The reception of the Holy Eucharist under both Bread and Wine is a restoration of the practice of the early church. Some people are still not familiar with it, but most people are eager to receive in this way. The desire of the Church, under the Second Vatican Council, is to create within the liturgy the sacred experience of the whole community sharing at the banquet table of the Lord. Consequently, the task of ministering at the holy banquet is a solemn and serious one. It must be a ritual of reverence and care that seeks always to evoke an act of great faith in the person who is receiving. Above all, there should be no word or gesture, no matter how well meaning or friendly, that would distract the person receiving from this holy act of faith.
At Sacred Heart the chalice is placed on a pedestal and the minister presents the cup to the communicant with a reverent gesture of the hand. The minister then invites the communicant to receive with the holy proclamation "The Blood of Christ".
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