Precious Blood may be offered at Mass

By Father Nile Gross
Guest Column

The long hiatus is finally over!

Archbishop Aymond has formally removed any restrictions on the offering of Communion under both kinds in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Effective immediately, parishes may reintroduce Communion from the Precious Blood from the chalice. Some parishes already may have begun the practice.

A few things of note before looking into the blessing of reception of Communion under both kinds.

First, the archbishop made this decision with due diligence and with the support of local and state health officials. The health of the local community is among his highest priorities.

Second, not every parish may be ready to resume this practice, which is understandable. Some parishes never offered Communion from the chalice before the pandemic. Some pastors and pastoral councils may feel it is better to wait until after the flu season or some later time when fear and anxiety of the past few years has waned. The decision is a pastoral decision to be weighed by each individual parish.

Not a requirement

Also, there exists no requirement to receive the Precious Blood, even in parishes where it is being offered. This, too, is a personal decision.

Having said all this, we should look at this as a precious gift. The opportunity to receive the Blood of Christ at Mass connects us directly to the apostles, who received the chalice directly from Christ himself. It connects us to great saints throughout history who did the same.

Reception of the Precious Blood was brought back into common usage in the Roman Rite after the Second Vatican Council. In the reception of the Precious Blood of our Lord from the chalice, we discover the fullness of the Eucharistic symbol: “Take, eat my Body. Take, drink my Blood.”

This symbolic action reminds us that Christ offered his body and blood in sacrificial love to free us from sin and open for us the path to heaven. We are empowered by what we consume to go out into the world and offer ourselves lovingly, just as Christ has done for us.

Points for review

As it has been almost three years since reception from the chalice was paused, it is important for us to review a few notable points.

Theologically, when we receive the Eucharist under the form of bread or wine, we receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. We need not receive from both species to receive all of Christ. This is sometimes misunderstood.

Practically, it is good to remind ourselves of the best practices involved in the distribution from the chalice. The Precious Blood may not be offered in separate cups (plastic, paper, etc.) to individual communicants. If fear of illness exists, that person should refrain from the chalice.

Intinction (the dipping of the Body into the chalice) is allowed for the clergy. The lay faithful may not dip their hosts into the chalice themselves, as this is considered “self-communication,” which is prohibited by the Church.

Some priests may offer the Blessed Sacrament via intinction to the people, but this action can be done only by clergy. Extraordinary ministers may not offer Communion in this manner.

This marks an important moment in the life of the archdiocese. COVID happened and continues to pose serious health threats. However, guided by prayer and the guidance of health officials, Archbishop Aymond has decided it is time to strengthen our liturgical life in this important gesture.

Let us recognize in the Precious Blood Jesus’ profound love for us; and, let us offer our lives to him just as he did for us.

Father Nile Gross is the director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.