New liturgical texts: bringing Communion to the sick and dying

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By Deacon Frank Agnoli
The Catholic Messenger

In this third article about two retranslated liturgical books, the second chapter of Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass (HC) may be especially relevant, given how many of the faithful serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Their ministry includes bringing Communion to those in hospitals, long-term care facilities or confined to their homes. Priests and deacons use the rites found in The Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of their Pastoral Care (PCS). Laypersons celebrate the rites from HC when bringing Communion to those unable to be at Mass. Under certain circumstances and taking all due care, Communion may be brought “under the species of wine alone to those who are unable to receive it under the species of bread” (55).

This chapter provides three rites: The Ordinary Rite of Communion of the Sick, The Shorter Rite of Communion of the Sick, and Viaticum. See the breakout for an outline of the three rites.

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Those ministering Communion to individuals in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or in their homes will normally use — as the name implies — the Ordinary Rite. The Shorter Rite is to be used only if Communion is being brought to a large number of individuals in the same building and if they are unable to participate in the fuller rite. Even then, parts of the Ordinary Rite may (and should) be added as needed — such as the penitential act, short reading, and/or Lord’s Prayer — in order to truly feed the spiritual needs of those who are sick. Efficiency is not a liturgical (or pastoral) virtue!

The third rite in this chapter is Viaticum. This is truly the final sacrament as we approach death. The Church holds Viaticum to be so important that it teaches that it is a duty to receive it! Anointing of the Sick ought to be celebrated not as “last rites,” but when one is seriously in need and still able to celebrate it fruitfully. Likewise, Viaticum ought to be celebrated before it becomes impossible for the dying individual to receive Communion. The normal minister of Viaticum is the pastor, or another priest charged with the care of souls. A lay minister ought to let their pastor know of the need to celebrate Viaticum, and only lead the rite if he or another priest is not available. If an emergency occurs and there isn’t time to notify the pastor ahead of time, he should be notified after the rite has been celebrated.

As you can see in the table, a number of elements enrich this rite. For example, after the reading, the sick person is led in renewing their baptismal promises, and then a specific prayer for the sick is offered. Immediately after giving Communion to the sick person, the minister adds: “May he protect you and lead you to eternal life” (76). At the end of the rite, the minister says: “May the Lord be with you always, may he strengthen you by his power and keep you in peace.” The rite may conclude with the sharing of the Sign of Peace.

In addition to the hardcover ritual book, publishers are offering “pocket” versions of this chapter.

I will cover Chapter III: Various Forms of Worship of the Most Holy Eucharist in a future edition of The Catholic Messenger.

(Deacon Frank Agnoli is diocesan director of Liturgy and of Deacon Formation.)

 


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