Return to Normative Eucharistic Practice

Dear Fathers. Liturgists, and Liturgical Ministers,

In consultation with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Bishop Patrick McGrath is happy to announce that we are able to remove the temporary adaptations begun last September during the concern with the H1N1 influenza virus, and we can now return to our normal liturgical practice at Mass. He asks that by the First Sunday of Lent or as soon as reasonably possible, you inform your community members and liturgical ministers so that we may again celebrate the Eucharist and other liturgies with full use of the signs, actions, and gestures that are part of the rites.

The importance of the Cup

Most especially, Bishop McGrath wants to emphasize the importance of offering the Communion Cup to the assembly at every Sunday and feast day Mass. The Church has taught that when the faithful drink the Precious Blood in addition to sharing the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, it is a clearer sign of the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist. Therefore, the Bishop established this in 2003 as one of the Communion norms for our diocese. Quickly returning to this normative practice is also very important for our catechumens, candidates, and children preparing to share in Communion for the first time this Easter season so that they may participate as fully as possible in the sacrificial feast of the Eucharist.

The importance of choice and responsibility

If we have learned anything from this long period of time away from the norms of the Eucharist, it is that personal choice and responsibility are essential human responses to God's initiative of chosing and gathering a people. No one can be forced to respond to God's initiative, and so the invitation and the means must always remain open to each individual's free will. Each of us shares the responsibility of responding to God's initiative in the fullest way possible according to our own situation.

Sunday obligation

Therefore, no one should be forced or taught to think that they must attend Sunday Mass even if they are sick. The Church shows special care for those who are ill by visiting them in their homes and bedsides and sharing the Word and Eucharist with them. Those who gather at Mass have the responsibility of praying for the sick and, when necessary, celebrating the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick with them.

Lord's Prayer and the Sign of Peace

As we return to the normative practice of sharing the Sign of Peace with the appropriate gestures of reverence and unity which the sign calls for, we remember that no one should be forced into sharing physical contact if they are uncomfortable or unable to do so for whatever reason. Therefore, please continue to advise your assemblies to practice common sense and compassion in sharing this sign with others and to respect the choice of those who prefer to limit their physical contact during the Sign of Peace or the Lord's Prayer.

Options for receiving the Blessed Sacrament

Recall, too, that communicants may choose whether to receive the Body of Christ in the hand or on the tongue. If on the tongue, care should be taken that ministers of Communion make no contact with the communicant's mouth. If intinction is used, only the minister of Communion may dip the host into the cup and place it on the communicant's tongue.

Option to share the Precious Blood

Finally, our Church had traditionally taught that Christ, whole and entire, "is received even under only one species, and consquently that as far as the effects are concerned, those who receive under only one species are not deprived of any of the grace that is necessary for salvation" (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 282). No one should be made to feel uncomfortable if they choose not to share in the Precious Blood. Nonetheless, we should continue to catechize and encourage the faithful to partake of this fuller sign of Christ's sacrifice by making the Precious Blood available to them.

Choice requires responsibility

These choices require personal responsibility exercised by all, beginning with the ordinary and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. No minister should serve if they are feeling ill themselves, and they should continue to practice good hygiene if they choose to assist in the distribution of Communion. Secondly, communicants should be reminded from time to time to refrain from sharing the Cup if they are feeling ill or are experiencing a weakened immune system. As many health professionals have cautioned, it is not so much the drinking of the wine but the physical touching of the chalice with one's hands that may transmit viruses. Therefore, washing one's hands and avoiding touching one's face are always advised.

Common sense practices

As we resume our normative Eucharistic practices during the Lord's Prayer, Sign of Peace, and distribution of Communion, please continue to evaluate your community's general procedures so that in and out of the flu season we may continue to safeguard the health of the faithful.

In particular, the Bishop asks that you continue encouraging your communities to practice the universal precautions as advised by our local health authorities, namely:

If persons exhibit a fever and a stuffy nose, sore throat, and/or coughing, they should stay home and limit contact with others, especially those who may be more likely to get very sick, such as infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women, or those with chronic diseases.
Wash your hands frequently, and cough or sneeze into your arm, not into your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until you can wash your hands.

When we attend carefully to our liturgical norms and each person practices good health habits at home and in public, we can celebrate the sacraments as they are intended to be--with full, conscious, and active participation of all the faithful.

Know that the Bishop is very grateful to you and to your community leaders and ministers for your attention and patience during this difficult time. I know many of you have been anxious to return to our normal practice, and I am happy that we can do so in time for Lent.

Please feel free to copy, reprint, and distribute this letter on your community Web sites and in your bulletins. In addition, the links found below might assist you in further catechesis for your ministers and assemblies.

May this holy and joyful season of Lent find us ready to participate fully in Christ's paschal sacrifice.

Diana Macalintal
Director of Worship
Diocese of San Jose

Posted in Eucharist on February 16, 2010 by macalintal