The following is a copy of a letter being mailed to all Ministers of Holy Communion today. Hopefully, if there are questions about a slight change in what the Ministers of Holy Communion do at the lituries, this letter may explain the change.
___________________________
February 14, 2007
Dear Ministers of Holy Communion,
Greetings to you on this quiet day following the snow, sleet and rain. There are two messages. First, and foremost, let me thank you for your assistance to me and your fellow parishioners. Your willingness to serve as a Minister of Holy Communion is, no doubt, a source of special satisfaction. For this gift to the parish, I will always be able to offer prayerful words of gratitude.
My second message is perhaps a reminder to some while to others it may be unexpected. Several months ago, Bishop Kevin Farrell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Washington, sent a communication to me and the other Pastors. His letter was, in essence, a passing on of a directive from the Holy See, in particular from The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
In the directive, which is to be implemented in each parish no later than Ash Wednesday, February 21, 2007, we learn of a change that affects the role of Ministers of Holy Communion. From Tuesday, February 20, 2007 until further notice to the contrary should be sent to the Pastors, Ministers of Holy Communion are to discontinue the purification of chalices and cups used for the distribution of the Precious Blood as well as the purification of ciboria (the vessels used to contain the Body of Christ). The instruction is directed to all Eucharistic liturgies.
Consequently, having completed the distribution of the Sacred Species to the community, simply return the ciboria to the altar and leave them there. If you have distributed the Precious Blood, return to the small table along the back wall of the sanctuary, consuming whatever of the Precious Blood that remains in the cup. Please cover the cup with the corporal that you were using to wipe the sides of the cup. These actions completed, please return to your place in the church.
According to the directive, it is the responsibility of the priest celebrant, a concelebrant priest, a deacon or an acolyte to purify the sacred vessels. At the direction of the celebrant, the sacred vessels will be purified either at the altar or back table before continuing with the liturgy or after the liturgy has concluded.
May God’s blessings continue in your lives.
Gratefully,
Reverend Milton E. Jordan
Pastor
Dear Ministers of Holy Communion,
Greetings to you on this quiet day following the snow, sleet and rain. There are two messages. First, and foremost, let me thank you for your assistance to me and your fellow parishioners. Your willingness to serve as a Minister of Holy Communion is, no doubt, a source of special satisfaction. For this gift to the parish, I will always be able to offer prayerful words of gratitude.
My second message is perhaps a reminder to some while to others it may be unexpected. Several months ago, Bishop Kevin Farrell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Washington, sent a communication to me and the other Pastors. His letter was, in essence, a passing on of a directive from the Holy See, in particular from The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
In the directive, which is to be implemented in each parish no later than Ash Wednesday, February 21, 2007, we learn of a change that affects the role of Ministers of Holy Communion. From Tuesday, February 20, 2007 until further notice to the contrary should be sent to the Pastors, Ministers of Holy Communion are to discontinue the purification of chalices and cups used for the distribution of the Precious Blood as well as the purification of ciboria (the vessels used to contain the Body of Christ). The instruction is directed to all Eucharistic liturgies.
Consequently, having completed the distribution of the Sacred Species to the community, simply return the ciboria to the altar and leave them there. If you have distributed the Precious Blood, return to the small table along the back wall of the sanctuary, consuming whatever of the Precious Blood that remains in the cup. Please cover the cup with the corporal that you were using to wipe the sides of the cup. These actions completed, please return to your place in the church.
According to the directive, it is the responsibility of the priest celebrant, a concelebrant priest, a deacon or an acolyte to purify the sacred vessels. At the direction of the celebrant, the sacred vessels will be purified either at the altar or back table before continuing with the liturgy or after the liturgy has concluded.
May God’s blessings continue in your lives.
Gratefully,
Reverend Milton E. Jordan
Pastor
