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Much confusion resulted from (and contributed to) last week's quick overview of a variety of Communion practices. Here's more information on Catholic and Orthodox traditions, as well as other reader feedback.

from The Documents of Vatican II (Walter M. Abbott, S.J., general editor)

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, II.55:

Hearty endorsement is given to that closer form of participation in the Mass whereby the faithful, after the priest's communion, receive the Lord's body under elements consecrated at that very sacrifice.

The dogmatic principles which were laid down by the Council of Trent remaining intact,* communion under both kinds may be granted when the bishops think fit, not only to clerics and religious, but also to the laity, in cases to be determined by the Apostolic See, as, for instance, to the newly ordained in the Mass of their sacred ordination, to the newly professed in the Mass of their religious profession, and to the newly baptized in a Mass following their baptism.**

* Council of Trent, Session 21, July 16, 1562, c.1-3

Doctrine on Communion under Both Species:

CANON I.—If any one saith, that, by the precept of God, or, by necessity of salvation, all and each of the faithful of Christ ought to receive both species of the most holy sacrament not consecrating; let him be anathema.

CANON 11.—If any one saith, that the holy Catholic Church was not induced, by just causes and reasons, to communicate, under the species of bread only, laymen, and also clerics when not consecrating; let him be be anathema.

CANON III.—If any one denieth, that Christ whole and entire—the fountain and author of all graces—is received under the one species of bread; because that—as some falsely assert—He is not received, according to the institution of Christ himself, under both species; let him be anathema.

** Communion "under both kinds" (or "under both species") is recognized. While the reason is not specified, it is plainly because Communion in this form is a fuller expression of the Eucharistic symbolism (Christ did order the apostles both to eat and drink). For reasons of convenience, however, this ancient practice is now permitted only during events of special solemnity. At all Masses, however, this is urged that the faithful receive a Host consecrated at that Mass. This had previously been urged in Mediator Dei and in the Liturgical Instruction of 1958, but was seldom put into practice.

After Vatican II, many Catholic churches began distributing both bread & wine. The wine is contained in communal chalices that the worshippers sip from. Still other Catholic churches "dunk" the host into the wine before giving it to the worshipper.
Louis Marchiony Jr.

In Latin rite churches … the bread species only is offered to the faithful in very large gatherings for the sake of expedience and to avoid the possibility of spilling the Precious Blood (species of wine). In my diocese, the Bishop encourages the administration of both species as often as possible and practical. In my experience, every parish I have ever visited or attended regularly offers both body and blood at every Sunday Mass. At daily (weekdays) Mass, about half of these parishes offer the bread species only. That practice is different in other countries, because the specifics are under the authority of the Ordinary (Bishop) of the diocese.
LByrd555, via e-mail

See also: http://www.catholic-pages.com/dir/eucharist.asp

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