Washington:  A new study has found that traditional Catholic liturgical practices, such as receiving the Eucharist on the tongue, attending parishes that ring consecration bells, and participating in the Traditional Latin Mass, are associated with a stronger belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

The research, conducted by Dr. Natalie A. Lindemann, a psychology professor at William Paterson University, surveyed 860 Catholic adults across the United States. The findings were published in the Catholic Social Science Review and indicate that certain traditional practices may reinforce faith in the Eucharist.

According to the study, participants who received the Eucharist on the tongue reported a higher belief in the Real Presence, with an average score of 3.27, compared to 2.79 for those who received Communion in the hand. Participants who always received the Eucharist on the tongue scored even higher, with an average of 3.69.

Attendance at parishes that ring consecration bells and offer the Traditional Latin Mass also showed a correlation with stronger belief. Those attending parishes offering the Latin Mass had an average belief score of 3.63, while participants from parishes that did not offer the Latin Mass scored 3.04.

The study revealed that approximately 31 percent of respondents were certain of the Real Presence, while 23.6 percent considered the Eucharist to be symbolic. The remaining participants expressed varying degrees of uncertainty.

Dr. Lindemann suggested that engagement with traditional liturgical experiences may help deepen Catholics’ understanding and devotion to the Eucharist, highlighting the potential role of ritual and sensory experience in shaping religious belief.

This research adds to ongoing discussions within the Church about the impact of liturgical forms on faith formation and participation in the sacraments.