New General Instruction of the Roman Missal: Part 4

By Bishop Kevin Manning.

The General Instruction is an accompaniment to the Roman Missal, which is the Book that the priest uses in the celebration of Mass. The General Instruction gives concrete directions about participation in the celebration of Mass.

In Australia we are still awaiting the Holy See’s approval of the English translation of the General Instruction, which will be fully implemented when we have the translation of the new Missal.

The General Instruction seeks to ensure that we will be unified in the manner in which we worship and that our participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice is “full, conscious and active” as envisaged by the Second Vatican Council.

The changes that the General Instruction will effect are not extensive but will require some adjustment, helped by a proper catechesis. Because the official Latin edition of the new General Instruction has been published for some time, some of you will be already quite attuned to the changes that will take place.

Holy Communion

Although we are well aware that the Eucharistic Prayer is the centre of the celebration, the consummation of the Mass is found in Holy Communion in which we eat and drink the Body and Blood of Christ.

Some explanation is required about the distribution of Holy Communion. Firstly, about what we mean by the “ordinary” and “extraordinary” ministers of Holy Communion.

Bishops, Priests and Deacons are the “ordinary” ministers of Communion by reason of their Ordination. It is their privilege as the “ordinary” ministers to distribute to the faithful; this they should do when they are present at Mass.

In addition, the Church provides for the appointment of “extraordinary” ministers of Communion who may assist the “ordinary” ministers in their distribution of the Body and Blood of the Lord when a legitimate pastoral need makes their assistance helpful.

If the numbers of the faithful wishing to receive Holy Communion are large or when Holy Communion is being distributed under both kinds the Bishops or Priests are always the first to distribute Communion. When the Eucharist is distributed under both forms the Deacon ministers the Chalice.

If additional assistance is needed so that the distribution of Communion will take place in an orderly and reverent manner the “ordinary” ministers will enlist the help of lay persons, the “extraordinary” ministers who have been commissioned to assist in this ministry.

It is inappropriate for lay ministers of Communion to function in a manner rightly referred to as “extraordinary” if sufficient of the “ordinary” ministers of Communion are present.

“Extraordinary” ministers always defer to the “ordinary” ministers who through the Sacrament of Holy Orders have been ordained to the service of the Eucharist.

Breaking the Bread

The Breaking of the Bread takes place after the Sign of Peace as the Agnus Dei or “Lamb of God” is begun. The celebrant, alone, or with the assistance of a Deacon, or concelebrating Priests, breaks the Eucharistic Bread. Empty chalices, ciboria or pattens, are then brought to the Altar as needed.

The Deacon, or Priest, distributes the Eucharist to the ciboria and pours the Precious Blood into enough additional chalices as are required. If necessary, the celebrant may call upon other Deacons or concelebrating Priests to assist. “Extraordinary” ministers do not participate in this action of the Breaking of the Bread.

Although it is always desirable that sufficient Hosts be consecrated for each Mass, when it is necessary to distribute Hosts reserved in the Tabernacle one of the Deacons, or concelebrating Priests, may bring the consecrated Hosts to the Altar at this time.

“Extraordinary” ministers

At the appropriate time the celebrant, and the concelebrating Priests, receive Communion and the Communion Song begins. According to the new General Instruction if “extraordinary” ministers are required they approach the Altar as the Priest receives Communion.

In the past these special ministers of Communion came forward at an earlier moment, namely, at the Lamb of God. In the new revision they have to wait until the celebrant and concelebrants have begun to receive Communion.

The celebrant distributes Communion to the Deacon, who then may assist him in distributing Communion to the “extraordinary” ministers. Neither Deacons nor “extraordinary” ministers of Holy Communion are to “self-communicate” or receive Holy Communion in the manner of a concelebrating Priest.

After the Eucharistic Ministers have received Communion the Bishop or Priest reverently hands the vessels containing the Body and the Blood of the Lord to the Deacon or “extraordinary” minister who will assist with the distribution of Communion.

Distributing Communion

The ministers then proceed to the places from which they will offer Holy Communion to the faithful. Holy Communion is offered to the communicant with the simple, but profound words: “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ.” These alone are the proper words for the minister of Communion. The communicant says: “Amen.”

Those processing to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord make a sign of reverence before receiving Communion standing. The Australian Bishops have determined that the fitting gesture of reverence used throughout Australia is to be a bow.

Communicants have the option to receive the Sacred Host in the hand or on the tongue. They may freely choose to receive Holy Communion under one species or under both species. Communicants may drink from the Chalice but they are not permitted to dip the host into the Precious Blood.

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 Priests). Nor may the Chalice be passed from one communicant to another. Whenever Holy Communion is distributed under both kinds there should always be a minister of the Chalice.

Now have your say at NCP DISCUSSIONS

or wait to read the Fifth Article, which will be posted on Monday 7.06.04