Practices vary parish by parish, and many parishes change their practices with the seasons of the Church Year.
Nowdays the most common method of distribution of the precious Blood is by common cup (unfortunately, by “intinction”); some parishes fill the plastic cups one at a time from a pouring chalice and/or offer the common cup for drinking. Very few offer the common chalice exclusively for drinking.
Distribution takes place either by a continuously moving line or by standing/kneeling by “tables” at the Communion rail dividing Chancel from Nave.
During Lent the most common practice would be kneeling at the rail.
How are the ablutions handled?
We offer both the chalice and plastic cups. And communion is always served kneeling at the rail.