4/28/21
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| Duccio, c. 1281 “Madonna and Child.” |
It might be worth it to review the US norms for Both Kinds at the end of our review here of RS on both kinds.
RS 102-107. The Instruction describes five circumstances when the chalice should not be administered: firstly, as was mentioned, large crowds make difficult gauging quantities of wine; second, accessibility to the chalice is difficult to arrange; thirdly, large quantities make difficult the ascertaining the wine’s quality and provenance; fourthly, sacred ministers or properly formed extraordinary ministers are too few; fifthly, the sign of unity is negated by a notable part of the people preferring not to approach the chalice for various reasons.
RS 103 notes that the option of administering Communion by intinction always remains. The communicant receives by intinction only on the tongue and is not permitted to intinct the host himself. The host used for intinction must be validly consecrated, non-consecrated bread or other matter being altogether forbidden.
All concelebrating priests are obliged to receive Holy Communion under both kinds. The pouring of the precious blood from one vessel into another is completely to be avoided, for fear of anything happening to the detriment of so great a mystery. Neither are vessels such as flagons, bowls or anything not fully in accord with the established norms to be used.
The law, by the action itself being committed automatically gives the sentence of excommunication to anyone “who throws away the consecrated species or takes them away or keeps them for a sacrilegious purpose.” Any action that is voluntarily and gravely disrespectful of the sacred species is to be regarded as pertaining to this case. Casting the sacred species into the sacrarium, or in an unworthy place, or on the ground or any action contrary to these norms incurs upon the perpetrator the penalties laid down.
Entirely and immediately to be consumed, once the distribution of Holy Communion is completed, are whatever may remain of the Body & Blood of Christ in the vessels to be purified, the hosts being either consumed or carried to the place of reservation.
Image: Duccio, c. 1281, “Madonna and Child.”
