Question: Although I join in singing while in the Communion line, once I have received Jesus, I spend time in silent prayer, adoration and thanksgiving. Am I wrong?
— Barbara Allison, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Answer: This is acceptable. The exact posture of the faithful when they return to their pew is not stated in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Singing in procession is not required though it is encouraged, and this you do. The instruction reads as such:
“While the Priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion Chant is begun, its purpose being to express the spiritual union of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show gladness of heart, and to bring out more clearly the ‘communitarian’ character of the procession to receive the Eucharist. The singing is prolonged for as long as the Sacrament is being administered to the faithful. However, if there is to be a hymn after Communion, the Communion Chant should be ended in a timely manner. … When the distribution of Communion is over, if appropriate, the Priest and faithful pray quietly for some time. If desired, a Psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may also be sung by the whole congregation” (GIRM, Nos. 86, 88).
Hence, we see that upon returning to the pew, there is no direct instruction as to the posture of the faithful. They can kneel, sit or stand. As for singing, while it is encouraged for the reasons stated, it does not seem required. Indeed, many of the faithful take time here to pray quietly since the instruction in No. 88 is seldom followed in most parishes.
There was a trend some 10 years ago to ask all the faithful to remain standing in their pews until all had received holy Communion. But this was not in the instructions and amounted to difficulties, especially for the elderly who found this burdensome. It is sad that certain liturgists feel so free to impose their notions on the faithful. Even if such notions are well-intended, it is wrong to impose what is not required on the faithful. So, you are encouraged to sing the chant or hymn as you approach the Eucharist, if this is possible without a book. Communion hymns are best that have singable refrains to eliminate the need to carry hymnals. But upon returning to your pew, the GIRM is silent on posture and actions there. This silence suggests a liberty that you should enjoy at that moment.
