6th Sunday of Easter
1 May 2005
Dear Friends in Christ,
In recent months, the Church has issued two new instructions on the Most Holy Eucharist, the purpose of which is to ensure the correct, devout, and reverent celebration of Mass, and I am happy to report that we need to make only one minor modification to conform to the new norms.
Beginning on Sunday 8 May 2005, the entire congregation should stand when the priest steps to the side of the altar to wash his hands near the end of the Offertory Rite, and the sign to stand will now be the priest extending his hands over the bowl held by the altar server for the hand washing. This simple adjustment of when to stand will allow the final part of the Offertory Rite (from "Pray brethren…" to "May the Lord…") to take place with the congregation standing, whether or not incense is used. And that explains this modification: When incense is used at Mass, the congregation is now already standing for that concluding part of the Offertory Rite. This new custom should be observed at all Masses, including weekdays, beginning with the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
In addition to this simple change, allow me to remind you of the following norms which govern our celebration of Mass:
- We should arrive in church well before Mass begins and remain in church until after the priest has exited the sanctuary at the conclusion of Mass. Those who habitually arrive late or leave early should not receive Holy Communion; to do so without the proper disposition is an act of sacrilege.
- We should make an act of reverence before receiving Holy Communion; this can be a bow of the head (preferred in the US), a sign of the Cross, or a genuflection.
- Holy Communion should be received on the tongue, but by a special indult we are permitted to receive the Sacred Host in the hand. Those who receive Holy Communion in the hand should NEVER walk with the Host; please consume the Host immediately.
- All are encouraged to receive Holy Communion from the chalice at all Masses where the Sacrament is administered under both Species, and those who do so should make a second act of reverence. No one, however, is permitted to intinct the Host in the Precious Blood for himself.
- Only Catholics in full communion with the Church should receive Holy Communion. Non-Catholic Christians and Catholics who do not regularly attend Mass, who are in grave sin, or who are married outside the Church should not receive Holy Communion. Those who cannot receive Holy Communion, however, are invited to come forward for a blessing, indicating this desire by crossing their arms across their chest.
Father Newman