Holy Communion: new procedures
In 2003 Pope John Paul published a document
Redemptionis Sacramentum whose purpose was to strengthen
the unity
of the Church by reiterating the proper norms for the
celebration of the Holy Eucharist. This is vitally
important because of the absolutely central role that
the Eucharist plays in our lives.
Priests who faithfully celebrate Mass according to
the liturgical norms, and communities which conform
to these norms, quietly but eloquently demonstrate
their love for the Church” (John Paul 2, Ecclesia
de Eucharistia, 52).
What does this mean for St. John the Apostle?
The most noticeable aspect this week is the return
to the use of the Communion paten at each communion
station. Redemptionis Sacramentum
(93) instructs
us that: “The Communion-plate for the Communion
of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid
the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of
it falling.” We will follow this instruction
by having an altar server at each communion station
with a ‘paten,’ holding it in such a
manner as to catch any host (or fragment thereof)
which might otherwise fall to the ground during the
distribution of communion.
What if someone is confused?
Once this becomes a habit, we should adapt quickly.
I am concerned for children who have never seen this.
Please assist by instructing children (and adults)
to hold their hands up high enough that the server
can place the paten under their hands, and the minister
can reach them with the Sacred Host.
Why is this important?
The quote tells us succinctly why we are to do this. It is in order that we
might avoid the profanation of any fragment of a sacred host falling to the
ground. By the power of this sacrament, bread and wine are transubstantiated
into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Each and every piece
of Holy Communion, no matter how big or how small, is Jesus Christ, the living
Son of God. How we pray deeply shapes what we believe. Because this is Jesus,
we need to do everything possible to attend to the sanctity of the Eucharist.
Why does it matter if we drop a Sacred Host?
I have really been asked this.… Hmmm…. Let’s go to analogy.
Imagine that I am holding your most cherished possession. If I were holding
this with one hand, waving it about like a baton, how quickly would you grab
it out of my hands? Immediately!
When you hold the Sacred host, you must show no less reverence. Proper handling
of the host reminds us of what we are doing. Your attention and reverence must
be focused on Jesus at that moment.
How can I receive communion reverently?
On the tongue (by opening your mouth and slightly extending your tongue), or
in the hand (one hand placed under the other forming a throne for Jesus).
Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion
on the tongue, at his choice, if any communicant should wish to receive the
Sacrament in the hand …. the sacred host is to be administered to him
or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed
by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away
carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation,
then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful. (Redemptionis
Sacramentum 92).
Communion in the hand requires that both hands be free. It is unbecoming to
receive the Sacred Host in one hand and, and pop it into the mouth with the
same hand.
Communion must be consumed in the presence of the
minister?
Yes. It is not permissible to take the sacred host back to your seat. Again
this flows from our paying full and immediate attention to receiving our Lord.
Many people take one step to the side and then consume the host while the person
behind them approaches the minister. This is ok, because it gives immediate
attention to the communion, and allows the minister to be sure that the host
is consumed.
Can I dip my Host in the Chalice?
No communicant may dip his or her own host into the chalice. This is called ‘intinction.’.
The only way to receive communion by intinction is when the priest dips the
host in the chalice and places it directly on the tongue. “The communicant
must not be permitted to intinct the host himself in the chalice, nor to receive
the intincted host in the hand.” (Redemptionis
Sacramentum 104).
Because there is not a great demand for this, this is reserved for special
occasions.
Why isn’t everyone doing this?
Why doesn’t everyone do the many things we are
supposed to do? If you can answer that, then let me
know and I’ll tell the Pope you have solved this
problem.
Click here for more Excerpts
from the Redemptionis Sacramentum on our web site. For more information, go to:
www.ewtn.com/library/curia/cdwrdsac.htm .
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