A Few Questions About Mass

[CATHOLIC_BIKER]

I have a few questions about Mass if someone could help me out. First, when will we be able to drink the Blood of Christ? Is this a flu season kind of thing? Also related to this when will folks start shaking hands again when we give the sign of peace? You can tell in my Church people want to start doing that again but it’s always an uneasy moment when some folks extend thier hand and others don’t. On the subject of kneeling, during the Eucharistic Prayer, most people stand but I have started to kneel along with a few others…is this ok? I feel this is the right thing to do. Last but not least, after receiving communion, some people kneel and some others remain standing until everyone has received communion. Which are we really supposed to do?
Thanks for your help!

 

[CDNowak]

I have a few questions about Mass if someone could help me out. First, when will we be able to drink the Blood of Christ? Is this a flu season kind of thing? Also related to this when will folks start shaking hands again when we give the sign of peace? You can tell in my Church people want to start doing that again but it’s always an uneasy moment when some folks extend thier hand and others don’t. On the subject of kneeling, during the Eucharistic Prayer, most people stand but I have started to kneel along with a few others…is this ok? I feel this is the right thing to do. Last but not least, after receiving communion, some people kneel and some others remain standing until everyone has received communion. Which are we really supposed to do?
Thanks for your help!

It would really help to know where (as in which diocese) you are to be able to answer your questions.

1. If you are receiving the Eucharist under either form or both forms, remember you are receiving the whole Christ. That being said, probably still a flu concern, just have patience.
2. Not everyone shakes hands at the sign of peace anyway (I don’t, I find it very distracting to the Mass, particularly situated between the Consecration and Communion). That said, probably a flu thing.
3. Really depends where you are. If you are in the US, then you should be kneeling for the entire Eucharistic prayer, If elsewhere you should be kneeling for the Consecration.
4. Posture after communion is not strictly regulated. It is permissible to kneel stand, or even sit (although custom generally is to kneel).

 

[canne]

I have a few questions about Mass if someone could help me out. First, when will we be able to drink the Blood of Christ? Is this a flu season kind of thing? Also related to this when will folks start shaking hands again when we give the sign of peace? You can tell in my Church people want to start doing that again but it’s always an uneasy moment when some folks extend thier hand and others don’t. On the subject of kneeling, during the Eucharistic Prayer, most people stand but I have started to kneel along with a few others…is this ok? I feel this is the right thing to do. Last but not least, after receiving communion, some people kneel and some others remain standing until everyone has received communion. Which are we really supposed to do?
Thanks for your help!

Hmmm…at our Church the only changed we have had because of flu concerns is that we are no longer receiving directly on the tongue ( most of our parish recieves in the hand anyhow). Both forms have continued to be present. Also the sign of peace has not changed at all with the majority of people shaking hands.

After communion at our Church most stand, some kneel then stand.

 

[benedictgal]

Hmmm…at our Church the only changed we have had because of flu concerns is that we are no longer receiving directly on the tongue ( most of our parish recieves in the hand anyhow). Both forms have continued to be present. Also the sign of peace has not changed at all with the majority of people shaking hands.

After communion at our Church most stand, some kneel then stand.

COTT cannot be denied to anyone. In fact, the CDWDS issued various statement, the latest one being in 2009, that this could not be done. Many folks had complained to the CDWDS that they were denied their right to receive COTT due to the swine flu concerns; however, the CDWDS unequivocally stated that this should not be done and told the faithful that they would be in contact with those particular dioceses where that was the practice.

 

[CATHOLIC_BIKER]

It would really help to know where (as in which diocese) you are to be able to answer your questions.

1. If you are receiving the Eucharist under either form or both forms, remember you are receiving the whole Christ. That being said, probably still a flu concern, just have patience.
2. Not everyone shakes hands at the sign of peace anyway (I don’t, I find it very distracting to the Mass, particularly situated between the Consecration and Communion). That said, probably a flu thing.
3. Really depends where you are. If you are in the US, then you should be kneeling for the entire Eucharistic prayer, If elsewhere you should be kneeling for the Consecration.
4. Posture after communion is not strictly regulated. It is permissible to kneel stand, or even sit (although custom generally is to kneel).

thanks for your replys. I’m in the San Jose CA. diocese.

 

[CDNowak]

Watch here: Diocese site for when the restrictions will be lifted on the Chalice and Sign of Peace. (My guess is to expect them to hold at least through March).

Despite what is on the dsj website, though, refer to the GIRM for the proper posture during the Mass.

 

[benedictgal]

Watch here: Diocese site for when the restrictions will be lifted on the Chalice and Sign of Peace. (My guess is to expect them to hold at least through March).

Despite what is on the dsj website, though, refer to the GIRM for the proper posture during the Mass.

Even at that point, according to the 2009 interpretation of the CDWDS when the issue of the flu was brought up, there is a violation of Redemptionis Sacramentum, which clearly states that:

[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice,178 if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to thefaithful.179

This was the citation given by the CDWDS when it addressed the concerns of the various laity regarding the denial of COTT due to the H1N1 scare. In fact, the CDWDS stated that it would be contacting those dioceses where this practice was being employed.

 

[CDNowak]

Even at that point, according to the 2009 interpretation of the CDWDS when the issue of the flu was brought up, there is a violation of Redemptionis Sacramentum, which clearly states that:

This was the citation given by the CDWDS when it addressed the concerns of the various laity regarding the denial of COTT due to the H1N1 scare. In fact, the CDWDS stated that it would be contacting those dioceses where this practice was being employed.

Yes, of course, although that was not the OP’s concern.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

2009 H1N1 Flu: Situation Update February 12, 2010, 12:00 PM indicates that the flu threathas been below pandemic level for several weeks now. [Sorry for the bold, but I can’t get it to turn off.]**
**

 

[Elizium23]

Regarding Holy Communion under both species, it has already been mentioned that each form contains the fullness of Christ’s Body and Blood:

Sacred pastors should take care to ensure that the faithful who participate in the rite or are present at it are as fully aware as possible of the Catholic teaching on the form of Holy Communion as set forth by the Ecumenical Council of Trent. Above all, they should instruct the Christian faithful that the Catholic faith teaches that Christ, whole and entire, and the true Sacrament, is received even under only one species, and consequently 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. (GIRM §282)

The decision to allow Communion in both kinds is normally left to the diocesan bishop. He may in turn make it an option for each parish’s pastor.

The Diocesan Bishop may establish norms for Communion under both kinds for his own diocese, which are also to be observed in churches of religious and at celebrations with small groups. The Diocesan Bishop is also given the faculty to permit Communion under both kinds whenever it may seem appropriate to the priest to whom, as its own shepherd, a community has been entrusted, provided that the faithful have been well instructed and there is no danger of profanation of the Sacrament or of the rite’s becoming difficult because of the large number of participants or some other reason. (GIRM §283)

For instance in our diocese of Phoenix, Communion under both kinds is permitted, but our pastor decided not to continue the practice except on special occasions.

 

[japhy]

First, when will we be able to drink the Blood of Christ? Is this a flu season kind of thing?

Many dioceses and parishes have restricted the Chalice from the congregation because the swine flu scare. It is up to them if and when the Chalice will be conceded to the congregation again. It is not a requirement to receive from the Chalice at Mass: receiving Holy Communion under the form of bread alone (i.e. the Host) is a complete Communion. It is also not a requirement that the Chalice be offered to the congregation at Mass.

Also related to this when will folks start shaking hands again when we give the sign of peace?

Probably also related to the swine flu matter. Also, the Sign of Peace part of Mass is actually completely optional, at the priest’s discretion.

On the subject of kneeling, during the Eucharistic Prayer, most people stand but I have started to kneel along with a few others

In the United States, the proper posture during the Eucharistic Prayer is to kneel from the end of the Sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy”), until after the Amen after the concluding doxology (“Through him, with him, in him…”).

Some people don’t kneel because they can’t, others don’t kneel because they don’t know they’re supposed, others don’t kneel because they’ve been told (wrongly) not to kneel, and others don’t kneel because they genuinely don’t want to. You are doing the right thing by kneeling.

after receiving communion, some people kneel and some others remain standing until everyone has received communion.

Your posture after receiving Holy Communion is up to you. The US Bishops asked the Vatican about this several years ago, and the answer came back that the Church does not wish to rigorously determine the posture of the faithful after they have received Communion.