From the Instruction from Bishop Golka on Resuming the Distribution of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the Diocese of Colorado Springs:
“The Church reintroduced the possibility of receiving the Precious Blood at Mass during the Second Vatican Council in the document Sacrosanctum Concilium, 55. In the United States, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops gave permission to distribute the Eucharist under both kinds during weekday Masses in 1970, and this was extended to Sundays in 1978. With the revisions of the third edition of the Roman Missal, communion under both kinds continues to be encouraged:
“Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it takes place under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clearer expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the connection between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Kingdom of the Father.” The General Instruction further states that “at the same time the faithful should be instructed to participate more readily in this sacred rite, by which the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is made more fully
evident” (GIRM, 281; Norms, 20).
The extension of the faculty for the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds does not represent a change in the Church’s immemorial beliefs concerning the Holy Eucharist. Rather, today the Church finds it salutary to restore a practice, when appropriate, that for various reasons was not opportune when the Council of Trent was convened in 1545. But with the passing of time, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the reform of the
Second Vatican Council has resulted in the restoration of a practice by which the faithful are again able to experience “a fuller sign of the Eucharistic banquet” (Norms, 21).
We will resume the distribution of the Precious Blood of Christ at all Masses beginning on November 19.
Rev. Mark Zacker
Pastor
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