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''Wherever I go in the whole world, the thing that makes me the saddest is watching people receive Communion in the hand.'" - Mother Teresa

Oh, smedley, I hope RnMomof7 doesn't see this post. She has spent all weekend attacking Mother Teresa, as a poor example of christianity!

When they receive communion standing, it is strongly recommended that, approaching in line they make a sign of reverence before receiving the sacrament.

Someone needs to send a directive to the bishops and down to the priests that this instruction be given to the congregants, with monthly reminders until they get it right. I have seen but a few in my parish show any sign of respect for the Eucharist. Oh, wait, I forgot .... this is Albany, home to one of the most liberal bishops in the USCCB! Mea culpa! /sarcasm off>

I have friends that routinely genuflect before receiving communion. On several occasions they have been reprimanded for this pious practice, ostensibly because they could potentially 'disrupt the line'.

As for me, I make it a habit of getting into a line with a priest distributing communion. Once I was visiting a church where the line split at the front with every other person going to the Eucharistic minister. As I prefer to receive from the priest, I stayed in line even when it was clearly my turn to go to the Eucharistic minister. Amazingly enough, there was a large gentleman 'herding' the people at the front of the line and he ordered me to go to the Eucharistic minister. The first time, I paid no attention to him. The second time, he put his hand on me and I gave him a look and said "I prefer to receive from the priest." He backed off, I received communion (on the tongue, of course), and that was that. I couldn't believe the attitude, though!

Someone needs to send a directive to the bishops and down to the priests that this instruction be given to the congregants, with monthly reminders until they get it right.

Keep trying! We never know who our example will touch.