Distribution of the Precious Blood

Archbishop Gomez' letter

    

Office for Archdiocese of Los Angeles Divine Worship (213) 637-7262

3424 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles California 90010-2241

   

Directives for the Distribution of the Precious Blood

For the reintroduction of distributing the Precious Blood be attentive to the following practical considerations and liturgical norms:

1. In distributing the Precious Blood, a sufficient number of chalices should be prepared prior to Mass. Wine may be poured into these vessels from a common flagon, but this should occur during the Presentation of the Gifts, and never following the consecration in the Eucharistic Prayer.

2. It is not necessary to place a small drop of water into each chalice, but only the principal chalice used by the priest-celebrant.

3. It always remains the choice of the communicant, not the minister, to receive from the chalice.

4. The USCCB has indicated that the “excessive use of extraordinary ministers might in some circumstances constitute a reason either for limiting the distribution of Holy Communion under both species or for using intinction instead of distributing the Precious Blood from the chalice” (Norms, 24). As well, the Holy See has stated that “the chalice should not be ministered to lay members of Christ’s faithful where there is such a large number of communicants that it is difficult to gauge the amount of wine for the Eucharist... or where a notable part of the people continues to prefer not to approach the chalice for various reasons, so that the

   sign of unity would in some sense be negated” (Redemptionis Sacramentum, 102).

5. Additional information and instructions on proper practice for distributing the Precious Blood may be found on the USCCB website. Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds

   in the Dioceses of the United States of America. These Norms may also be found in the Roman Missal.

6. The chalice is handed to the communicant, it is not poured into the communicant's mouth by the minister.

7. The Priest, Deacon, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion consumes what remains in the chalice(s)

   immediately following the distribution of Communion. It is not to be poured into the sacrarium. (See

   Redemptionis Sacramentum, 107).

8. Concelebrants must always receive Communion under both kinds (Redemptionis Sacramentum, 98). This

   is to be understood in the strictest sense to assure validity.

The following directives comes from Archdiocesan Guidelines for the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

COMMUNION FROM THE CHALICE

13. In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Communion under both kinds, the Body and Blood of Christ, is normative on Sundays and holy days – as well as at weekday Masses. In order to ensure that this is done in a reverent and orderly manner, the availability of enough ministers is essential. Also, ongoing catechesis on the theological and liturgical aspects of this practice is important. The freedom of each communicant to choose or not to choose Communion under both kinds should be stated. If a person is unable to receive Communion under the form of bread, he/she may choose to receive Communion under the form of wine – the Blood of Christ (Norms #24, 25, 46).

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara

    

Office for Archdiocese of Los Angeles Divine Worship (213) 637-7262

3424 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles California 90010-2241

   

Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it is distributed under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clear expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the relationship between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Father’s Kingdom (GIRM #281).

So that this “fuller light” may foster the faithful’s greater participation in the mystery, Communion under both kinds is to be desired in all celebrations of the Mass, although this is not possible in all cases. For in this sacred rite “the sign of the Eucharistic meal stands out more explicitly”, and the act of drinking the consecrated wine, the Blood of Christ, strengthens the faith of communicants in the sacrificial nature of the Mass. Communion under both kinds can therefore manifest more fully the nature of the Mass as a sacrifice and as a sacred banquet, ritually expressing that “the sacrifice and the sacred Meal belong to the same mystery, to such an extent that they are linked to one another by a very close theological and sacramental bond” (Norms #19).

It is the choice of the communicant, not the minister, to receive from the chalice (Norms #46).

14. When the members of the assembly drink from the chalice, ordinarily there should be two ministers of the chalice for each minister with the ciborium; but each community needs to determine what ratio is most suitable. Ministers should stand an appropriate distance from each other to facilitate the Communion procession and not unduly impede the assembly’s easy movement.

MINISTRATION OF THE CHALICE [BLOOD OF CHRIST]

15. The chalice is offered to the communicant with the words, “The Blood of Christ,” to which the communicant responds, “Amen.” No other words or names should be added; and the formula should not be edited in any way. (Cf. GIRM, 161; 284-287). Generally, the communicant should hold the chalice firmly in both hands and drink from it. However, in the case of physical disability or weakness, the minister should be ready to assist in holding the chalice.

16. After each person has received the Blood of Christ, the minister should wipe both sides of the rim of the chalice with a purificator and turn the chalice slightly before repeating the procedure for the next communicant.

17. Any danger of spilling the Precious Blood should be carefully avoided. If, by chance, the consecrated wine should spill, the area should be marked, covered immediately and washed and the water poured into the sacrarium. 18. The chalice may never be left on the altar or another place to be picked up by the communicant for self- communication (except in the case of concelebrating bishops or priests), nor may the chalice be passed from one communicant to another (Norms #44).

19. Following the distribution of Communion, the ministers of the Eucharist consume the remaining Precious Blood from their chalices at a side table or in the sacristy (except as noted below, #28). The ministers of the Body of Christ

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara

    

Office for Archdiocese of Los Angeles Divine Worship (213) 637-7262

3424 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles California 90010-2241

   

or other appropriate people may be asked to assist in the consumption of the Precious Blood if needed. The chalices and other vessels that held the Precious Blood are placed on the side table or taken into the sacristy. Ordinarily, they should be placed on a corporal and suitably covered. Ideally, the designated ministers (deacons) cleanse the chalices and other vessels in the sacristy immediately following the conclusion of the Liturgy. However, all the vessels may be cleansed following the distribution of Communion (Norms #52-53).

20. The Precious Blood may not be reserved, except for giving Communion to someone who is sick and who is unable to receive Communion under the form of bread. The Blood of the Lord is kept in a properly covered vessel and is placed in the tabernacle after Communion. The Precious Blood should be carried to the sick in a vessel that is closed in such a way as to eliminate all danger of spilling. If some of the Precious Blood remains after the sick person has received Communion, it should be consumed by the minister, who should also see to it that the vessel is properly purified (Norms #54).

21. The reverence due to the Precious Blood of the Lord demands that it be fully consumed after Communion is completed and never be poured into the ground or the sacrarium (Norms
#55). It should be remembered that all movements in the liturgy must be carried out with dignity and reverence. Liturgical movements are never hurried.

COMMUNION BY INTINCTION

22. Communion by intinction, that is, by dipping the host into the Precious Blood is legally allowed. However, since it eliminates the communicant’s legitimate option to receive Communion in the hand and denies the right of the faithful to receive Communion under the form of bread only, intinction is not recommended.

23. If a community still chooses Communion by intinction, the following should be remembered:
a. The formula to be used by the minister is: “The Body and Blood of Christ.” No other words or names should be added; and the formula should not be edited in any way. (Cf. GIRM, 161; 284-287). After the communicant responds, “Amen,” the dipped host is placed on the tongue.
b. The communicant is not allowed to dip his/her own host into the cup. It is dipped and administered to the individual by the minister.
c. For further information see Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion under both Kinds (#48 - 50)

CHILDREN AND COMMUNION FROM THE CHALICE

24. In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Communion under both kinds is normative at all Eucharistic celebrations and is offered to all who have received their first Communion. Children are to be prepared catechetically and liturgically for the option of Communion under both kinds.

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara

    

Office for Archdiocese of Los Angeles Divine Worship (213) 637-7262

3424 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles California 90010-2241

   

Special care shall be given when children receive Communion from the chalice. Parents should be instructed that Communion under both kinds is an ancient tradition for children old enough to drink from a cup. (This Holy and Living Sacrifice #49).

DEACONS AS MINISTERS OF THE CUP

**NOTE**
Distribution of the Body of Christ

The following comes directly from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal
160. The Priest then takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants, who usually come up in

procession.

It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated Bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves. The norm established for the Dioceses of the United States of America is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction, Redemptionis Sacramentum, March 25, 2004, no. 91).

When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.

161. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the Priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, The Body of Christ. The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed, in the hand, the choice lying with the communicant. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes the whole of it.

Revised June 2023 Office for Divine Worship

“If Communion is given under both kinds, the Deacon himself administers the chalice to the communicants; and,

when the distribution is over, standing at the altar, he immediately and reverently consumes all of the Blood of

Christ that remains, assisted, if the case requires, by other Deacons and Priests” (GIRM, 182).

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara