J
japhy
Guest
There have been a lot of threads recently about receiving Communion under both kinds (that is, receiving the Host and from the Chalice) versus receiving Communion under only one kind (usually receiving just the Host). I’ve noted at least three in the past few days, but certainly more than that in the past few weeks. People are afraid that they’re not receiving “all” of Christ, or a “complete” Communion. They think they’re “missing” something.
Beloved, this is why the Church made it clear at Vatican II – and has continued to make it clear since then – what the doctrine concerning Holy Communion is, when it comes to receiving under one or both kinds.
Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium 55: “The dogmatic principles which were laid down by the Council of Trent remaining intact, communion under both kinds may be granted when the bishops think fit…”
Eucharisticum Mysterium 32: “**nder each element Christ whole and entire and the true sacrament are received … [A]t the discretion of the bishops and preceded by the required catechesis, communion from the chalice is permitted in the following cases…”
Liturgicae Instaurationes 6: “A thorough catechesis is to precede admittance to communion under both kinds so that the people will fully perceive its significance.”
GIRM 14: “ince no one today calls into doubt in any way the doctrinal principles on the complete efficacy of eucharistic Communion under the species of bread alone…”
GIRM 283: “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…”
Redemptionis Sacramentum 100: “[L]ay members of Christ’s faithful, too, are admitted to Communion under both kinds, in the cases set forth in the liturgical books, preceded and continually accompanied by proper catechesis regarding the dogmatic principles on this matter laid down by the Ecumenical Council of Trent.”
Receiving under the form of bread alone, or under the form of wine alone, is a complete, whole, and efficacious Communion. Christ is present, whole and entire, under each species and every recognizable fragment or portion thereof.**
Beloved, this is why the Church made it clear at Vatican II – and has continued to make it clear since then – what the doctrine concerning Holy Communion is, when it comes to receiving under one or both kinds.
Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium 55: “The dogmatic principles which were laid down by the Council of Trent remaining intact, communion under both kinds may be granted when the bishops think fit…”
Eucharisticum Mysterium 32: “**nder each element Christ whole and entire and the true sacrament are received … [A]t the discretion of the bishops and preceded by the required catechesis, communion from the chalice is permitted in the following cases…”
Liturgicae Instaurationes 6: “A thorough catechesis is to precede admittance to communion under both kinds so that the people will fully perceive its significance.”
GIRM 14: “
GIRM 283: “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…”
Redemptionis Sacramentum 100: “[L]ay members of Christ’s faithful, too, are admitted to Communion under both kinds, in the cases set forth in the liturgical books, preceded and continually accompanied by proper catechesis regarding the dogmatic principles on this matter laid down by the Ecumenical Council of Trent.”
Receiving under the form of bread alone, or under the form of wine alone, is a complete, whole, and efficacious Communion. Christ is present, whole and entire, under each species and every recognizable fragment or portion thereof.**