Chapter IV
Holy Communion
1. Dispositions for the
Reception of Holy Communion
80. The Eucharist is to be offered to the faithful, among other
reasons, “as an antidote, by which we are freed from daily faults and
preserved from mortal sins,”160 as is brought to light in
various parts of the Mass. As for the Penitential Act placed at the
beginning of Mass, it has the purpose of preparing all to be ready to
celebrate the sacred mysteries;161 even so, “it lacks the
efficacy of the Sacrament of Penance,”162 and cannot be
regarded as a substitute for the Sacrament of Penance in remission of
graver sins. Pastors of souls should take care to ensure diligent
catechetical instruction, so that Christian doctrine is handed on to
Christ’s faithful in this matter.
81. The Church’s custom shows that it is necessary for each
person to examine himself at depth,163 and that anyone who is
conscious of grave sin should not celebrate or receive the Body of the
Lord without prior sacramental confession, except for grave reason when
the possibility of confession is lacking; in this case he will remember
that he is bound by the obligation of making an act of perfect
contrition, which includes the intention to confess as soon as possible.164
82. Moreover, “the Church has drawn up norms aimed at fostering
the frequent and fruitful access of the faithful to the Eucharistic
table and at determining the objective conditions under which Communion
may not be given.”165
83. It is certainly best that all who are participating in the
celebration of Holy Mass with the necessary dispositions should receive
Communion. Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that Christ’s faithful
approach the altar as a group indiscriminately. It pertains to the
Pastors prudently and firmly to correct such an abuse.
84. Furthermore when Holy Mass is celebrated for a large
crowd—for example, in large cities—care should be taken lest out of
ignorance non-Catholics or even non-Christians come forward for Holy
Communion, without taking into account the Church’s Magisterium in
matters pertaining to doctrine and discipline. It is the duty of Pastors
at an opportune moment to inform those present of the authenticity and
the discipline that are strictly to be observed.
85. Catholic ministers licitly administer the Sacraments only to
the Catholic faithful, who likewise receive them licitly only from
Catholic ministers, except for those situations for which provision is
made in canon 844 §§2, 3, and 4, and canon 861 §2.166 In
addition, the conditions comprising canon 844 §4, from which no
dispensation can be given,167 cannot be separated; thus, it
is necessary that all of these conditions be present together.
86. The faithful should be led insistently to the practice
whereby they approach the Sacrament of Penance outside the celebration
of Mass, especially at the scheduled times, so that the Sacrament may be
administered in a manner that is tranquil and truly beneficial to them,
so as not to be prevented from active participation at Mass. Those who
are accustomed to receiving Communion often or daily should be
instructed that they should approach the Sacrament of Penance at
appropriate intervals, in accordance with the condition of each.168
87. The First Communion of children must always be preceded by
sacramental confession and absolution.169 Moreover First
Communion should always be administered by a Priest and never outside
the celebration of Mass. Apart from exceptional cases, it is not
particularly appropriate for First Communion to be administered on Holy
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper. Another day should be chosen instead,
such as a Sunday between the Second and the Sixth Sunday of Easter, or
the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, or the Sundays of
Ordinary Time, since Sunday is rightly regarded as the day of the
Eucharist.170 “Children who have not attained the age of
reason, or those whom” the Parish Priest “has determined to be
insufficiently prepared” should not come forward to receive the Holy
Eucharist.171 Where it happens, however, that a child who is
exceptionally mature for his age is judged to be ready for receiving the
Sacrament, the child must not be denied First Communion provided he has
received sufficient instruction.
2. The Distribution of Holy Communion
88. The faithful should normally receive sacramental Communion of
the Eucharist during Mass itself, at the moment laid down by the Rite of
celebration, that is to say, just after the Priest celebrant’s
Communion.172 It is the Priest celebrant’s responsibility to
minister Communion, perhaps assisted by other Priests or Deacons; and he
should not resume the Mass until after the Communion of the faithful is
concluded. Only when there is a necessity may extraordinary ministers
assist the Priest celebrant in accordance with the norm of law.173
89. “So that even by means of the signs Communion may stand out
more clearly as a participation in the Sacrifice being celebrated,”174
it is preferable that the faithful be able to receive hosts consecrated
in the same Mass.175
90. “The faithful should receive Communion kneeling or standing,
as the Conference of Bishops will have determined,” with its acts having
received the recognitio of the Apostolic See. “However, if they
receive Communion standing, it is recommended that they give due
reverence before the reception of the Sacrament, as set forth in the
same norms.”176
91. In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that “sacred
ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a
reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law
from receiving them.”177 Hence any baptized Catholic who is
not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it
is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely
on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the
Eucharist kneeling or standing.
92. Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive
Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice,178 if any
communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas
where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See
has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or
her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is
consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no
one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is
a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the
hand to the faithful.179
93. The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should
be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some
fragment of it falling.180
94. It is not licit for the faithful “to take . . . by themselves
. . . and, still less, to hand . . . from one to another” the sacred
host or the sacred chalice.181 Moreover, in this regard, the
abuse is to be set aside whereby spouses administer Holy Communion to
each other at a Nuptial Mass.
95. A lay member of Christ’s faithful “who has already received
the Most Holy Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only within
a Eucharistic Celebration in which he or she is participating, with due
regard for the prescriptions of canon 921 § 2.”182
96. The practice is reprobated whereby either unconsecrated hosts
or other edible or inedible things are distributed during the
celebration of Holy Mass or beforehand after the manner of Communion,
contrary to the prescriptions of the liturgical books. For such a
practice in no way accords with the tradition of the Roman Rite, and
carries with it the danger of causing confusion among Christ’s faithful
concerning the Eucharistic doctrine of the Church. Where there exists in
certain places by concession a particular custom of blessing bread after
Mass for distribution, proper catechesis should very carefully be given
concerning this action. In fact, no other similar practices should be
introduced, nor should unconsecrated hosts ever be used for this
purpose.
This Instruction, prepared by the Congregation for
Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by mandate of the
Supreme Pontiff John Paul II in collaboration with the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith, was approved by the same Pontiff on the
Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19 March 2004, and he ordered it to be
published and to be observed immediately by all concerned.
From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments, Rome, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation
of the Lord, 25 March 2004.
Francis Card. ARINZE
Prefect
+Domenico SORRENTINO
Archbishop Secretary
