Q. 1. What is the order for the reception of Holy Communion during Holy Mass? Should the priest be the first to receive Holy Communion? Or should the priest receive Holy Communion at the same time as the Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers and the Altar Servers? Or should the priest give Holy Communion first to the Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers and the Altar Servers, he being the last to receive? Different Parishes appear to have different practices.

A. 1. Without exception, the priest must always receive Holy Communion prior to those assisting at the Altar. This liturgical practice is universal. Catholics should be able to go to any Church in any country around the world and find an identical Liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. No one, not even a priest or bishop, has the right to change the Liturgy of the Holy Mass.