The flu season has come early this year. The California Department of Public Health reports that the incidence of flu and flu-like illnesses is “widespread” and has reached a level requiring that we enact preventive measures to mitigate the possibility of infection at Mass. In order to protect the health and well-being of everyone, Bishop Soto has issued the following directives:
– The use of the Communion cup is suspended temporarily.
– Receive the Body of Christ in the hand (although receiving on the tongue is permitted)
– Do not shake hands. Offer the sign of Peace to those around you with a simple nod, saying “peace be with you.”
– Do not hold hands during the Our Father.
– Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are reminded to cleanse their hands with an alcohol-based antiseptic before and after administering Holy Communion. This also applies to those who take Holy Communion to the home-bound.
The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and other Holy Days does not apply to those who are sick. If you are sick, stay home and take care of yourself. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. And pray for those who are sick. The administration of Holy Communion in both kinds will resume as soon as the Bishop deems it safe and prudent to do so.
The above comes from a Dec. 2 memo from the Sacramento diocese.
A similar memo was issued in January, 2019.
Here are the revisions that should take place:
The use of the Communion cup is permantly suspended
– Receive the Body of Christ in the hand is now forbidden receiving on the tongue while kneeling is mandatory
– Do not shake hands.udring sign of Peace to those around you
– Do not hold hands during the Our Father EVER
– Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are reminded that they are permantly cancelled from assisting at mass
WOW. Folks. Only the Magisterium has the authority, competence, and the right to outline changes in the liturgy. And here we have “bohemond” arrogating all of that to himself/herself. This is the same person who calls people out for being “doctors of the Church,” and other mocking epithets.
Cry me a river. Guess communion in the hand, a sacrilege, is okay just cause the “magisterium” said so?
In March 2018 the Holy Father himself said that communion in the hand is allowed wherever it is permitted. As important as how a person receives communion, folks should instead concern themselves more with the internal and spiritual disposition of their souls as they receive the Body of Our Lord. Harboring a spirit of animosity, hatred, and suspicion against the spiritual shepherds of the Church, in particular against the Pope himself, shows that that soul might not be in communion not only with the Church, but also with Christ Himself. I believe such a person ought not present himself/herself for communion.
Says the doctor of the Church who denies any of the sexual and financial corruption ever happened
For the record, nothing was denied by me. Now if “bohemond” is referring to my claim about the media hype that was the “Clerical Scandal 2018 Media Edition, starring Vigano and featuring McCarrick,”–a movie that came out last year at the heels of the Hollywood #MeToo movement, then yes, THAT was clearly hyped. As for denying anything, that’s “bohemond” just “hyping” up my only claim/point above. Carry on folks.
The self appointed Dr. of Church neglects the fact the McCarrick “movie” as he calls it was real enough to get that old pervert defocked by the Vatican… He under the misguided notion that any in a miter or collar is automatically worth of respect and reverence
To put this more bluntly for “bohemond”: those people wearing a miter and collar have more authority than “bohemond” to alter and amend the liturgical rubrics of the Church. In that respect, the decisions of the Magisterium concerning the liturgy commands respect and reverence for they are acting on behalf of the whole Church, if not on behalf of Christ Himself.
I never mentioned liturgical rubrics once..I am talking about proven criminal behavior or the cover up thereof by men who wear miters or collars (just look at Ireland).
Then it only stands to reason “bohemond” that the vast majority of those who wear miters and collars in the Church are owed the people’s respect and reverence, for only a small fraction of them have been credibly accused of such crimes. Also, we were talking about rubrics….you started out your comment touching upon rubrics.
Yes! Yes! and Yes!
Seems like common sense in a time of a highly infectous disease.
Agreed. I know of no one offended at my parish. I do think it is a bit awkward the first few times as we forget. But a nod and a smile works great with the words, before we look back and adore Christ waiting on the altar for us.
I agree with bohemond on these issues. At my parish, we receive in one form only, most (even little kids) receive on the tongue, few people hold hands during the Our Father and, if there is a sign of peace (some Masses there isn’t) people mostly nod to those immediately around them. There are no EM of HC at daily Mass and only 4 (mostly men) at Sunday Masses.
While I understand most of the concerns raised here, what are the objections to the sign of peace (outside of flu season)? Throughout Christian history, it has been practiced in different ways in different places and at different times. But, can anyone provide a theological or liturgical reason for not following the Roman MIssal (#128) “… all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion and charity. The Priest gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister.” As an Eastern Catholic, we practice the sign of peace less frequently, yet, with an embrace. I think we should follow the Church (and Biblical) admonition to give a sign of peace to one another, especially while at Mass, when those receiving the Body of Christ are most in communion with one another. A bow, it seems to me, could be an appropriate local custom. But, a head nod or a ’60’s “peace sign” seem to be merely imported from late 20th century American culture and not ecclesial or liturgical gestures. My thoughts. And, again, might someone give me a theological or liturgical reason (for Roman Catholics) to disregard the rubrics of the Roman missal?
None of these things were issues before 1962. The normative manner of receiving Our Lord, (kneeling, on tongue, from priest, using paten) precludes these problems, especially profanation (particles of Him dropping to the floor).
The Old Rite had it Right.
Then the cognitive dissonance: “Extraordinary Ministers” employed EVERY Sunday — thus making them ‘Ordinary’ — especially when they’re completely unnecessary! Symbols matter. The ancient discipline of ONLY consecrated hands of an ordained minister touching the sacred vessels and Our Lord Himself reinforced the truth of the Real Presence.
How long, O Lord, how long?