| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Communion under both species | Joy | Thursday, March 28, 2019 |
Question: If administering Holy Communion during Mass under one species(Body or Blood) is sufficient and sacramentally valid, then why do we give Holy Communion under both species? |
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| Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCD, LTh, DD, LNDC
Dear Joy: While the body, blood, soul, and divinity is present is both species, the distribution of both species is a more perfect image of Christ, who was broken in body, and who shed blood. Allowing communion under both species is a rather recent thing. From the thirteenth century to recent times, the Church allowed communion only with the species of bread. I believe one reason this rule was made was to accentuate that each species is whole unto itself. Certainly, we see people today who are not properly catechized on this and who even get upset if they cannot communicate with both species. I guess the Church in those days knew what they were doing. God Bless, Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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