Two questions about the Eucharist

[japhy]

First, what specifically is meant by no. 47 in the Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds: Children are encouraged to receive Communion under both kinds provided that they are proper instructed and that they are old enough to receive from the chalice. Are they talking about legal consumption of the Blood under the species of wine, or something else? What else would age have to do with it? If that is their intention, why not use plainer language?

Second, when did the pall stop being placed over the Chalice in the Liturgy of the Eucharist? I thought I remembered seeing this take place some 15 years ago when I was an Altar Boy, but I don’t see it happen anymore.

 

[puzzleannie]

if children are old enough in the Latin Rite (2nd-3rd gade) to receive first communion they are old enough to receive from the chalice, unless there is some physical reason they cannot handle the chalice. They must be properly instructed on how to do this. Children who received first communion at an early age in an Eastern Rite Church received in a different manner, usually the consecrated bread dipped in the precious blood and given with a spoon, either by the minister or by the parent. Such children even though able to receive communion at any Catholic Church, may not be physically able to handle the chalice.

Legal age for consuming alcohol is not an issue, as the law exempts wine used in religious services.

Please, parents and godparents, practice the kids at home with actual wine so they become familiar with the taste, and with a heavy chalice type vessel, so they get used to the weight.

 

[japhy]

Children who received first communion at an early age in an Eastern Rite Church received in a different manner, usually the consecrated bread dipped in the precious blood and given with a spoon, either by the minister or by the parent. Such children even though able to receive communion at any Catholic Church, may not be physically able to handle the chalice.

Ahh… I had not thought about that. Thank you for clearing that up for me.

 

[dylanschrader]

The pall is still used “if appropriate.”

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

1. The following are also to be prepared:

…]
c. On the credence table: the chalice, a corporal, a purificator, and, if appropriate, the pall; the paten and, if needed, ciboria; bread for the Communion of the priest who presides, the deacon, the ministers, and the people; cruets containing the wine and the water, unless all of these are presented by the faithful in procession at the Offertory; the vessel of water to be blessed, if the asperges occurs; the Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful; and whatever is needed for the washing of hands.

…]

1. When the Prayer of the Faithful is completed, all sit, and the Offertory chant begins (cf. above, no. 74).

An acolyte or other lay minister arranges the corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall, and the Missal upon the altar.