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Communion Under Both Kinds

282. According to IG 283, communion under both kinds may be permitted for the following reasons, in addition to those given in the ritual books:
a. for priests unable to celebrate or concelebrate
b. for the deacon and others who perform some role at Mass
c. for community members at their conventual Mass, for seminarians, for all on retreat or participating in a spiritual or pastoral gathering.

283. The diocesan bishop may lay down norms for distribution of Communion under both kinds in his diocese. Regarding the methods of distributing Holy Communion under both kinds, the Bishop's Conference may publish norms, with the recognitio of the Apostolic See.

284. According to IG 284, when communion is distributed under both kinds, as a general rule, the deacon adminsters the chalice.

285. Holy communion in the form of "bread only", should be offered to those who want to take it in that form (IG 284).

286. According to IG 286, if the Precious Blood is given directly from the chalice, the communicant stands before the minister after receiving the body of Christ. The minister says: The blood of Christ; the communicant answers: Amen. The minister hands the chalice to the communicant, who drinks from it, hands it back to the minister and withdraws. The minister wipes the rim of the chalice with the purificator.

287. Intinction is described in IG 287. The communicant holds the communion plate under their chin, and approaches the priest who holds the chalice. The priest takes the Eucharistic host, from the minister holding the vessel, intincts it into the chalice, and showing it, says: The body and blood of Christ. The communicant responds: Amen and receives the sacrament in the mouth from the priest. This changes the instructions of GIRM 246, which had the minister hold the chalice, instead of the priest. Unfortunately the instructions for the acolyte, in IG 191, have not been modified to reflect this, and continue to have him holding the chalice for communion by intinction.

2002 IG 287 returned to GIRM 246, with the acolyte holding the chalice, which is consistent with IG 191.

288. For concelebrants, a wide range of methods are described for them to receive communion, in IG 242 - 249. The blood of the Lord may be taken from the chalice directly, by intinction, through a tube or with a spoon (IG 245). The description of using the tube and spoon has been removed, however. Some methods require a second corporal to be placed at the side of the altar.

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Copyright J.R. Lilburne, 18 March 2002. Last updated 15 April 2002.