Instruction on "sacramental communion"

Title

Language

English

Source

Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas Volume XLIV (No.498) November, 1970

Subject

Catholic Church--Philippines

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

INSTRUCTION ON “SACRAMENTAL COMMUNION” by the SACRED CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP Through sacramental communion the faithful take part more per fectly in the eucharistic celebration. This is the teaching of the entire tradition of the Church. By communion in fact, the faithful share fully in the eucharistic sacrifice. In this way they are not limited to sharing in the sacrifice by faith and prayer, nor merely to spiritual communion with Christ offered on the altar, but they receive Christ himself sacra mentally so as to receive more fully the fruits of this most holy sacrifice. In order that the fullness of sign in the eucharistic banquet may be seen more clearly by the faithful1, the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council laid down that in certain cases — to be decided by the Holy See — the faithful should be able to receive holy communion under both kinds. This leaves intact the dogmatic principles recognized in the Council of Trent, by which it is taught that Christ whole and en tire and the true sacrament2 are also received under one species alone3. 1 Cf. Institutio generalis Missalis romani, n. 240. 2 Cf. Cone. Trid., Sess. XXI, Deer, de Communio.ne eucharistica, c. 1-3; Denz. 929-932 e (1725-1729). 3 Cf. Const, de sacra Lituria, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 55. '* S. Congr. Rituum, Decretum Generale quo ritus concelebrationis et Communionis sub utraque specie promulgatur, Ecclejiae temper, 7 martii 1965: A.A.S. 57 (1965), pp. 411-412; Instructio de cultu Mysterii eucharistici, Eucharitlicum Mytterium, 25 maii 1967, n. 32: A.A.S. (59) (1967) n. 32: A.A.S. 59 (1967), pp. 558-559; Institutio generalis Missalis romani, nn. 76, 242. This desire of the Council has gradually been put into effect4. The preparation of the faithful has accompanied this gradual develop “SACRAMENTAL COMMUNION” 777 ment, so that from this change in ecclesiastical discipline there should come ever more abundant fruits of devotion and spiritual growth. As time has gone on it has been possible to witness an ever in creasing desire that the number of cases, in which it is possible to administer communion under both kinds, should be further extended according to the needs of different regions and people. Requests Heeded Therefore this Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, taking into account the requests of numerous Bishops, and indeed of Episcopal Conferences, and the requests of the Superiors cf Religious families, lays down, by mandate of his Holiness the Pepe, all that follows re garding the faculty of distributing holy communion under both kinds: 1. Communion under both kinds may be distributed, in accordance with the judgment of the Ordinary, in the cases determined by the Holy See — as given in the list adjoining this instruction. 2. Moreover, the Episcopal Conferences may decide to what extent, for what motives and in what conditions, Ordinaries may concede com munion under both kinds in other cases which have great importance for the spiritual life of a particular community or group of the faithful. 3. Within the limits, the Ordinaries may indicate particular cases. This is on the condition however that the faculty should not be con ceded indiscriminately, and that the celebration should be clearly indi cated, together with those points to which particular attention must be paid. This faculty should not be granted on occasions where there ar’ large numbers of communicants. The groups to whom the faculty is conceded should be adequately instructed on the significance of the rite. 4. The Ordinary of the place may grant these faculties for all the churches and oratories in his territory; the Religious Ordinary for those houses dependent on him. It is for these to ensure that the norms given by the Holy See or by the Episcopal Conferences should be observed. Before they grant the faculty, they should be sure that everything will be carried out in a way befitting the holiness of this sacrament. 778 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS 5. Before the faithful are to receive communion under both kinds, they should be adequately instructed on the significance of the rite. 6. In order that communion under both kinds may be properly administered, care should be taken to maintain due reverence and to carry out the rite in the way described in nos. 244-251 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. That method of distribution should be chosen which best ensures that communion is received with devotion and dignity, and also avoids the dangers of irreverence. The nature of each liturgical group, and the age, conditions, and preparation of those wishing to receive com munion must also be taken into account. Drinking From the Chalice Among the ways of distribution given by the Instruction of the Roman Missal, the reception of communion by drinking from the chalice itself certainly has pre-eminence. However this method should only be chosen when everything can be carried out in an orderly fashion and without any danger of irreverence towards the Blood of the Lord. If there are other priests present, or deacons or acolytes, they should there fore be asked to help by presenting the chalice. On the other hand, it does not seem that manner of distribution should be approved in which the chalice is passed from one to another, or in which the com municants come up directly to take the chalice themselves and receive the Blood of the Lord. When the ministers mentioned above arc not available; then if the communicants are few in number and communion is taken directly from the chalice, the same priest should distribute communion first under the species of bread and afterwards under the species of wine. , . r , Otherwise the rite of communion under both kinds by diGtinetton is to be preferred in order that practical difficulties may be avoided and that due reverence might the more aptly be given to the sacrament. In this way, access to communion under both kinds is offered more easily and more safely to the faithful, whatever their age or condition, and at the same time the fullness of sign is preserved. “SACRAMENTAL COMMUNION” 779 On 26 June 1970 His Holiness Pope Paul VI confirmed and ratified the present Instruction, and ordered that it be promulgated. From the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 29 June 1970. BENNO Card. GUT Prefect. A. BUGNINI Secretary APPENDIX Occasions on which, as laid down by the General Instructions (Institutio Generali) of the Roman Missal (n. 242) , Communion may be administered under both kinds. Communion under both kinds is permitted in the following cases, in ac cordance with the Ordinary’s judgment and when preceded by due catechesis. 1. To neophytes during the Mass following their Baptism; to newly confirmed adults, in the Mass following their Confirmation; to baptized per sons who have been received into the Church’s communion; 2. To spouses, during their wedding Mass; 3. To newly ordained, during their ordination Mass; 4. To abbesses during their blessing Mass; to virgins during their con secration Mass; to profess and their parents, family and fellow religious during the Mass of their first religious profession, renewal of vows or perpetual religious profession, on condition that the vows be taken or renewed during the Mass; 5. To lay missionary auxiliaries, during the Mass at which they are offic ally sent on the mission, and to others who receive an ecclesiastical mis sion during a Mass; 6. To the sick person and all others present at administration of Viati cum, when the Mass is celebrated according to the norms laid down by law in the patient’s house; 7. To the deacon, subdeacon and ministers who serve at a sung Mass; 8. When there is concelebration: 780 BOLETIN ECLESIASTICO DE FILIPINAS a) To all those, including laity, who perform a true liturgical ministry in the concelebration, and to all seminarians taking part; b) In their churches or oratories, to all members of Institutes who pro fess the evangelical counsels and members of other Societies which conse crate themselves with religious vows or an oblation or promise to God; further, to all those who live day and night in the houses of members of those Institutes or Societies; 9. To priests present at great celebrations of Mass, when they are unable to celebrate or concelebrate; 10. To all taking part in spiritual exercises, at the Mass which is cele brated specially for the group during the course and in which the group actively participates; to all those who take part in meetings of some pastoral group, during a Mass which they celebrate in common; 11. To those indicated in Nos. 2 and 4, during their jubilee Mass; 12. To the godfather, the godmother, the parents, the spouse and the lay catechists of a newly baptized adult, during the Mass of his initiation; 13. To the parents, the family and outstanding benefactors partic'pating in the Mass of a newly ordained priest; 14. To members of the Community, at the conventual or community Mass, in accordance with norm no. 71 of the General Instructions of the Roman Missal.

pages

776-780

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