As we will see, the act of Holy Communion sums up many of the themes and the purposes of the Mass which I have been discussing throughout this series. Themes such as being gathered as the Church, the Body of Christ; the Eucharist making the Church visible; Communion in the life of the Triune God (the Trinity); Christ living in us and we living in Christ; sharing in the Dying and Rising of Christ (the Paschal Mystery); the renewal of our Baptism; the ceelbration of the New Covenant; the offering of ourselves in the One Sacrifice of Christ; and the Real Presence of the Risen Christ’s Body and Blood.
Therefore, I will deal with Holy Communion in the Mass in several parts over the next few weeks.
First, let us look at the ritual actions which occur after the Sign of Peace and the Breaking of the Bread:
The Priest genuflects at the Altar, takes a portion of the Consecrated Host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, and says aloud:
"Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb."
(There is a reference here to Revelation 19:6-9 See HERE. The Church is the Bride of Christ and the Eucharist is being compared here to a wedding feast, a celebration of union and communion)
And together with the people pray:
"Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed."
(This is another Scriptural reference from Matthew 8:8 HERE; we are not worthy to receive Christ by our own merits, but by his grace he gives himself to us to dwell "under our roof," i.e. within us. This is not to sya we are worthless but to recognize that Communion with Christ is a gift not based on worthiness or its lack)
The Priest, facing the altar, says quietly:
"May the Body of Christ
keep me safe for eternal life."
And he reverently consumes the Body of Christ.
Then he takes the chalice and says quietly:
"May the Blood of Christ
keep me safe for eternal life."
And he reverently consumes the Blood of Christ.
After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the ministers who will help with distribution of Holy Communion (the Deacon, if present, and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. See note HERE). The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the ministers, who in the United States show reverence by a bow of the head, and the Priest says:
"The Body of Christ."
The minister replies:
"Amen."
(recall that "Amen" means "it is true." Our "Amen" is a profession of our faith that it is the Body of Christ in truth that we receive.)
And the minister receives the host. In the United States one receives standing. Commnicants may receive in the hand or on the tongue.
The Priest or Deacon then gives the Chalice to each saying:
"The Blood of Christ."
The minister bows his or her head says "Amen" and receives the Chalice and drinks.
The ministers with the Priest then take the Body and Blood of Christ to the Assembly. The Assembly forms a Procession to the various Communion stations, receiving the Body of Christ and they may receive the Blood of Christ from the Chalice if they wish.
(This act of processing expresses our journey together as the Body of Christ, the Church, to receive the Eucharistic Body of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. Communicants receive both the Body and Blood of Christ in each element, since they are receiving the Whole Christ in either element. The sacramental sign is more complete by receiving both the Host and the Chalice; but it is the Communicants' choice as to whether to receive from the Chalice or not)
While the Priest is receiving the Body of Christ, the Communion Chant begins. This accompanies thePprocession until all receive Communion who are able.
(The singing of the Communion song with one voice signifies our communion togetehr, our unity in Christ. The Church desires us to sing this song)
When the distribution of Communion is over, the Priest or a Deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the chalice and also the chalice itself.
Any remaining Hosts are reserved in the Tabernacle. Chalices used for Holy Communioncan be purified after Mass as permitted.
The Priest returns to his chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.
Then, standing at the altar or at his chair and facing the People the Priest says:
"Let us pray."
All pray in silence with the Priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed.
Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim:
"Amen."
Next week: Understanding the Meaning of Holy Communion
