New rules for taking communion issued

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | July 17, 2003 | CATHLEEN FALSANI

[tridentine]

While the changes might seem minor, the first revisions the Vatican has made to the mass since 1975 will affect every Roman Catholic who walks forward for communion.

Before they take the bread and wine, they'll have to bow, as a sign of reverence for the Eucharist, the bread and wine Roman Catholics believe becomes the actual body and blood of Christ during the mass.

Catholics also must be quieter during the mass, sitting meditatively in silence before it begins, after the homily, and after they receive communion instead of chatting with neighbors, or whispering to the kids.

[NYer]

Already posted here ...

New Rules

[SoothingDave]

I do not understand the constant issues surrounding the manner of receiving/participating in the Eucharist. It seems the form has overtaken the substance.

The "form" here has to do with how one behaves and comports oneself. Which is related to our distinct belief about utter reality of the Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic bread and wine.

Behavior follows belief, but behavior can also teach belief. If we teach our people to show respect for the Eucharist, then they will more easily understand that we believe it is Christ Present.

Put it this way: If you truly belieed that God was making Himself physically Present in your midst would you stand or fall to your knees?

SD

[SoothingDave]

Already posted here ...

Check the times again.

SD

[drstevej]

The link has this graphic...

Is Einstein advocating receiving communion on the tongue?

What a subliminal selection for an ad. LOL

[american colleen]

Those guidelines are sadly ambiguous, IMO. One could make a case for the tabernable or the "presiders" chair being placed just about anywhere as long as it is "suitable."

[SoothingDave]

Those guidelines are sadly ambiguous, IMO. One could make a case for the tabernable or the "presiders" chair being placed just about anywhere as long as it is "suitable."

The renegades will renegade regardless. The problem with this is that it doesn't really address the two situations well. That being your basic parish church with no need for a seperate Eucharistic chapel and a larger more busy Cathedral or historically significant or touristy church that is too active to allow private Eucharitic adoration, where a smaller chapel makes sense.

In any event, the priest mentioned above is being dishonest in telling his flock that the new GIRM is requiring him to move the tabernacle. Which was my original point.

SD

[rogator]

Soothing Dave
Re: #314,315
Been there, done that. The pastor feels the position of his chair is more important. The bishop will back him up. They have the power to say that black is white on an issue like this and have people believe them since folks believe the clergy have a direct pipeline to God.
Along side of illicit songs, dancing girls and a platoon of "extaordinary ministers" (five plus the padre for a crowd of 150-300), I guess this fits right in. At least we still have valid communion; no corn tortilla or honey flavored stuff as I have seen elsewhere.

[SoothingDave]

Been there, done that.

You have my condolances. I just wanted to make sure you had the proper information, in case you didn't.

SD

[Telit Likitis]

Gee, I'd like to see it too. How did you find it?

[american colleen]

I agree with you that the priest in question was being somewhat dishonest.

I think I figured out why the tabernacle is not always on the main altar in parishes where it should be (eliminating as you say, busy Cathedrals and historically significant/busy parishes and including only the bulk of regular local parishes). I've observed around my area that parishes who use EEMs regardless of the need have the EEMs, have them take the hosts out of the tabernacle and put them on the altar table right before the consecration... if the tabernacle was behind the altar table and located on the main altar, then the EEMs couldn't do that as it would be really unseemly to have them going back and forth behind the priest. And so many parishes like the laity to be "involved" (which means a visible job, preferably on the altar) that they place the tabernacle on a side altar (appropriately decorated, of course!) instead of on the main altar as the focal point of the parish.

Not explained well, I know! But IMO, the tabernacle has been relegated to a place of lesser importance so the laity can be more active on the altar without looking too unseemly.

I think the tabernacle is the first thing you should see on entering the church. And I can't figure out why some people still genuflect to the empty altar and don't genuflect in the direction of the tabernacle.

[SoothingDave]

Anyone know what the special "adaptations" are?

Here's something from Adoremus. I haven't heard anythign official on whether these were accepted or not.

SD

[SoothingDave]

I've observed around my area that parishes who use EEMs regardless of the need have the EEMs, have them take the hosts out of the tabernacle and put them on the altar table right before the consecration...

That doesn't seem right at all. The EEM's should be in the congregation until the Agnus Dei.

SD

[Desdemona]

There's an advantage to going to High Mass with the incense and all. You're already standing by the time the priest gets to "May the Lord Accept...."

[american colleen]

Along side of illicit songs, dancing girls and a platoon of "extaordinary ministers" (five plus the padre for a crowd of 150-300), I guess this fits right in.

You probably mean "here I am lord" "on eagles wings" "one bread one body" and all of the other Marty Haugen crappy songs? But sadly, I don't think they are illicit, just crappy banal songs. EEMs... what a can of worms! I've seen priests sit down while the EEMs give out Holy Communion. I've yet (thank you God) to see the liturgical dancing girls. I am kind of shy, but if that ever happens, I will quietly stand up and take my family outta there.

At least we still have valid communion; no corn tortilla or honey flavored stuff as I have seen elsewhere.

Some of the biggest, most thriving parishes have illicit matter for Communion. I think that's what happens when we start to adopt the thought process that externals don't matter - start small and end up being another religion entirely.

[ThomasMore]

Instead of addressing the issue of priestless parishes, bishops think it's important to "tinker" with things like bowing and telling them not to talk in church before Mass, as if they were children.

They SHOULD be dealing with the priestless parish issue. However, they should've been dealing with the reverence issues as well. Too much talking in the Nave which is typically reserved for worship. Church halls are wonderful places for fellowship. Reverence towards the Eucharist is non-existent in some parishes and certainly with many Catholics. A correction of these abuses and other abuses of the GIRM is well in order.

A wise principal for priests and deacons is as follows: Do the RED letters and Read the black letters. No more, no less.

[al_c]

Our pastor told us about this months ago. I was beginning to wonder if he was just doing it on his own. Now I know.