ASK DEACON MIKE
A
parishioner sent me this question. When
we were last in Florida in December, the priest said there is a new way they
must dispose of the left over Precious Blood at mass. What remains in
the other cups is poured into the chalice and the priest consumes it after
Communion. I thought he said this new instruction came from the
Pope. I noticed it wasn't being done at St. Philip's when we came
home. If the Church is universal why is there a difference in some parts
of the Mass from one part of the country to another?
This is an excellent question because
it addresses both a reality and a perception.
Let me begin with the perception.
Certain cultural traditions do appear from place to place. This may cause the perception that the Mass
is different from one region to another.
However these differences do not influence the structure or the validity
of the Mass. There is no difference in
the Mass from one part of the country to another or from one country to
another. The Mass consists of two main
parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In the first part we encounter the Word of
God as given to us in the scriptures.
The meaning of that Word is explained to us in the homily. In the second part we encounter Jesus, the
Word made Flesh Who now dwells among us.
There are no deviations from this structure.
There
is a reality that does exist and the person who asked this question astutely
picked up on it. There are differences
from place to place as to how particular aspects of the Mass are conducted. Consuming of any remaining portions of the
Precious Blood is a good example. There
is a recent directive from the Vatican that instructs us to look closely at the
manner by which any remaining Consecrated Elements of the Eucharist are
disposed.
In
the past the Church permitted us to either consume any remaining Precious Blood
(this could be done by the priest or deacon or by the Extraordinary Ministers
of Holy Communion) or dispose of any remaining portions in the Sacrarium (a
sink that has piping directly into the ground, not into a disposal
system). These have been our methods at
St. Philip Neri for many years.
The
Church has now issued some changes in order to cut down on any opportunities
that might lead to disrespect and improper handling of the Sacred
Elements. This directive now states
that only the priest or deacon (in other words only someone who has been given
the faculties to do so in the Sacrament of Holy Orders) may dispose of any
Consecrated Bread or Wine.
Now
to the guts of the question: why is
this observed in one place and not another?
What
really determines when changes are set into motion is the amount of time it
takes to properly instruct people about these changes. The Church never makes a change without
first preparing people for the change.
This takes time. It is up to the
individual bishop of a diocese to determine how the people are to be instructed
and when the people are ready for the change.
We will make this change in our parish as soon as we have the
opportunity to educate the community and bring all of our Extraordinary
Ministers of Holy Communion together. I
cannot tell you for sure exactly when this will happen. However, be assured we will comply with the
Vatican directive at the appropriate time.
Again, I would like to thank the person who sent this question and remind you that you, too, can send me any questions you may have concerning the Church, our liturgies, the Sacraments or anything else related to faith and morals. I would also like to remind you that Holy Week is this week. Both the Holy Thursday Mass and the Good Friday Passion Service will take place at 7:00 PM. The great Easter Vigil begins at 8:00 PM on Holy Saturday. Please keep those who will be baptized, confirmed and receive their first Communions in your prayers. May our Risen Lord fill you with hope and joy for your own Resurrection.
God bless you. I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks