credence table only.
21. Ministers, whether ordinary or extraordinary, can cleanse their fingers in an ablution cup placed either near the tabernacle or on the credence table.
22. Once purified, vessels used for Holy Communion are washed by the sacristan or others in the sacristy after the conclusion of Mass.
23. Extraordinary ministers return to their seats in the body of the church afterward, unless they will receive a pyx for communion to the sick directly from the hands of the celebrant prior to the post-communion prayer. In that case, they may stand in the sanctuary or in the body of the church to receive their pyx, depending on the circumstance.