|
Dear Parishioners,
At the Eucharist, we remind ourselves of the following:
- the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's sacrifice, His death and resurrection, and as the sacred banquet;
- the real presence of Christ in the Eucharistic elements, whole and entire—in each element of consecrated bread and wine (the doctrine of concomitance);
- the kinds of reverence due at all times to the sacrament, whether within the Eucharistic Liturgy or outside the celebration; and
- the role that ordinary and, if necessary, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are assigned in the Eucharistic assembly.
HOLY COMMUNION UNDER BOTH KINDS - United Sates Conference of Catholic Bishops — From the first days of the Church's celebration of the Eucharist, Holy Communion consisted of the reception of both species in fulfillment of the Lord's command to "take and eat . . . take and drink." The distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful under both kinds was thus the norm for more than a millennium of Catholic liturgical practice.
The practice of Holy Communion under both kinds at Mass continued until the late eleventh century, when the custom of distributing the Eucharist to the faithful under the form of bread alone began to grow. By the twelfth century, theologians such as Peter Cantor speak of Communion under one kind as a "custom" of the Church. This practice spread until the Council of Constance in 1415 decreed that Holy Communion under the form of bread alone would be distributed to the faithful.
In 1963, the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council authorized the extension of the faculty for Holy Communion under both kinds in Sacrosanctum Concilium:
“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. . . .”
The Council's decision to restore Holy Communion under both kinds at the bishop's discretion took expression in the first edition of the Missale Romanum and enjoys an even more generous application in the third typical edition of the Missale Romanum:
Holy Communion has a fuller form when it takes place under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clearer expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the connection between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Kingdom of the Father.
The General Instruction further states that "at the same time the faithful should be instructed to participate more readily in this sacred rite, by which the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is made more fully evident."
The extension of the faculty for the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds does not represent a change in the Church's immemorial beliefs concerning the Holy Eucharist. Rather, today the Church finds it salutary to restore a practice, when appropriate, that for various reasons was not opportune when the Council of Trent was convened in 1545. But with the passing of time, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the reform of the Second Vatican Council has resulted in the restoration of a practice by which the faithful are again able to experience "a fuller sign of the Eucharistic banquet.”
THE RECEPTION OF THE EUCHARIST — By virtue of his sacred ordination, the Bishop or Priest offers the sacrifice in the person of Christ, the Head of the Church. He receives gifts of bread and wine from the faithful, offers the sacrifice to God, and returns to them the very Body and Blood of Christ, as from the hands of Christ himself. Thus, Bishops and Priests are considered the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion. In addition, the Deacon assists the Bishop or Priest in distributing Holy Communion.
When the size of the congregation is large, "the Priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, that is, duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been duly deputed for this purpose.” All ministers of Holy Communion should show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated bread or wine.
The communicant, including the extraordinary minister, is never allowed to self-communicate, even by means of intinction. Communion under either form, bread or wine, must always be given by an ordinary or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
Reception in the hand is the ordinary and preferred manner of Holy Communion because this reflects our desire to receive the Lord, this Food from Heaven and is what Jesus did at the Last Supper. We lovingly receive the Lord’s Body and Blood that is present in the Eucharist rather than being a passive person. In all relationships, we lovingly reach out to the other who extends their love to us; likewise, this is why reception in the hand better reflects this holy giving and receiving of gifts that the sacred meal provides.
Our theology always needs to be reflected on and be based not on local custom or culture. Furthermore, as in all aspects of our life, just because something was done in the past, does not mean it should be done in the future. And yes, that applies to the church. It, too, continues to grow and develop.
INTINCTION: The form of distributing under both kinds in which a minister dips a particle of consecrated bread into a chalice containing the consecrated wine. The particle is placed directly in the communicant’s mouth: reception of Holy Communion in the hand is not possible when intinction is used. Although allowed by law, it is not permitted here at St. Patricia due to the possibility of dropping; and, furthermore, it is a less preferred manner for distributing Holy Communion since the sign of the value of drinking from the chalice in obedience to the Lord’s command has been eliminated.
You feel unable or unworthy to receive Holy Communion? The church encourages frequent reception of Holy Communion. Jesus came to heal, forgive and make us whole. At each mass, we celebrate that gift of healing and hope, the new life that comes from Christ. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is encouraged at least once a year and a couple of times is always a good idea but is not needed in order to receive each Sunday.
However, if one feels unworthy of receiving Holy Communion for whatever reason, please feel free to come up for a blessing. Indicate the need for a blessing by folding your arms. It is never appropriate to receive the Eucharist and then put the Communion host in the pew/or hymnal.
Thank you for your prayerful reflection on the Eucharist.
Sincerely, Fr. Mike Meany
| 
