Modification of USA Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds

In a letter dated May 6, 2004 (Prot n. 660/04/L) to Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., chairman of the USCCB Committee on the Liturgy, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, writes concerning a conflict between number 105 of the recent instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum and numbers 36 and 37 of the USA Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds. This conflict concerns “the Instruction’s clear exclusion of any pouring of the Precious Blood after the consecration [which] overturns certain presuppositions that seem to underlie the above-mentioned norms.”

Thus, “the Congregation wishes to modify its original confirmation in regard to numbers 36 and 37 of these Norms. These numbers should henceforth read as follows (alterations in bold):”

At the Preparation of the Gifts

36. The altar is prepared with corporal, purificator, Missal, and chalice (unless the chalice is prepared at a side table) by the deacon and servers. The gifts of bread and wine are brought forward by the faithful and received by the priest or deacon at a convenient place (Cf. GIRM, no. 333). If one chalice is not sufficient for Holy Communion to be distributed under both kinds to the Priest concelebrants or Christ’s faithful, several chalices are placed on a corporal on the altar in an appropriate place, filled with wine. It is praiseworthy that the main chalice be larger than the other chalices prepared for distribution.

At the Breaking of the Bread

37. As the Agnus Dei or Lamb of God is begun, the bishop or priest alone, or with the assistance of the deacon, and if necessary of concelebrating priests, breaks the eucharistic bread.

Other empty […] ciboria or patens are then brought to the altar if this is necessary. The deacon or priest places the consecrated bread in several ciboria or patens […] if necessary, […] as required for the distribution of Holy Communion. If it is not possible to accomplish this distribution in a reasonable time, the celebrant may call upon the assistance of other deacons or concelebrating priests. […]

Two consultations were recently organized by the Secretariat for the Liturgy with composers and pastoral musicians in Washington D.C. (May 6, 2004) and Chicago, Illinois (May 10, 2004) to seek their advice on the provision of music for an English language edition of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia. The recently revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal attributes “great importance” (GIRM, no. 40) to “the use of singing in the celebration of the Mass.” (GIRM, no. 40) Reflecting the view of Musicam sacram, the GIRM then describes the sung parts which are of the greater importance as, first, “those to be sung by the priest or the deacon or the lector, with the people responding,” and secondly, those sung “by the priest and people together” (Instruction Musicam sacram, no. 7).

The BCL consultation was designed, therefore, to help to provide the best possible advice to the International Commission on English in the Liturgy on this dimension of its work on the new Roman Missal. At its June meeting, the BCL will review the advice provided by the consultation and convey its own recommendations to the ICEL Episcopal Board.

Participants in the consultation included Fr. Bruce Harbert (ICEL), Peter Finn (ICEL), Mike McMahon, Bob Batastini, Kevin Vogt, Fr. Paul Colloton, Edward Schaefer, Cyprian Consiglio, O.S.B., Dr. Wm. Turtolano, J. Michael Thompson, Dr. Gordon Truitt, Fr. Robert Skeres, Dr. Leo Nestor, Brother Howard Hughes, Matthew Walsh, James Savage, John Romeri, Alan Hommerding, Fr. Columba Kelly, Calvert Shenk, Anthony Ruff, Sr. Mary Jane Wagner, Rev. Lawrence Heiman, and Fr. Jan Michael Joncas.

Redemptionis Sacramentum and the Authority of the Diocesan Bishop

In recent days, the Secretariat for the Liturgy has received several inquiries concerning the authority of the Diocesan Bishop in relationship to the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum. Specifically, these inquiries have dealt with the responsibilities of the Bishop to apply universal and particular provisions of liturgical law and the extent to which he might modify them. The following questions are provided to summarize the responses to these questions provided by Redemptionis Sacramentum.

What is the role of the Diocesan Bishop in relation to promotion of the Sacred Liturgy?
The instruction itself recalls how the Diocesan Bishop is “the first steward of the mysteries of God in the particular Church entrusted to him, is the moderator, promoter and guardian of her whole liturgical life.” (RS, no. 19) and quotes from the Code of Canon Law, which directs that it pertains to the Diocesan Bishop (CIC, no. 838 §4) “within the limits of his competence, to set forth liturgical norms in his Diocese, by which all are bound.” (RS, no. 21, citing CIC, no. 838 §4)

What role does the Diocesan Bishop exercise in the correction of liturgical abuses?
Therefore, “it is the right of the Christian people themselves that their diocesan Bishop should take care to prevent the occurrence of abuses in ecclesiastical discipline, especially as regards the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and devotion to the Saints. (RS, no. 24) He accomplishes this task by directing, encouraging, and sometimes even reproving, (cf. RS, no. 22) while taking care “not to allow the removal of that liberty foreseen by the norms of the liturgical books so that the celebration may be adapted…” (RS, no. 21)

The instruction notes that liturgical “abuses are often based on ignorance.” (SR, no. 9) How does this impact the Bishop’s ministry?
As chief teacher, the Diocesan bishop should “elucidate the inherent meaning of the rites and the liturgical texts, and nourish the spirit of the Liturgy in the Priests, Deacons and lay faithful so that they are all led to the active and fruitful celebration of the Eucharist…” (RS, no. 22); He should “take care to ensure that the whole body of the Church is able to grow in the same understanding, in the unity of charity, in the diocese, in the nation and in the world.” (RS, no. 22);

Who is subject to the liturgical authority of the Diocesan Bishop?
“All, including members of Institutes of consecrated life and Societies of apostolic life as well as those of all ecclesial associations and movements of any kind, are subject to the authority of the diocesan Bishop in all liturgical matters, apart from rights that have been legitimately conceded.” (RS, no. 22);

How is the Bishop assisted in this regard?
The Bishop is assisted in this regard by liturgical commissions, and other councils or committees who “rely on his authority and his approval so that they may carry out their office in a suitable manner and so that the effective governance of the Bishop in his diocese will be preserved.” (RS, no. 25) The instruction recommends that Bishops re-examine the workings of already existent consultative groups “to consider carefully which changes or improvements should be made in their composition and activity so that they might find new vigor.” (RS, no. 25)

May the Diocesan Bishop change liturgical laws for his Diocese?
In regard to the celebration of the Eucharist, the Diocesan Bishop is given a particular role in the publication of norms for the regulation of the liturgy in his particular diocese. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal [GIRM] assigns to the Diocesan Bishop the publication of norms on concelebration (GIRM, no. 202), service at the altar (GIRM, no. 107), Holy Communion under both kinds (GIRM, nos. 282-283), the construction and renovation of church Buildings (GIRM, no. 291 and 315), posture [GIRM no. 43.3, liturgical music (GIRM, nos. 48, 87), and the establishment of days of prayer (GIRM, no. 373). (see “The Diocesan Bishop and the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, in The BCL Newsletter: July, 2002, page 82. Also available at /liturgy/innews/072002.shtml). Other rights of the Diocesan Bishop to regulate the liturgy are described by documents other than the GIRM, including the regulation of Masses on radio, television and via the internet, and his responsibility to establish a diocesan calendar. With the exception of these and other modifications of the law explicitly assigned to the Diocesan Bishop, no additional changes to liturgical law may be introduced to Diocesan liturgical practice without the specific prior of the Holy See.

Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week 2005
Disciples: Called, Fed and Sent Forth

This is the oldest continuous regional liturgical conference in the United States. In this, its 43rd Year, it seeks to enrich liturgists and those involved in liturgy. The 2005 Conference will be in Dallas, Texas from Tuesday, January 18th, 2005 through Friday, January, 21, 2005.

The keynote speaker will be Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He will not only open up the exploration of what it means to be “Disciples Called, Fed and Sent Forth” but he will preside at the Eucharistic Liturgy on Wednesday.

Additional major speakers will be: Rev. Ed Foley, OFM Cap., Arturo Chavez, Rev. J. Glenn Murray, SJ , Dr. Megan McKenna, Dr. Nathan Mitchell, Rev. Paul Turner, Dr. Maureen Sullivan, Sr. Kathleen Harmon, Pedro Riabalcava, Rev. Rufino Zaragoza and Sr. Joyce Ann Zimmerman. There will be a broad range of workshops: Empowering Prayerful Community, Are you Too Tired to Pray?, What Is All This Singing About?, What’s Behind the Rubrics of the GIRM?, Children and the RCIA, Thank God It’s Sunday” and others.

For more information contact: Diocese of Dallas, Liturgy Office, PO Box 190507, Dallas TX 75219. The telephone number is 214-528-2240. You can also check the websites www.swlc.org or www.cathdal.org.

CUA Inaugurates Institute of Sacred Music, 12-16 July 2004, Washington DC

Musicians and clergy are invited to participate in a week of prayer, in-depth study and colloquy, music-making and festivities centered on the formal opening of the Institute of Sacred Music at The Catholic University of America. The Institute espouses a multi-disciplinary approach to the world of the sacred which is unparalleled in American academic religious institutions.

A faculty of national practioner-scholar-teachers (Marilyn Keiser, Richard Proulx, Monsignor James Moroney, J. Reilly Lewis, organist, James Vail, Gregory Glenn, Frank Brownstead, Kurt Pritzl, Edward Alan Moore, Geraldine M. Rohling, Peter Latona, Leo Nestor) will guide and interact with participants throughout the course of the week. Complete information, including philosophy of the Institute, registration forms, daily schedule, accommodations, costs and faculty biographies is available at http://music.cua.edu/.

Email us at bcl@usccb.org
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