Liturgical Changes

Someone wrote a comment, inquiring what the soon to be announced liturgical changes would mean for our parish. Let me respond with as much information as is available at this time. [1] We know that there will be a directive instructing us to follow specific guidelines regarding the purification of sacred vessels following the distribution of Holy Communion. [2] At this point in time no one knows specifically what the directive will require of our Ministers of Holy Communion and the priest celebrating the Eucharistic Liturgy. [3] We will receive a notice from the Archbishop's Director of Liturgy in the near future instructing all parishes how the directive is to be implemented in the parishes.

What the early statements seems to indicate is that the new directives will afford parishioners a longer time for quiet prayer or song after communion while the sacred vessels are purified by the priest, deacon or acolyte.

Whether the purification is to be completed before proceeding to the closing prayers or can be delayed until the Eucharistic celebration has been completed is not known at this time.

Hopefully in the next few months the Liturgy Committee will review the directives that exist in the Guidelines. As a Pastor, I want to know that the liturgical celebrations are in conformity with the directives in the Guidelines.