Office of Divine Worship
Catholic Diocese of Joliet

Specific Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion under Both Kinds 

-and- 

Additional Bishop's Adaptations

Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois

The governance of the discipline of concelebration

• Continue current parish and diocesan practices  

• Males and females may participate in this ministry

• Age and functions are established by each parish  

On June 15, 2001 the Latin members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments confirmed these norms on March 22, 2002.  On Sunday April 7, 2002, the Second Sunday of Easter, these norms became particular law for all Latin celebrations of the Sacred Liturgy in the dioceses of the United States of America.

These rubrics provide for the diocesan bishop to establish particular norms for his diocese, which are to be observed wherever the Eucharist is celebrated in the diocese. In conformity with the Conference’s confirmed Norms, the following regulations for the Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois are established and the mandatory implementation date for use of the Conference Norms and the diocesan norms throughout the Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois is December 1, 2002, the First Sunday of Advent.

When Communion Under Both Kinds May Be Given

In addition to the instances specified in the ritual books, General Instruction, Sundays and major feasts, the priest in charge of the parish and/or institution is given the right to determine when communion under both kinds is celebrated.

Diocesan Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers

People aspiring to be Extraordinary Ministers must be confirmed Catholics who are at least of high school age. High school age students under the age of 16 minister for one year.  For those 16 years and older, the term for ministering is three years with a possible renewal of an additional three years.

Since the Extraordinary Minister fulfills an instituted ministry, those aspiring to become an Extraordinary Minister must be given some spiritual enrichment, Eucharistic doctrine updating, and ritual training before their names are sent to the Bishop for mandating.

Upon completion of the necessary training, their names are presented to the Bishop. Following his approval, the Rite of Institution of Extraordinary Ministers (Book of Blessings, Chapter 63) is celebrated.

Consuming of the Precious Blood

Permission is granted to Extraordinary Ministers to assist the priest and deacon in consuming the Precious Blood remaining after the Communion Rite has been completed. This consumption is completed at the altar or credence table before the cups are brought to the sacristy. As with any action within the Eucharistic celebration, this procedure is completed with great reverence and respect.

ADDITIONAL BISHOP'S ADAPTATIONS

Norms established November 2001:

·        In renovated church buildings where there is no space for a separate chapel of reservation, the tabernacle will be placed in the sanctuary apart from the altar of celebration, so as to not distract from the liturgy.

·        Should the parish decide on reserving the Blessed Sacrament within the sanctuary, the placement of the tabernacle should not deflect attention from the altar during the celebration of Mass nor should the priest have his back to the tabernacle. The tabernacle should be placed so that those who wish to spend time in private adoration are not distanced from the tabernacle, nor are they distracted by other devotions in the church building. The area for private devotion is to be accessible to the physically challenged.

·        The use of glass, plexi-glass or other clear materials for the tabernacle is prohibited.

·        In renovated church buildings with adequate space and in new buildings, consideration should be given to providing a separate chapel of reservation suitable for adoration and for the private devotion of the faithful. The chapel should be easily visible as one enters the church building.

·        The Chapel of Reservation should not be used for daily Mass.

·        Before a parish or mission decides on the placement of the tabernacle, parishioners should be given education on the theology of the Eucharist as it pertains to the celebration of the Mass and the reservation of the Sacrament for ministry to the sick and private devotion.

POSTURE

Uniformity of Posture

 We are a people gathered around the Lord’s Table as a holy people, a chosen people and a royal priesthood. We do so united in giving thanks and praise to God in our shared celebration of Word and Sacrament. As we gather we are called to be a people, one in mind and heart, who show by their words and actions that they are not individuals but members of one family. In this sense, the rituals of the Church call for uniformity, not individualism. Whatever action is done – sitting, standing, kneeling, processing, singing, listening, or verbal response – should be done as one people united with one another at the celebration of the Eucharist.

Sign of Reverence

 As people united in our ritual posture, we are also called to be people of reverence. To be reverent means to approach a person, place or item with great dignity and respect. In gathering for the celebration of the Eucharist, it is important to keep in mind that whatever action is being fulfilled in the presence of the people of God ­ that is the Assembly - must reflect not only a respect for them but also a respect for the presence of Christ in the Word, in His Body and Blood, and in the Minister.

OTHER CHANGES IN POSTURE

The faithful should STAND from the response “May the Lord accept the sacrifice…..” before the prayer over the gifts to the end of the Mass, except at the places indicated later in the paragraph.

·        The United States adaptation is to begin kneeling after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer; except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration.

·        In the dioceses of the United States of America, for a good reason, on special occasions (for example, in the case of a funeral, wedding, or when civil leaders are present) the priest may offer the sign of peace to a few of the faithful near the sanctuary.

The people will remain standing after the Agnus Dei until the completion of the communion procession, or the people will kneel, as has been the custom of the parish.

·        Each parish will determine what posture is used from the end of the Agnus Dei to the completion of the communion procession.  

Posture and Sign of Veneration for the Reception of Holy Communion

In light of the need to constantly bear in mind our call to uniformity and signs of reverence, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops has established the proper posture and the veneration to be made prior to receiving Holy Communion. The norms were established as a response to the provisions of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal requesting that the Conference of Bishops make several adaptations to the universal ritual.

In the dioceses of the United States the posture for the reception of Holy Communion is standing. The sign of reverence to be given before receiving the consecrated host and the Precious Blood is a bow of the head. In addition to this, the communicant may receive the consecrated host either on the tongue or in the hand.

The bishops, in establishing standing as the normative posture for receiving Holy Communion, are calling us to an attitude of uniformity and reverence which seeks  a  single  posture.  Our  bishops  also  remind  us  in  their  document  that regardless of the communicant’s posture they should not be refused the Eucharist. Respective of this, additional catechesis on the proper posture and sign of reverence will be given to individuals by a member of the pastoral staff when deemed appropriate. There are many reasons for standing while receiving Holy Communion. Standing shows respect for a person and/or their office. In the Communion procession we stand as we move forward together as God’s people to the altar respecting the Sacrament we are about to receive. For many, standing is a physical necessity. Standing for the reception of Holy Communion is now a ritual of unity for the people of United States. We have been called to join with each other in proclaiming our unity as a people who respect each other and the sacredness that enfolds us.

In conformity with Redemptionis Sacramentum the following procedure has been approved by Bishop Imesch for mandatory implementation in the Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois on the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 2004.

·   When Holy Communion is to be distributed at Mass under the form of both kinds, during the preparation of the altar, cups filled with wine are to be placed on the altar. These cups are to be placed on a separate corporal on the side of the altar. The chalice and ciborium are to have their own corporal. These cups are never placed in front of or around the chalice and ciborium.

·   The wine to be used to fill the chalice is brought to the altar (along with the other gifts) during the presentation of gifts. As the chalice is prepared a small amount of water is poured into the chalice. Water is not to be poured into the separate cups.

·   When Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are used to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion, they may take a position behind the altar in the sanctuary area during the singing/recitation of the Lamb of God. After the priest (and deacon) has received Holy Communion, he/they proceed to the Extraordinary Ministers and distribute Holy Communion to them. After the Extraordinary Ministers have received Holy Communion, they approach the altar and receive from the priest or deacon the vessel from which they will assist with the distribution of Holy Communion.

·   Metal is the preferred material from which the Holy Communion Cups are made. Crystal (e.g. Waterford, etc.) may be used as long as it is of high quality, substantial and not easily broken.

·   With more and more parishes establishing ‘year round’ Catechumenate processes, there is the reality that such parish Candidates are ready to be received into the Catholic Church at different times of the year other than at the Easter Vigil.

·   The Easter Vigil remains the preferred time for the reception into Full Communion. Pastors who recognize the development of those seeking entrance into Full Communion outside of the Easter Vigil may celebrate the Reception into Full Communion on other alternative feasts during the year, mainly the Baptism of the Lord, Pentecost, and Christ the King.

For a number of years now there have been different parish practices regarding the reception of First Reconciliation. For a time First Reconciliation after First Eucharist was permitted. However, both the Catechism and the Code of Canon Law prescribe that First Reconciliation should normatively precede First Eucharist. This was recently reaffirmed in the Redemptionis Sacramentum.

·  All parishes of the diocese are to provide for the preparation and first reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the first reception of the Sacrament of Eucharist.

Calendar for the Proper diocese and the selection of Proper Masses

January 10      Commemoration of the death of Bishop Romeo Blanchette (diocesan celebration on the Sunday closest to the 10^th)

January 12      St. Marguerite Bourgeoys

April 9             Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral of St. Raymond

December 3    St. Francis Xavier, Patron of the Diocese  

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