Communion in Both Kinds
Rector’s Roundup for November, 2021
Parish Family-
I am happy to notify you that beginning November 28th, the First Sunday of Advent, the Blessed Sacrament will again be offered to the faithful "in both kinds." This means that at every Mass you will have the opportunity to partake both of the Host and of the Chalice.
Anyone may choose to continue receiving the Host alone. The Church holds that we receive the fullness of Christ's Body and Blood in receiving the Blessed Sacrament. We do not receive only half of Christ if we receive the Host (or the Chalice) alone. We receive Christ, and the fullness of his divine life, wholly under each species. St Thomas Aquinas made this quite clear when he pointed out that "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 Theologiae, III, q.80, a.12, ad3)
Nonetheless, it is a good and holy thing to receive both the consecrated bread and wine as our Lord asked us to do. Throughout the Bible, wine is representative of joy, celebration, and victory. Psalm 104 speaks of wine which "gladdens the heart of man." At the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus offers the Chalice and says, "I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matt. 26:29). As we partake of the Blood of Christ, we are reminded that it is a participation in the victory of our Lord over sin and death, and a joining in the eternal worship of Christ by the heavenly host. In particular, the Chalice reminds us of the inbreaking of God's Kingdom here and now. The Father's kingdom, of which Jesus spoke, is not only a future reality, but a current reality unfolding through the ministry and witness of his Church.
No doubt, some may have ongoing concerns with the spread of COVID or other sickness. There is little evidence that there is any danger in receiving from the common Chalice. Many studies have been done, both by Church and secular authorities, and it has time and again been shown that there is very little risk of passing on sickness from one person to another. If there were, I assure you I would spend most of the year sick from consuming what remains in the chalice at the end of Communion! Nonetheless, those who are still uncomfortable receiving in both kinds are asked to simply cross their arms over their chest so that the Chalice Bearer knows you do not wish to receive.
Any time we take a moment to think about our eucharistic practices and devotions, it is worth reminding ourselves of the biblical disciplines surrounding reception of the Holy Communion:
One must have been baptized with water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, as our Lord commanded (Matt. 28:19)
One must be in love and charity with others (Matt. 5:23-24)
One must have prepared to receive Holy Communion by repentance and fasting (1 Cor. 11:27-28, Matt. 6:14-15)
One must believe in the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, as he himself taught in John chapter 6, and of which St Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians chapter 11.
It is customary to receive the Host on the tongue, so as to avoid any risk of the Blessed Sacrament dropping or being disrespected. One may also receive on the palm, provided the Host is immediately brought to the mouth and consumed. If you are unprepared or unable to receive Holy Communion, you may remain in your pew in prayer, or may come forward to receive a blessing by crossing your arms across your chest.
Should there be something which prevents you from receiving the Blessed Sacrament, be it a lingering sin or some other concern, the instructions given in "The Exhortation" found in the Book of Common Prayer (pg 147 in the 2019 BCP; pg 316 in the 1979 BCP) ask that you go to a priest for sacramental confession or counsel. All of our clergy are available to hear your confession by appointment, and we are also available to help you prepare for it.
I know all of you will join with me in giving thanks to God for this further step toward recovery from the challenges of COVID!
Please note some of the things going on in the next few weeks:
Nov. 14th - Bookstore Open House - 9-10:30am & Noon-12:30pm
Nov. 21st - The Feast of Christ the King - 8am Low Mass, 10:30am Solemn High Mass
Nov. 24th - Thanksgiving Eve - 6pm Low Mass with Hymns
Nov. 28th - First Sunday of Advent - 8am Low Mass, 10:30am Choral Mass with Great Litany
Dec. 5th - Lessons & Carols - 6pm
“O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of thy passion: Grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.” (2019 Book of Common Prayer, pg. 683)
In Christ,
Fr Joseph Francis SSC
Rector