Dear Colleen,

Receiving Holy Communion on the tongue is perfectly acceptable. It's governed by how you want to receive so I wouldn't worry too much about what the minister wants.

You said:

• When the distribution of Holy Communion is complete, when is it appropriate to stop kneeling and sit in the pew?

I generally wait until the consecrated Host is put back in the tabernacle but don't know if that is correct.

This depends on where you are. I recommend doing what everyone else does but, in general, what you are relating is what's most common.

Eric Ewanco

Hi Colleen,

We answered a similar question below:

Where can I find a document from the Vatican on how I should receive Holy Communion?

Note number 11 from the document I quoted: Inaestimabile Donum.

You said:

• Does the priest or Eucharistic Minister prefer the recipient receive
  Holy Communion in their hand or is the acceptable way still on the tongue?

Priests probably desire a common or similar practice be done by whole congregation.

Nevertheless the Church states, the faithful, not the priest, can choose how they are to receive the Eucharist.

• standing, receiving in the hand
• standing, receiving on the tongue
  this is my second favorite way: I like the idea of sticking your tongue out at a priest : )
• or kneeling to receive Our Lord on the tongue. My preference
  

Important note: No priest has any right to tell you that you can't receive the Eucharist in any one of these three ways, especially kneeling. Canon law and several documents from the Vatican back the lay Catholic on this issue. Any one of the three ways is permissible.

You said:

• When the distribution of Holy Communion is complete, when is it appropriate to stop kneeling and sit in the pew?

I agree with what my colleague Eric stated. Even if you stay after Mass to say a Rosary, as I do, you should always stand as the priest leaves or passes as a sign of respect. Ontologically, he is Jesus!

Hope this answers your question.

Mike