ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION UNDER TWO SPECIES, THE EMBRACE OF PEACE AND THE WORK OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION ON EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS
From the beginning of my episcopal Ministry in our Diocese of Barretos, watching as the sacred species are distributed in the body and blood of the Lord, the rite of peace and embrace, the participation of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the rite of Communion, I believe it is important to draw the attention of brothers priests, Ministers and faithful to what the Church determines in relation to these matters.
The use of my faculties, acting as moderator of the sacred liturgy in the diocese and “High priest responsible for divine worship of the Church” (directory for the Episcopal Ministry of bishops, paragraph 145), considering the importance of this matter, I determine that, from this date are observed in all the parishes, in their Churches and Chapels (communities), religious houses and houses of formation the following guidelines:
1) on Holy Communion UNDER TWO SPECIES
According to what determines the instruction REDEMPTIONIS SACRAMENTUM on certain aspects that you should observe and avoid about the Holy Eucharist, in terms of communion under both species (cf. nn. 100-107), underlined that:
One is not allowed to stand up to dip the host in the chalice himself, nor to take in hand the moist wafer, that is, for the distribution of Eucharistic communion only communion in the mouth is permitted. (cf. paragraph 104);
2) ABOUT the Rite of PEACE
According to the Circular letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the discipline of the Sacraments, on the meaning of the Ritual gift of Peace at Mass, June 8, 2014, should avoid in the Eucharistic celebrations some abuses:
-The introduction of a “song of peace”, non-existent in the Roman Rite: means that the song of the greeting of peace does not exist and should be taken out of the celebrations. There may be the greeting, but only without the singing.
-The movement of the faithful to exchange peace: simply welcome people who are nearby, without moving about.
-The priest leaves the altar to give peace to a few believers: the priest must not distance himself from the altar during the rite of peace.
-That in some circumstances, such as the solemnity of Easter or Christmas, or confirmation, matrimony, Holy Orders, Religious professions or the eulogy, the giving of peace is the occasion to congratulate or express sympathy among the gifts: the rite of peace is not the time to give “Congratulations”, “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Easter” or any other salutation.
3) ABOUT the EXTRAORDINARY MINISTRY of SACRED EUCHARISTIC COMMUNION
It is important to highlight that the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion of the Eucharist, in the Eucharistic celebrations, is collaboration, and not replacement. Hence, it is not allowed that the ordained Minister sit down during the Eucharistic communion leaving the distribution of Holy Communion to the burden of the Ministers. The first to distribute Holy Communion is always the ordained Minister, assisted by extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion of the Eucharist; and not replaced by them.
When there is a greater number of ordained Ministers that extraordinary Ministers not perform This Ministry, giving those who are so ordained the possibility to exercise their Ministry as their job by the sacrament of Holy orders.
Waiting understanding and compliance of these determinations from the present date, I ask that this be read to Catholics in masses next weekend. Please provide copies of this document to the members of the teams of Celebration, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion of the Eucharist and to those whose functions are related to this matter.
To all to whom these words arrive, I invoke divine blessings and the lights of the divine Holy Spirit, patron of our diocese.
Given in Barretos, August 4, 2015, liturgical Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, Patron of Priests.
Bishop Milton Kenan Júnior
Bishop of Barretos