Communion under both kinds

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the Roman Catholic Church, Holy Communion may be given to the faithful who wish to receive either during Mass (the Eucharist) or outside of Mass; this is called the administration of Holy Communion. When it is given during Mass, it may be given under one kind (usually the consecrated bread, referred to as the host), or under both kinds (both the host and the consecrated wine, referred to by Catholics as the Precious Blood). Regular use of Communion under both kinds requires the permission of the bishop, but bishops in some countries have given blanket permission to administer Holy Communion in this way.

Since Holy Communion may be received under one kind (the Sacred Host alone), or under both kinds (both the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood), a coeliac may freely receive Christ in Communion under the form of wine alone, and an alcoholic under the form of bread alone.

"Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it is distributed under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clear 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 relationship between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Father's Kingdom... (However,) Christ, whole and entire, and the true Sacrament, is received even under only one species, and consequently that as far as the effects are concerned, those who receive under only one species are not deprived of any of the grace that is necessary for salvation" (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 281-282).

A detailed account of the historical variations in discipline on this matter can be found in the article of the Catholic Encyclopedia.^[1]

[edit] References