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October 17, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 18Oakland,
CA
Frequently asked questions about receiving Holy Communion
Are
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Community really necessary at Mass?
Bishops, priests and deacons are “ordinary” ministers of Holy
Communion. When present, they always assist in the distribution of Holy
Communion.
“Extraordinary” ministers help distribute Holy Communion “when
the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priests
or deacon requires it…. They should receive sufficient spiritual,
theological and practical preparation to fulfill their role with knowledge
and reverence.” (Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy
Communion under Both Kinds, #28).
The pastor of the parish oversees the formation of extraordinary ministers
of Holy Communion. The bishop then grants them the privilege of this special
ministry for a certain period of time.
How
does one receive the host and the Precious Blood?
The faithful come forward for Communion in the usual way. The communicant
stands in front of the communion minister. Showing the consecrated host,
the minister says, “The Body of Christ.”
The communicant bows the head, answers “Amen,” and receives
the host on the tongue or in the hand. If receiving in the hand, the communicant
places one hand, palm up, on the other. Ancient writers called this gesture
making a throne for Christ the King.
The host is placed on the top hand. The communicant takes the host with
the other hand, places it in his/her mouth and consumes the host. The
communicant then moves to the minister of the cup. The minister says,
“The Blood of Christ.” The communicant bows the head and answers,
“Amen,” and the minister holds out the chalice. The communicant
takes the chalice and drinks from it, returns it to the minister and returns
to his/her place.
The communion minister wipes the outside and inside of the chalice rim
with the purificator and moves the chalice a quarter turn to prepare for
the next communicant. This action is both a matter of courtesy and hygiene.
How
many communion ministers should be present for the distribution of Communion?
When Communion is to be given under both kinds, generally there should
be two ministers of the Precious Blood for each minister of the consecrated
bread. In this way, the Communion Rite will not be unduly prolonged.
May the ministers of the Precious Blood consume what is left at
the end of Communion?
After the distribution of the Eucharist is complete, the ministers of
the cup may consume what remains of the Precious Blood at the altar. The
Precious Blood is never left on a side table to be taken into the sacristy.
The remaining Precious Blood is never reserved in the tabernacle nor poured
into the sacrarium sink.
What
about germs and communicable diseases with reception of Communion from
the common cup?
The Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops, in consultation with the Center for Disease Control
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has reported that
to their knowledge there have never been any specific episodes or outbreaks
of any illness that have been associated with the use of a common communion
cup.
Is
it an acceptable practice to dip the host into the Precious Blood?
No. This is, in effect, giving communion to one’s self. Self-communication
is not permitted. This practice is different from intinction, a way of
distributing communion in which a single minister dips the host into the
cup and offers the host and the Precious Blood saying, “The Body
and Blood of Christ” and places them on the tongue of the communicant.
What
is the new “sign of reverence” for communion?
A 1967 Roman document permitted bishops of a country to determine practices
related to the Eucharist. The document states that it was appropriate
that a communicant, when receiving Communion standing, make a sign of
reverence, to be determined according to local culture.
The U.S. bishops have now stated that a “bow of the head”
is the normative sign of reverence both before receiving the consecrated
host and before drinking from the chalice.
What
is the posture for receiving Communion?
The norm for the reception for the reception of Holy Communion in the
dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be
denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should
be addressed pastorally by providing the faithful with the proper catechesis
on the reasons for this norm.
Should
people stand or kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer?
In the dioceses of the United States, they should kneel beginning after
the “Holy, Holy” until after the “Amen” of the
Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health,
lack of space, the large number of people present or some other good reason.
Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects
after the words of institution. Kneeling is a posture of reverence, openness
and humility. We kneel before Christ really and truly present in the Eucharist.
We do this in both awe and supplication.
It is for this reason that the bishops of the United States have chosen
the posture of kneeling for the entire Eucharistic Prayer during the celebration
of Mass.
(Adapted by the Diocese of Oakland and used with permission from the Office for Prayer and Worship, Archdiocese of Milwaukee.)
The Sign of Peace is exchanged with those standing
nearby. The priest remains in the sanctuary during this gesture.
GREG TARCZYSNKI PHOTO
