One of the notable developments of the last 150 years of liturgical renewal is the practice of offering Communion under both species at Mass. The principle liturgical document of the Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium, indicates it in this manner:  “communion under both kinds may be granted when the bishops think fit, not only to clerics and religious, but also to the laity, in cases to be determined by the Apostolic See, as, for instance, to the newly ordained in the Mass of their sacred ordination, to the newly professed in the Mass of their religious profession, and to the newly baptized in the Mass which follows their baptism.” [SC 55]

In recommending the offering of the Precious Blood at Mass, the Church has consistently taken care to reinforce the theology of “concommitance” as explained by Saint Thomas Aquinas. ““Nothing is lost by the body being received by the people without the blood: because the priest both offers and receives the blood in the name of all, and the whole Christ is present under either species.” [Summa III] This has been historically important in that this was one of the many controversies of the 15^th and 16^th centuries during the Protestant Reformation. 

The parishes of the Diocese of Jefferson City have by and large made Communion under both species standard practice for over 40 years for most Sunday Masses. Many parishes offer the Precious Blood at daily Mass. My perception of this practice is that the faithful experience the reception of the Precious Blood as a more conscious and active participation in the liturgy. Theologically and sacramentally, the faithful receive the fullness of Jesus Christ, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity just by receiving the Sacred Host. We don’t receive “more” of Jesus by receiving from the chalice.

Most of the time when we think of liturgical catechesis, we think of being taught about the meaning of the liturgy by understanding its symbols and actions. The primary liturgical catechesis, though, is the liturgy itself teaching us about the mysteries of our faith. We learn by doing. The words and actions form us, they catechize us, about our salvation in Jesus Christ. Receiving from the chalice can thus make us more attentive to the rich scriptural theology of blood, especially as the life force of the person in the Old Testament. Consuming the Blood of Christ under the appearance of wine could make us attentive to the many parables of Christ where the grape, the vineyard, and the wine reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom. 

All of this leads to a deeper faith in the Real Presence of Christ, leaving our human senses aside and receiving Jesus Christ in Holy Communion, as the hymn teaches us:  Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. 

Health and hygiene practices due to the pandemic severely disrupted many common practices at our liturgies. While we have managed to resume most of our liturgical customs, Communion under both species is still not offered. The Worship Commission discusses this regularly. There have been three main reasons for the delay. First is that the priest and the deacons were not quite ready to resume the practice because of the health implications of the purification of the chalice, which is reserved to them. The second reason was that we would need to reactivate more Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the Sunday Masses. Ensuring Extraordinary Ministers at all the Masses was just not possible. The final reason was that before this time, the number of faithful who were comfortable with receiving from the chalice was not sufficient to warrant its resumption.

It is evident that the practical and worldly seemed to overcome the liturgical values we hold so dear. But I encourage you to read Chapter Four, section four of “Redemptionis Sacramentum: On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist” by Cardinal Arinze. The document illustrates the caution that must prevail when addressing the sacred liturgy, lest abuses or sacrilege take place. 

The Worship Commission met on April 2^nd to review the practice of offering Communion under both Species. We decided to take a gradual approach.  A survey was taken at the 9:00 AM Mass. A large majority of participants indicated that they would receive the Precious Blood if it was offered at Mass. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass would offer the best opportunity to ensure there were sufficient Extraordinary Ministers to assist. We will resume the practice at the 9:00 AM Mass on the feast of Corpus Christi. On occasion, such as the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, and the Masses for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, the Precious Blood also will be offered.

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ is on Sunday, June 11. This will give us the Easter Season to reactivate, train, and commission Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We will then offer Communion under both Species at least at the 9:00 AM Mass. In the meanwhile, we will be considering preparations for resuming the chalice for the faithful at the other Sunday Masses and the Saturday Vigil. 

One final request. The Worship Commission has been able to identify coordinators for the various liturgical ministries. At the moment we have coordinators for readers, prayer and devotions, sacristans, ushers, servers, RCIA, and music. That has really helped reengaging folks in the many ministries of our worship. We need two more coordinators for important liturgical roles that will allow us to make our ministries more resilient to the challenges that come our way, especially in training and scheduling.

A coordinator for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will assist me and the deacons in training, commissioning, and scheduling. The pandemic has affected this ministry greatly and to resume its proper role, strong leadership is required. This is a great opportunity for someone to fulfill their parish stewardship responsibilities. The sooner we can identify a coordinator, the faster we will be able to resume our customary practices. 

The other open coordinator role is for art and environment. Through the years, various clergy, parish staff, and volunteers have taken responsibility for decorating the church for the liturgical seasons. While the Seasons of Advent and Lent, and the Christmas and Easter Solemnities catch our attention the most, actually throughout the year there are many occasions when we can highlight different aspects of the mysteries of the liturgical year through decoration and adornment. Again, this is a great opportunity to share the responsibilities for parish activities, involve more people, and lighten the load for all.

If you are interested in learning more about the role of a liturgical coordinator, please contact me through email or call the parish offices.