Purification of Sacred Vessels after Holy Communion

 

* Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under both Species

- Both the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, and the United States document, Norms or the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses of the

United States, uphold the principle that "Holy Communion has a more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds. For in this manner of reception a fuller sign of the Eucharistic banquet shines forth." (GIRM, #281, Norms, #20)

- Distribution and reception of Holy Communion under both species has been the practice in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Chicago for the last 20+ years, to the benefit of the faithful. - There should be no change to this laudable practice and Communion from the Chalice should continue and be encouraged for all the faithful.

 

* Purification of vessels after Holy Communion

- In March of 2002 the bishops of the United States received an indult from the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to allow extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to purify vessels after the distribution of Holy Communion at the discretion of the local bishop.

- In Advent of 2002 the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., gave this permission to the parishes and institutions of the Archdiocese. - In 2006 the United States bishops sought an extension of that indult and it was denied.

- Thus, purification of the vessels after Holy Communion is to be carried out by the priest or deacon, or in the absence of a deacon, by an instituted acolyte (GIRM, #182, 192).

 

* Options to consider in the purification of vessels after Holy Communion In General

- Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are to consume what remains of the Precious Blood from their chalice of distribution.

- For a large number of Communion vessels, it is permissible to wait until after Mass has ended, rather than to purify them at the altar or the credence table during Mass (cf. GIRM, #183). - In this case, the vessels are set on the credence table, suitably covered with an appropriately clean cloth. After Mass, they may be taken to the sacristy where they are purified by either the deacon or the priest after he has greeted the people. After they have been purified they can be washed by the sacristan or other minister as usual.

- As part of the ongoing formation of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and sacristans, these directives should be made known and explained to them at an opportune time prior to December 3.

 

In Parishes and Institutions where there is a deacon(s) assigned

- At Masses where a deacon is scheduled, it is most appropriate that, after Mass, he should purify the vessels before they are washed as usual.

 

In Parishes and Institutions where there is no deacon assigned

- The chalices and other Communion vessels may be taken to the sacristy after the completion of the celebration of Mass.

- If there is a large number of chalices to be purified, or if time constraints warrant it, the priest may purify by pouring water into the first chalice, swirling the water around in the customary manner, and then pouring it into the next chalice, and then into the next, etc. After he has done so with the last chalice to be purified, he consumes the ablution. The vessels may then be washed by the sacristan or other minister as usual.

- The priest celebrant may be assisted by other priests of the parish in the purification of the sacred vessels after Mass.

Seven Questions on the Distribution of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds
USCCB Committee on the Liturgy
October, 2006

1. Why did the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council recommend the distribution of Holy Communion under Both Kinds?

"The Council's decision [in 1963] 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 more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds. For in this manner of reception a fuller sign of the Eucharistic banquet shines forth. Moreover there is a clearer expression of that will by which the new and everlasting covenant is ratified in the blood of the Lord and of the relationship of the Eucharistic banquet to the eschatological banquet in the Father's kingdom."

 

" 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."^{, 2} "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."'

 

2. What preparation of the faithful is required before the distribution of Hole Communion under both kinds?

"For the faithful who take part in the rite or are present at it, pastors should take care to call to mind as appropriately as possible Catholic teaching according to the Council of Trent on the manner of Communion. Above all they should instruct the Christian faithful that, according to Catholic faith, Christ, whole and entire, as well as the true Sacrament are received under one kind only: that, therefore, as far as the effects are concerned, those who receive in this manner are not deprived of any grace necessary for salvation .,,4

3. What resources can assist in this preparation?

Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America^s were approved by the Bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and confirmed by the Holy See in 2002. Part I of these Norms (Holy Communion: The Boc v and Blood of the Lord Jesus) provides a summary of the Church's teaching on Holy Communion which can aid in the

¹

'Norms_.fbr the Distribution and Reception ofHoly Communion Under Both Kinds for the Dioceses o the
United States of America (Norms), no. 20, citing general Instruction of the Roman Missal (GI RM), no.281.
  ² Sacrosanctunn Concilium (SC), no. 55,
 ³ Cf. Norms, no. 17. ' Norms, no. 18.
 ⁴ General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 281, cf. Redemptionis Sacramentumn (RS), no.100.
 ^s http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/norms.shtml#N_30

preparation of ministers and faithful in preparing to receive Holy Communion under Both Kinds. Likewise, the USCCB pamphlet "Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist"⁶ may be helpful in such formation. Both texts are available online in English and Spanish or from USCCB Publications.'

 

4. When Holy Communion is distributed under both kinds, what happens to what remains of the Precious Blood?

"When more of the Precious Blood remains than was necessary for Communion, and if not consumed by the bishop or priest celebrant, the deacon immediately and reverently consumes at the altar all of the Blood of Christ which remains; he may be assisted, if needs dictate, by other deacons and priests. When there are extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, they may consume what remains of the Precious Blood from their chalice of distribution with permission of the diocesan bishop."'

 

5. Who then purifies the sacred vessels?

As ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the Priest and the Deacon purify the sacred vessels. The instituted acolyte, by reason of his office, "helps the priest or deacon to purify and arrange the sacred vessels."⁹ In the Dioceses of the United States of America, the ministry of instituted acolyte,

which is open only to men, is primarily made up of those preparing to receive Holy Orders.¹⁰

6. May an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assist in the purification of sacred vessels? In accord with the Holy Father's recent decision, as reported in Cardinal Arinze's letter of October 12, 2006 (Prot. no. 468/05/L), an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion may not assist in the purification of sacred vessels. This extraordinary ministry was created exclusively for those instances where there are not enough ordinary ministers to distribute Holy Communion, due to the consummate importance of assuring that the faithful have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion at Mass, even when it is distributed under both species. (cf. RS, no. 102)

 

7. What about those instances where there are many chalices and only one Priest to purify them? When there are insufficient Priests, Deacons, or instituted acolytes to purify the additional chalices during Mass, the purification may take place immediately after the Mass has concluded. If such purification by ordinary ministers proves pastorally problematic, consideration should be given to distribution of Holy Communion by intinction or to the distribution of Holy Communion under the form of consecrated bread alone." Priests should also keep in mind potential health risks associated with intinction, especially in the coming flu season.

 ⁶ http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=596 
 ⁷ wwwusccbpublishing.com
 ⁸ Norms, no. 52.
 ⁹ GIRM, no. 192.
¹⁰ Cf. GIRM, nos. 98, and 187-193.
¹¹ cf. RS, no. 102.