Holy Communion offered under kinds - Body and Blood

Starting the Feast of Christ the King 2019, Communion will be offered under both kinds for all the Sunday Masses at Prince of Peace Parish. You will have the opportunity to receive the Precious Blood from a communal cup every weekend hereafter.

Why are we choosing to do this now? First of all, it is the norm throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Second, this is the end of the Liturgical Year and the beginning of a new one, and a good time to implement it. Third, this is a fuller sign of participation in the of passion and blessing of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. We are suffering right now in our parish communities. We are experiencing the death and loss, transformation and hope, particularly with the recommendation of closing another church building, and also with all of the changes that are necessary to be a people On Mission! This is a good time to participate in the cup of suffering and sacrifice, the cup of mercy and new life!

Four things to keep in mind as we begin to offer the Precious Blood from communal cups.

First, it is a choice to receive one, or the other, or both. You are receiving and participating in the fullness of Jesus Christ whatever way you choose. There is an instruction on the celebration of mass called the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM). It states:

...the communicant’s “Amen” is a profession in the presence of the saving Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity, who now gives life to the believer. The communicant makes this act of faith in the total presence of the Lord Jesus Christ whether in Communion under one form or in Communion under both kinds. It should never be construed, therefore, that Communion under the form of bread alone or Communion under the form of wine alone is somehow an incomplete act or that Christ is not fully present to the communicant. (GIRM 14, 15)

Second, receiving under both kinds is a fuller sign of the eucharistic banquet, for Christ at the Last Supper said both, “take and eat, this is my body” and “take and drink, this is my blood”. Again the GIRM states:

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. (GIRM 20)

Third, be respectful of others who will be receiving the communal cup. If you are ill with a communicable illness, please do not receive the cup.

Forth and very practically, this will change the communion pattern in both St. Peter and St Adalbert church buildings. From now on everyone will come forward up the center aisle, and return by way of the side aisles. Those with physical difficulties can sit either in the front or the back of church and ministers will bring communion to you under both kinds, either at the beginning or end of the communion procession.